Talk to me about PST HP120s and Hydro - First hand accounts only please

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A few weeks ago my (7) HP PST's once again ran the hydro gauntlet and all survived, thank goodness! ...especially since there are no longer any new HP galvanized replacement tanks available. So far I've been lucky, with PST maintaining the exemption and my dive shops taking my tanks to a hydro facility in Dallas that has a clue about actually following the special PST testing procedures. So I'm good for another 5 yrs, who knows what the more distant future will bring.
 
It looks like the OP has gone in a direction. I did not see what I believe is the correct reply above so I will add to the thread for the sake of future browsers.

Hot dipped galvanized cylinders such as PST or Worthington / Sea Pearls require that a rounding procedure be conducted prior to the actual hydro test. This amounts to pressurizing the cylinder and then relaxing it prior to the actual test cycle. I believe it has something to do with normalizing surface stresses so the hydro test can measure the true elasticity of the cylinder. Failure to do this step can result in a "stiff" cylinder that fails hydro.

While REE is part of every hydro test the need for a "special procedure" usually applies to getting the + symbol on a non special permit cylinder. The OP's HP120 is a special permit cylinder.

Here is the text conversion of the PST PDF file:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pressed Steel Tank Co., Inc.

1445 South 66th St.
Milwaukee WI 53214
Ph: (414) 476-0500, Fax: (414) 476-9881
www.pstscuba.com


PST Technical Bulletin D100-E
Procedure for Hydrostatic Retesting of Hot Dip Galvanized Scuba Cylinder Revised 1/01/03


Steel scuba cylinders manufactured by PST must be re-inspected and retested at least every five years in accordance with the Code of Federal regulations
Title 49 CFR 173.34 (US) or CSA B339 (Canada).

This bulletin describes procedures that must be performed prior to retesting each cylinder. The cylinder must be prepared and test system checked in order
to obtain accurate results in the hydrostatic expansion retest for galvanized steel cylinders. All PST scuba cylinders made starting in 1952 are protected
from corrosion by a hot dip galvanized coating. This hot dip galvanized coating may affect the readings from the hydrostatic test, therefore failure to
prepare the cylinder and perform the test system check in accordance with this procedure may result in rejection of a perfectly acceptable cylinder.

Cylinder Preparation Procedure:

1. Remove the plastic boot.
2. Remove any crusty white corrosion deposits. Crusty deposits are most likely to form inside the removable plastic boot if the owner has not
routinely rinsed saltwater residue from this area.
3. Do not use aggressive acidic or caustic metal cleaners on the galvanized surface. The mottled gray-white appearance of used galvanized
cylinders is normal.
Test System Check Procedure :

1. Visually inspect the cylinder , fill it with water and place in the water jacket, as in your normal practice for any testing.
2. Zero the burette or expansion measuring system and pressurize the cylinder to 85% to 90% of the prescribed test pressure. Warning: DO NOT
EXCEED 90% [49 CFR 173.34(e)(4)(v)] of test pressure.
3. Hold the pressure and determine that the system is free of leaks.
4. Release the pressure to zero.
5. Zero the burette if necessary.
6. Proceed to retest the cylinder at the required test pressure.
7. Repeat this procedure with each hot dip galvanized cylinder to be tested.
This test system check procedure is specifically authorized under the provisions of 49 CFR 173.34 (e)(4)(v) and CGA C-1, Methods for
Hydrostatic Retesting, 1.4.

This procedure is necessary to obtain accurate test results. The provision of the PST Warranty therefore requires that the cylinders are prepared for
test and the system check is performed in accordance with these procedures. If these procedures are not followed in the retesting of hot dip
galvanized cylinders, the owner should be given prior notice by the retester that the warranty may be invalidated by the retester.

Related test bulletin PST Bulletin D101-E, Retesting DOT-E9791 or TC-SU 4349 Advanced Technology Cylinders. PST high-pressure (3442-psi)
cylinders have a special test requirement based on their design and the DOT/TC requirements. This bulletin provides the necessary information.
Following this procedure will assure an accurate retest for PST scuba cylinders. If you experience any difficulty in obtaining acceptable readings,
please contact PST customer service at 414-476-0500.

PST TECHNICAL BULLETIN D101-E
Retesting DOT-E9791 or TC-SU4349-230 Advanced Technology Cylinders. Revised 01/01/03


High-pressure steel scuba cylinders manufactured by PST must be re-inspected and retested at least every five years in accordance with the Code of
Federal Regulations Title 49 CFR 173.34(US) or CSA B339 (Canada).

PST high-pressure (3442 psi) cylinders must be retested in accordance with DOT –E9791 or TC-SU4349-230 and have special test requirements based on
their design and the DOT/TC requirements. This bulletin provides the necessary information.

1. The retester must have a current copy either DOT-E9791 or TC-SU4349-230.
2. The test pressure is 5250 psi.
3. The wall calculations of CGA-C6 are not applicable to these high-strength steel cylinders. For the purpose of inspection criteria, the minimum
wall for a new E7 cylinder is .179 inch, and E8 is .197.
4. Almost all PST high-pressure scuba cylinders are hot dip galvanized for protection from corrosion. Specific procedures must be followed for cylinder preparation and retest checks to obtain accurate results in retesting hot-dip galvanized cylinders. These are described in PST Bulletin D100-E, Procedures for Hydrostatic Retesting for Hot Dip Galvanized Scuba Cylinders .

Following these procedures will ensure an accurate retest for PST scuba cylinders. If you experience any difficulty in obtaining an acceptable reading,
please contact PST customer service at 414-476-0500.

These bulletins are provided free to all retesters approved by the US DOT or Transport Canada.


(Source: VDH.com)
 
A few weeks ago my (7) HP PST's once again ran the hydro gauntlet and all survived, thank goodness! ...especially since there are no longer any new HP galvanized replacement tanks available. So far I've been lucky, with PST maintaining the exemption and my dive shops taking my tanks to a hydro facility in Dallas that has a clue about actually following the special PST testing procedures. So I'm good for another 5 yrs, who knows what the more distant future will bring.

The problem is not the tanks, it's the valves. Mine all have Sherwood valves, and they stopped making the seats for them. I always service the valves when I have the tanks hydro tested. Now it's just a waiting game until I have to find brand new 7/8 valves.
 
All I can say is that both of my PST HP120 tanks failed. One failed hydro due to over-expansion. Probably the result of hot fills at one fill station here. The other failed a VIP due to extensive rust. Probably the result of wet fills on California dive boats. The two tanks were dedicated... the first to shore diving and the second to boat diving. Not sure how typical my experience with them is though.
 
The problem is not the tanks, it's the valves. Mine all have Sherwood valves, and they stopped making the seats for them. I always service the valves when I have the tanks hydro tested. Now it's just a waiting game until I have to find brand new 7/8 valves.
Try NESS
 

Not an option. The seats just aren't made anymore. There are other 7/8 valves available, so changing the entire valve is an option. Manifolds are a different story.


iPhone. iTypo. iApologize.
 
i just sent my HP130 in for hydro saturday -- got my fingers crossed..

per DT-SP 14206 12th revision --
which lists 9791 -- shows expires april 30, 2015
 
I sent my two PST HP 130s for hydro a couple of months ago, with the instructions taped on the tanks. This was the second time I sent them out for hydro and I was glad they came back OK.
 
I have had mine hydro'd twice since I purchased them and haven't had an issue but went to a very good hydro shop and took them their personally. Haven't had an issue and don't expect having one. I'm quite tall so the they are quite easy for me to work with underwater, ymmv. Hydro procedure is huge and going to a hydro facility that does a lot of dive tanks is usually better than the straight industrial ones.
 
Not an option. The seats just aren't made anymore. There are other 7/8 valves available, so changing the entire valve is an option. Manifolds are a different story.

Sorry, I should have explained. NESS has new valves for +/- $25.00.


iPhone. iTypo. iApologize.

Sorry, I should have explained. NESS has new valves for +/- $25.00
 

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