CRAZY deal on airtank with adapter - is this a mistake?

[jfrazier30]

http://www.topgun-airguns.com/SCBA-tank-with-adapter_p_94.html

Price of the 4500 PSI tank WITH adapter is 175 bucks ?!?!?!

of course I ordered one! 35 bucks for shipping. Total came in at 210 dollars. This seems too good to be true ....

 

[Gundog]

I saw that add also on ebay. The one thing I never see is the manufacture date of the tank they are only good for 15 years so my guess is once the hydro test runs out the tank is scrap. Let us know when you get it what the manufacture date is on the tank.

 

[FukoChan]

Holy crap I've been looking for this. Definitely a good deal compared to the diys on eBay. So is this all I would need to fill my incoming wildcat?

 

[MattChastain]

The tanks only have a life of 15 years and these are old tanks that they need to get rid of they only have like a year or so left of life but it is still nice for beginners even though it will be cheaper in the long run to just get a new tank. Some deals are too good to be true. 

 

[jfrazier30]

The ad stays the hydro is good for 5 years... so, at least that much use available right?

 

[skygear]

These might be the Chinese tanks that all the vendors are quoting. not the proud "made in usa" that everyone boasts. seems like the components themselves would cost more than the listed price. They could also be tanks that were used and only have a couple years left on them. Might have cleaned them up, tossed a clean coat of epoxy paint on the, hydrod, and rebuilt the valves. won't know for sure without better pics. Either way, let us know how it goes. Post up pics when you get it. 
I do NOT see a bleed valve on that assembly also.

 

[Dan25]

Good eye skygear. I noticed that also. I would be willing to bet the tanks have a year, maybe two left. Even with a new hydro the FD where I fill will not fill past the 15th birthday.

 

[John "spysir" Blount]

Saw that deal a while back, score (for those of us counting penny's)!
For those that don't know topgun-airgun has been around a long time. They were for years the AA importer, and, carried every single parts for every model ever made. They also do/did import many other brands of rifles, pistols, pellets.
You scored a good deal.
John

 

[linsfreak]

They are good guys, I don't see them screwing with ya. Call peter and ask him. Really nice guy. Call the 602 number.

 

[ztirffritz]

Is that maybe a setup for cascading tanks that are more or less permanently connected? The lack of a bleeder valve seems really odd.

 

[MosesM]

I think there is a bleeder, it's that the knob is black and the background is so dark it's difficult to see

 

[jfrazier30]

it would be impossible to remove from the gun without a bleeder...

 

[blackdiesel]

There is a notation that the fill assembly may be different from the picture. It has to have a bleeder or you could never remove the hose from your gun with 3k psi of pressure.

 

[jfrazier30]

I just got off the phone with them. The tanks were manufactured in 2001. The hydro is good for 5 years.
The valve DOES have a bleeder.

 

[BWhunter67]

I just purchased a used 80cf tank from my local scuba shop for $75 with a fresh hydro and visual inspection. They guarantee it for 15 years. I also puchased a hose and adapter from Pyramyd air for $80. http://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/Air_Venturi_Scuba_Tank_Adapter_Hose_Assembly_1_8_BSPP_Threads_Gauge/534
Maybe try your local scuba shop, after all they are the ones who are going to filling it and you will know what you are getting yourself into.

 

[ztirffritz]

"jfrazier30"I just got off the phone with them. The tanks were manufactured in 2001. The hydro is good for 5 years.
The valve DOES have a bleeder.

2001 + 15 year service life = 2016 end of life. 

From what I've read, if the tank fails the hydrostatic test, or reaches its 15 year life limit, anyone filling/testing the tank is supposed to make it inoperable (ie Drill a hole in it). That doesn't mean that the tank is going to burst into flames on its 16th birthday, but by DOT regs, they're supposed to take them out of circulation. If you have your own pump and you're not paying to have it filled, they're probably still good for another 10 years. I've read so much about carbon wrapped tanks the last few days that I couldn't tell you where I read that though. If someone else knows otherwise, feel free to share. At $175 though, this is still a good deal even if you only get 1 year of use out of it. The gauge and the rest of it are still good and, as we discussed in my eBay tank thread, those components are still worth between $100-$150 depending on what level of goods you purchase.

 

[blackdiesel]

"BWhunter67"I just purchased a used 80cf tank from my local scuba shop for $75 with a fresh hydro and visual inspection. They guarantee it for 15 years. I also puchased a hose and adapter from Pyramyd air for $80. http://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/Air_Venturi_Scuba_Tank_Adapter_Hose_Assembly_1_8_BSPP_Threads_Gauge/534
Maybe try your local scuba shop, after all they are the ones who are going to filling it and you will know what you are getting yourself into.

I got a scuba tank before i bought my first PCP. After about 2 weeks I ended up getting carbon fiber tanks. I could fill my gun from 2000 to 3000 psi only 5-6 times before the pressure in the scuba tank fell below 3000 psi. By contrast, my 87 CF carbon fiber tank gives me more than 50 fills from 2000-3000 psi.

 

[coldfield]

I think this is a lot better deal.. 106cuft tank rated at 4350. New tank with filler. There is also a company that sells the tank along for 399. Its also 50% more air. Simple math here. It your on a budget, get a used 80cuft tank. 

http://www.rlairgunsupply.com/compressors-pumps-and-tanks/a-luxfer-limited-106-cylinder/

 

[mcgski]

First post here and VERY new to airguns (just bought a Benjamin Discovery). Saw a post on GTA (GatewayToAirguns.org) that had some negatives about this seller. Might be good to do a little more research.

 

[jpbrewer]

I bought and received one of these. Service was excellent, and I am very happy.

Yes, this tank only has a year left or so, but it was just Hydroed. Took it to a local scuba shop that had an SCBA fill adapter and they filled it no problem. You could also get it filled at a paintball shop that has a male foster QD to plug into your female on the tank.

Gauge and fittings are just fine. The tank has a gauge for internal pressure, and there is a glycerin-filled gauge for fill pressure.

Output of the tank is a female foster QD, So you will want to get a male to female extension hose to get to the gun. topgun sells one that is only $14, but it is only about 12" long.

I plan to fill mine for a few years after the expiry date with a shoebox. The 15 year life was a complete guess by the manufacturers and they use these in Europe for up to 30 years (depending on manufacturer). Doubt I would use after the hydro expiry (+5 years). Main reason for 15 year life was UV radiation breakdown of carbon fiber and chemical degradation -- remember these are for firefighters. Only one failure ever on tank exposed to caustic chemicals. Seems like you could avoid those.

About the only thing that this one does not have that airtanksforsale.com would offer (or AoA) is the slow fill valve and DIN hookup for regular SCUBA. With this one you have to carefully unscrew it a little at a time to get it going slowly. And realistically, you need a shoebox with a foster or an SCBA to SCUBA adapter for a SCUBA ship. I lucked out that my guy had the SCBA adapter. Hey, for $400 cheaper I can live with the downsides.