When you buy a CO2 system (Powertank ETC) do you have to replace the tank at some number of years in the future in order for the tank's certifcation to be current and be refilled?
Mark
Mark
CO2 Air Tanks
- Thread starter mrlocksmith
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Great question, I hope there is someone out there that does know the answer to it.
In my paintballing days, we had to have our 2, 3 and 5 lb bottles certified. I don't remember the duration of the certification, but it was not infinite. And they wouldn't refill em w/out a certification sticker.
I think the guys that do the refilling (of the big bottles) are also the ones that can do the certification. Double check with your AirGas rep or local welding supplier. They will know. It's kinda their job.
I think the guys that do the refilling (of the big bottles) are also the ones that can do the certification. Double check with your AirGas rep or local welding supplier. They will know. It's kinda their job.
If the AirGas by you actually has the CO2 there and is not just a exchange location, they can certify there. When I was going to buy my kit there they talked about certification and which location I needed to go to. For me its Burbank. Well I bought a Source unit but once the cert is up I know I can take it to the Burbank AirGas to be re-certified.
- Thread starter
- #5
So it can be re-certified, but you do not have to buy a new tank each re-cert unless it fails?
Mark
Mark
The tank has to be recertified every 5 years. Before you buy, call around to see exactly who can/will refill the CO2. In my city, I have yet to find a place that will refill in-house. They only do exchanges or send it out.
correct
Hydrostatic testing is required every 5 years. My CO2 tank's date expired about 6 months ago and it cost ~$50 for the test and refill. I think the test was $40 and they discounted the fill. They can and will fail a cylinder on a visual inspection. They are looking for many things including damage and rust. They required me to drop off the tank and pick it up several days later after they called to give the results of the test. They test in-house but they only test on certain days and after they had enough tanks waiting for testing. (Small gas supplier specializing in welding gasses.)
Federal law requires that the cylinders be tested every five years to ensure that they are still strong enough to hold compressed gases, many of which are explosive under pressure. A crucial part of the retesting procedure is a hydrostatic test, whereby a cylinder is subjected to up to twice its service pressure to determine fatigue in the cylinder that cannot be seen by a visual inspection. If the fatigue is not detected and the cylinder is returned for use, it could explode, resulting in serious injury.
-B-
Federal law requires that the cylinders be tested every five years to ensure that they are still strong enough to hold compressed gases, many of which are explosive under pressure. A crucial part of the retesting procedure is a hydrostatic test, whereby a cylinder is subjected to up to twice its service pressure to determine fatigue in the cylinder that cannot be seen by a visual inspection. If the fatigue is not detected and the cylinder is returned for use, it could explode, resulting in serious injury.
-B-
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
Agree 100%. Build your own system, and exchange the tank. Then it stays current. Much cheaper as well.
I couldn't find 10# 'exchange' tanks 6 years ago when I was looking. They were 20# and larger and those occupy more space than I wanted to give up.
-B-
-B-
I like my bling bling tank 
I know that the tank has not been dropped or compromised in anyway, as I watch them each time it gets filled.
Different strokes for different folk's I guess, but I prefer to "own" all of my equipment.
I know that the tank has not been dropped or compromised in anyway, as I watch them each time it gets filled.
Different strokes for different folk's I guess, but I prefer to "own" all of my equipment.
A $2 can of krylon takes care of the ugly issue. I didn't think about O2 being in green when I painted this one I just have a case of Hunter green on hand for touch up on the FJ40. I'll paint the next one black.
The mounting bracket is a $25 unit I got at a local welding shop, lots cheaper than the Bling Bling guys.
best place to go for a refill is your local fire safety shop. Not the Fire Dept. but the places that do fire safety, inpections etc. Places that fill fire extinguishers. To fill my 20# tank it's about $11. They do it on the spot, takes maybe 5 minutes or less. As the other guys said, yes you have to have it certified every 5 years. Same place can do that. Fire extinguisher place. Real cheap, waaaaay cheaper than AirGas... at least here in Michigan anyway. Hope this helps.
Matt
Matt
The last time I got mine filled the place where I normally go was open, but the guy who fills them was off.
They said I could leave it, but they also suggested the paintball shop down the street.
Sure enough, the woman working in there filled my tank for me while I watched.
She had filled smaller ones, but I think it was the first time she had filled a 10 lb one.
She filled it from an upright tank that was about 5' tall.
Probably the shop that I had just left fills it for them.
They said I could leave it, but they also suggested the paintball shop down the street.
Sure enough, the woman working in there filled my tank for me while I watched.
She had filled smaller ones, but I think it was the first time she had filled a 10 lb one.
She filled it from an upright tank that was about 5' tall.
Probably the shop that I had just left fills it for them.
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We use to have an offroad shop that would do partial fills. athey weighed the tank before and after then just charged around $2 a pound. More than the per pound price for an exchange tank but cheaper if you just need a couple of pounds to top the tank up.
I'm hoping they find a new shop and re-open soon.
I'm hoping they find a new shop and re-open soon.
I wish my local fire shop was that cheap - $18 for a 10lb tank! I've got to spend some time calling around again but when I first started this place was the cheapest in town.
