Tank question.
- Thread starter sandman12
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douglasville diver
Contributor
whin was the last v.i.p.,date of manufacture,all the numbers are stamped.
Maybe a good deal mabey not
02 clean vip and internal mayby another 75
Maybe a good deal mabey not
02 clean vip and internal mayby another 75
mike_s
Contributor
If they aren't in hydro or VIP, you'll end up having to pay extra for that. If they are the "older" aluminum allow, then that might have an issue, but most likely not. If they have been left empty for a while, you might have some corrosion/moisture issues. Also, empty tanks might be an example of a leaky valve that needs to be replaced.
If you have to get a Visual Inspection, it'll run $5 to $15 (all these prices vary per shop/location). A hydro will run you $12 to $25 on average. A valve will run you $15 for used to up to around $45 for a new K valve.
If they are in Visual, and in Hydro. then $100 for two aluminum tanks isn't a bad deal at all though.
btw... anyone heard of Urwelkum before? maybe it's a non US brand.
If you have to get a Visual Inspection, it'll run $5 to $15 (all these prices vary per shop/location). A hydro will run you $12 to $25 on average. A valve will run you $15 for used to up to around $45 for a new K valve.
If they are in Visual, and in Hydro. then $100 for two aluminum tanks isn't a bad deal at all though.
btw... anyone heard of Urwelkum before? maybe it's a non US brand.
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If it's 2 for $100, it's a risk I'd take - if they're 80 cf or larger, and after check on that brand?
Will your dive shop even fill them?
This is another example of where having your profile filled out so we know where in the world you are would be helpful.
A search of Google, Alta Vista, Ask Jeeves, Hot Dog and other search engines for Urwelkum turned up nada, zip, nothing. That alone would cause me concern. All that internet and no mention of SCUBA tanks mfg by Urwelkum, or any other kind of tank.
Personally I would take a pass on these unless you know something about the mfg company locally. I would also check with the local agency (your version of Department of Transportation) to see if the tanks are approved for SCUBA. I have seen many fire extinguishers and SCBA tanks marketed as SCUBA tanks on e-bay.
Last but not least, the alloy the tanks are made of is an issue. Luxfer and many others used an alloy that has proven to be unstable and is no longer marketed. Many dive shops here in the USA are refusing to fill tanks made of this alloy.
As others have said, current hydro and vis is a consideration. Lots to think about and only you know if it is a good deal or not based on local circumstances.
A search of Google, Alta Vista, Ask Jeeves, Hot Dog and other search engines for Urwelkum turned up nada, zip, nothing. That alone would cause me concern. All that internet and no mention of SCUBA tanks mfg by Urwelkum, or any other kind of tank.
Personally I would take a pass on these unless you know something about the mfg company locally. I would also check with the local agency (your version of Department of Transportation) to see if the tanks are approved for SCUBA. I have seen many fire extinguishers and SCBA tanks marketed as SCUBA tanks on e-bay.
Last but not least, the alloy the tanks are made of is an issue. Luxfer and many others used an alloy that has proven to be unstable and is no longer marketed. Many dive shops here in the USA are refusing to fill tanks made of this alloy.
As others have said, current hydro and vis is a consideration. Lots to think about and only you know if it is a good deal or not based on local circumstances.
Above you've seen good advice, based on experience. As a new diver, or someone in another country you may be unfamiliar with the descriptions we have thrown at you. In the U. S. the dept of transportation (DOT) has strict tests for all pressure tanks. Tanks treated well and regularly tested can last a long, long time. There are some divers that regularly over fill their tanks, which will dangerously stress the metal. The damage is invisible, DOT pressure tests will condemn these weak tanks. Tanks bought used may be good, or may be ready to explode. . . No one over the internet can answer that. Used tanks are usually not discounted that much. But only after they are pressure tested can you find out if they are safe to use.
mike_s:
With Aluminum tanks, empty or low tanks can be caused by a tiny crack in the neck, the "crack" opens up at pressure then closes itself at some lower pressure. While hydro testing one of my tanks from 1972, leaked pressure above 4,000 psi then closed up at 4000. Still above the working pressure, but not safe to ever reuse. SCBA tanks are not acceptable for SCUBA. These are fireman's air packs, with different ratings. Before my tank failed hydro testing, a fire department brought in a tank they had used for months. After filling and putting in racks, it would "lose" about 600 psi. That was a split in the neck of the tank, and also was at risk of exploding.
donnad
Contributor
unless you plan to do a lot of local diving (i don't know where you are so.......), you may not really need your own tank. you can't fly with them, so you really would only want your own for local diving. in my case, local diving is small murky lakes for the most part, so buying a tank is the last thing on my list if it's on there at all.
I addressed this before.Try to purchase at LDS..We had a customer with old used ebay tank that he paid $80.for..needed vip and hydro..so that now cost him total of $125..we sell new tank for $210, with an air pass good for 20 fills..a tank fill around here cost $8. each..so in reality the new tank purchased at our lds costs $50..So where is the better deal?
cummings66
Contributor
oly5050user:
At my LDS where tanks cost about the nearly the same as what you sell them for with free for life airfills. Now that's a deal you just can not beat.
The point that you made of course being, a LDS often will be the best place to buy tanks due to perks offered. If a person dives enough then owning a tank is by far the best bet.
