What to do in the case of underfilled tanks?

[suddha]

I am wondering what others do when tanks get under-filled at a dive shop. What do you consider acceptable for fill pressures? Do you check air fills at the dive shop before leaving? How do you tactfully "complain"?

The reason I ask is that I bought an annual fill card at a nearby shop and got two AL80s filled. My wife and I went to a dive site two hours from home and when we hooked up our gear, found that one tank was only filled to 2700psi and the other to 2900. I'm OK with an occasional 2900 but 2700 seemed way too low.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Gombessa]

A drop of 300psi isn't too uncommon, especially when the tanks are hot-filled, and not topped off after being allowed to cool. I would just talk to shop (in particular the guys/gals manning the compressor) and let them know what you'd like (can I get a fill to 3000 when cold?). I've never met anyone who wasn't happy to comply. Also, you should be able to test the pressure at the shop and ask them to top off if the fill came up short.

If you start expecting overfills, your results are going to vary greatly.

 

[don Francisco]

Gombessa said it perfectly. It isn't a matter of being tactful, just being polite. I've never been refused a top off, or a switch if it was a rental tank. And yes, check your tanks before leaving and driving 200 miles to dive. Next time it might not be 300#s, they might simply forget to fill it at all. SNAFU's happen, and it's better to deal with them while it's easy.

BTW- if you're always getting short fills, it might not be the shop, it might be that your gauge reads low. It isn't rare for gauges to be off a one or two hundred pounds at the top of the scale.

 

[redacted]

Normally, fills anywhere in that range will fully accommodate my dive plans. If I am planning a dive that needs a max fill, I let the shop know and have never been disappointed.

 

[SparticleBrane]

2700psi?

Can you tell us how much longer that extra 300psi would last you under normal circumstances for your diving at particular depth?


I completely agree with you on principle, but realistically, 300psi isn't that big of a difference for smallish dives, especially if you're diving relatively small cylinders.

 

[tomboyy]

2700psi?

Can you tell us how much longer that extra 300psi would last you under normal circumstances for your diving at particular depth?


I completely agree with you on principle, but realistically, 300psi isn't that big of a difference for smallish dives, especially if you're diving relatively small cylinders.

If your expecting 3000 - 3500, a 2700 tank is a shorty. 300 psi can last some people a bit. The OP was right in thinking that they got shorted

 

[Charlie99]

My wife and I went to a dive site two hours from home and when we hooked up our gear, found that one tank was only filled to 2700psi and the other to 2900. I'm OK with an occasional 2900 but 2700 seemed way too low.

Any thoughts?

My first thought is "give the short tank to your wife and there won't be any problem" Most women do have lower SAC.

Don't complain. Just ask for a top off, where they hook your tank back up to the fill whip for a few seconds.

My biggest concern wouldn't be that you are getting shorted 300psi, but that this could indicate that they are doing really hot fills.

 

[Blackwood]

I believe wholeheartedly that you should get what you pay for. If they hand you an aluminum 80 filled to 2700 PSI, I suggest handing them 90% of the list price for a fill.

I completely agree with you on principle, but realistically, 300psi isn't that big of a difference for smallish dives, especially if you're diving relatively small cylinders.

And especially if you're diving turn rules like thirds.

 

[Scubakevdm]

I work in and have worked in dive shops for a while, and have filled a tank or two. Every once in a while there's some sort of confusion and a tank goes diving that either has a slight leak, didn't get filled correctly, or was picked up out oif the empty pile or whatever. I can't speak for anyone else, but I personally am most concerned that the customer has a great (and safe) dive. The best way to avoid problems is to check the tank before it goes out the door of the shop. I train people that work here not to let tanks out the door without checking pressure in front of the customer... it makes me feel better knowing that it's all good.

Because there is a drop in pressure commensurate with a drop in temperature, it is to your advantage to drop your tanks off and give the shop personnel some time with them, rather than stand there and have them filled while you wait.

I'm one of those guys that's not too big on overfilling tanks... I'm not skimpy with the gas, and fill AL 80-'s to around 3100 cold, but I don't do gross overpressurization.

If you check your tank pressure in the shop, and there is a problem with underfilling that the shop doesn't want to take care of, I'd find another shop.

 

[djanni]

Normally, fills anywhere in that range will fully accommodate my dive plans. If I am planning a dive that needs a max fill, I let the shop know and have never been disappointed.

Are you standing on your head or something?