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CO2 stories...


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#1 Big Nake

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Posted 06 January 2020 - 01:14 PM

I have three 5-lb tanks, one 10-lb and one 20-lb.  There is a place near me that does hydro testing and filling but you usually have to go back the next day to pick the tanks up... even on a refill.  My closest LHBS started filling tanks while you wait which is nice.  Also, a number of times that I brought in a tank, she would just fill them and it seemed like they didn't even check the date.  Once I went in and a guy said, "Nope, the tank is out of date" and I explained that the owner would fill it even if the tank date was expired and so he did fill it.  Another time I went in for supplies and they flat-out said no to another guy with an expired tank.  So now one of my fivers and my ten is out of date.  I took them to the place to hydro test.  $61 for the fiver and $63 for the ten.  I believe that's $40 for the test and then $21 for the fiver and $23 for the ten for the refill.  That's spendy.  They will both be ready tomorrow so I suppose that's good.

 

Does anyone think that an out-of-date tank is dangerous to fill?  Do these things concern you brewers or do you assume that with gentle handling they're good for longer than 5 years?

 

Also, I know this is common knowledge but greasing up the main (big) o-ring on your kegs every time you fill them has solved ALL of my questionable CO2 leak issues.  Ever since doing this my tanks last a LONG time before needing a refill.   



#2 jayb151

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Posted 06 January 2020 - 01:59 PM

What do you use to grease with? 



#3 Big Nake

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Posted 06 January 2020 - 02:10 PM

This stuff.  I got it at Brew & Grow in Roselle.  Thick stuff that really creates a nice barrier.  

 

grease.jpg



#4 zymot

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Posted 06 January 2020 - 03:09 PM

I wonder what the failure rate is for tsbkd during a periodic test. I think gas tanks are one of those things that when they fail, the failure can be catostrophic.

They have similar rules for propane tanks and scuba tanks. Not a bad idea to have somebody trained to do the visual inspection and dynamic pressure test.

#5 Big Nake

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Posted 06 January 2020 - 03:27 PM

I wonder what the failure rate is for tsbkd during a periodic test. I think gas tanks are one of those things that when they fail, the failure can be catostrophic.

They have similar rules for propane tanks and scuba tanks. Not a bad idea to have somebody trained to do the visual inspection and dynamic pressure test.

They can turn into a missile if the neck of the tank is weakened or comes loose.  I think Mythbusters did a thing on this.  I handle all of my tanks very gently.  I remember reading something when I got my first 5-lb tank... Even a 5-pound tank is nothing to take lightly... it's very dangerous... something like that.  I really don't like driving in the car with full tanks either.  I lay them on the passenger seat and keep them still while I drive.  



#6 Stout_fan

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Posted 06 January 2020 - 04:04 PM

Does anyone think that an out-of-date tank is dangerous to fill?

Yea, and HELL YEA!

Most times the tank is OK. But do you really want to take chances?

I have an account at Roberts Oxygen and they just exchange them for me.

That said, I probably pay more for CO2 than you do.

 

It's the 40 bucks for 40 cu ft of Argon that bites my A$$. And I haven't been welding much lately. The price is up fer sure.

When doing back gassing on a big project I can blow through that pretty quick.



#7 Big Nake

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Posted 06 January 2020 - 04:50 PM

Yea, and HELL YEA!

Most times the tank is OK. But do you really want to take chances?

Yeah, that's why I asked.  I really have no idea how often a CO2 tank fails.  I have mine filled instead of doing an exchange because I know my tanks have been treated gently, never outside (unless I bring a tank to a party, etc. but I never store them outside), they were new when I bought them, etc.  Remember too that I live in Illinois where the state puts its residents through lots of things for no apparent reason other than to charge you money... so I'm always mildly skeptical.  That said, no I would not want to take a change on having a CO2 tank turn into a missile in my beer bunker.  



#8 zymot

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Posted 06 January 2020 - 08:43 PM

A tank could end up in the back of a pick up and get banged around. It could get dropped on concrete and develop a crack. Many was for a tank to get compromised.

#9 LeftyMPfrmDE

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Posted 06 January 2020 - 10:37 PM

Seen a tank (think it was argon) valve steam get sheared off by being dropped off the back of a delivery truck, no steam cover. Those tanks are potential missiles if dropped the right way.

The welding shop I get my refills will offer an exchange if they have em available- a cheaper option. I have 3-5# tanks, and refill them all at once. The price climbs everytime I go it seems. Wish they gave me a bottle of vaseline first when I had to get my tanks tested.(all out of code, and no exchanges available.)

Edited by LeftyMPfrmDE, 06 January 2020 - 10:39 PM.


#10 Poptop

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Posted 07 January 2020 - 06:32 AM

Paying for a 5 year hydro is money well spent.  Being a diver with 80 and 100 cuft tanks I pay the fee and it is a safety issue.  Dive tanks also require a yearly visual inspection for cracks etc.  Pretty sure my scuba tanks hydro cost around $15 each which isn't too painful.  Haven't had to hydro either of my two 5# CO2's yet.  

 

As for food grade lube, I slather the big O-ring like I'm putting mayo on a Dagwood.  I learned my lesson with that a few years ago with leaks.  Another item, money well spent.




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