Tank ID

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bwollard

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A friend of mine has an old (1972?) tank that was suppose to be an Al 80 It’s a US Diver brand. Setting it next to my Luxfer Al 80 it is the same height but smaller in diameter by about 3/8’’. Trying to put it in my tank boot and it slides right off. It doesn’t say 80 anywhere on it. Can anyone help me?
 
It most likely is a Al72 with a 6.9" diameter.
A typical Al80 is 7.25"

Brad
 
Here is the info that is on top of the tank. Can anyone help?


DOT-SP6498-3000
3 B3 01
36

Y7620 USD

10^72

12T77
S
 
Special use permit SP6498 indicates that the tank is constructed of an alloy which historically has come to be associated with tank neck cracks. The cracks are detected visually or with an eddy current tester commonly seen in dive shops these days. There are numerous shop bulletins on the subject of old aluminum tanks of this type. It is usually recommended that they be junked. Not implying that the tank is defective, just make sure the required visuals are conducted every six months if possible. Actually, since hydro testing is suspected of causing the problems, your old tank may still be sound. (It seems to have been tested only once in subsequent years).

In fact, the tank has an original hydro of 10/72 and coincidentally is a 72 cu ft tank. This tank is one of the very first aluminum mods off the production line. The 72's were produced for a couple years until it became apparent that the 80's had a wider market.
 
Hey, does that mean he has a "collectors item" and it could be worth mega-bucks?????

Do those type of collectibles exist in the dive industry? Or is diving still new to have antiques and "one of a kinds"?

Just curious.
 
Bunny, there are collectors of vintage diving gear and even small "museums" in progress(see link); just human nature, I'm a pack rat myself. However, the aluminum tank has no collectors value. Of course, 25 years ago, they said that the only value that the two hose regulator had was "junk". Nowadays they bring $100-600, depending on condition and rarity.

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/3001/

Below is an example of an antique tank with possible collector interest. This tank is collectible since it appears to have been owned by Rene, one of Cousteau's cousins. He owned the dive shop/import business which later became US Divers. This tank is not galvanized and appears to have the original European valve which means it probably precedes similar tanks used by the US Navy in 1948-51. Some questions would need to be directed to the seller to verify any of this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1151205372
 
Originally posted by bwollard
A friend of mine has an old (1972?) tank that was suppose to be an Al 80 It’s a US Diver brand. Setting it next to my Luxfer Al 80 it is the same height but smaller in diameter by about 3/8’’. Trying to put it in my tank boot and it slides right off. It doesn’t say 80 anywhere on it. Can anyone help me?

If it is a steel 72 you need a tank boot for a steel 6.9 diameter. Special boot that you can get at your local dive store.

ti
http://www.pstscuba.com
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

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