Was given a "working air" tank... can I convert to SCUBA?

[prunefoot]

Somebody at work had this tank in their work house, didn't even know it was there since they took over the job 3 years ago, and gave it to me.

It says "working air" and still has some air in it. Would I be able to take it for inspection and testing to use for scuba? With a new valve of course.

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[noj3333]

This is just me... I'd start by draining all the air from the tank... remove the current valve, and see if a scuba valve can be threaded on. If it could be then my gears would be turning, if it couldn't then I'd give up on the idea.

 

[tursiops]

Standard AL80, but out-of-hydro and would need a valve. Expect to spend $15-20 for a used valve, and $25-40 to get the tank tested and certified (need to do every five years). A used tank like that, with valve, ready to dive, usually runs $75-$120, with valve.

 

[noj3333]

@prunefoot, I have a yoke valve I'd sell for $20 shipped.

 

[tursiops]

@prunefoot, I have a yolk valve I'd sell for $20 shipped.

Yoke, not yolk.....

 

[noj3333]

I always seem to make that mistake...

 

[NAM001]

since when has stamps been allowed in the bottom of the tank. I would think that would constitute a fail on a vis.

 

[Scared Silly]

since when has stamps been allowed in the bottom of the tank. I would think that would constitute a fail on a vis.

There are often mfg stamps on the bottom. They are not a problem - especially on AL cylinders as the base is a large chunk of aluminum.

 

[2airishuman]

You will have to replace the CGA 346 valve with a SCUBA valve (DIN or yoke). The trick will be finding one with neck threads that match. There's a good chance that the cylinder has 7/8" UNF threads since the 3/4" NPSM threads that are standard for SCUBA cylinders are not used in any other application.

SCUBA valves are available in 7/8" UNF but selection is limited and most are DIN only.

As you may be aware, due to differences in how the size is measured, 7/8" UNF threads are smaller than 3/4" NPSM threads.

 

[prunefoot]

You will have to replace the CGA 346 valve with a SCUBA valve (DIN or yoke). The trick will be finding one with neck threads that match. There's a good chance that the cylinder has 7/8" UNF threads since the 3/4" NPSM threads that are standard for SCUBA cylinders are not used in any other application.

SCUBA valves are available in 7/8" UNF but selection is limited and most are DIN only.

As you may be aware, due to differences in how the size is measured, 7/8" UNF threads are smaller than 3/4" NPSM threads.

Ah man. Nothing is ever easy is it.