Update: They eventually called in response to my email, and are cross-shipping a new tank with a return label for the old one.
Hello,
Last week purchased a new SCBA tank from a well-known vendor.
This weekend I took it to a dive shop (supposedly the largest in GA) that requires their own annual visual inspection before they will fill it. I don't blame them, I would do the same because HPA can be deadly if something fails. FWIW, the shop gave me a tour, this is a well-equipped shop with giant Bauer compressors, and hydro-static testing facilities, so they probably know their stuff. They said they are one of the only shops that will fill to 4500 psi, and showed me an Omega cylinder they had just filled.
Anyway, they call me and say that the tank failed inspection because either the valve was cross-threaded, or the threads were bad. They did not remove the valve because they were not sure they could get it back on and did not want to make it worse. They said that the much-greater than normal resistance to turning was always bad or cross-threads, that is an inspection fail, and they will not fill it. They demonstrated to me what they were describing, and it seemed plausible. They have no reason to make excuses not to fill.
When I contacted the vendor via phone, their response was the tank did not need to inspected because it was already inspected. I thought the response was dismissive. They offered no solution or explanation at the time.
I am sending additional emails, to see if I can get resolution.
I may also try another shop, if I can find one, for a second opinion However, this dive shop said that no sane dive shop would touch that cylinder. Also, this is the only shop I have found that will fill such a tank.
The takeaway is: Always have a visual inspection done with a new tank, because some new ones from well-known vendors may be defective.
I will reveal the vendor if I do not get resolution.
Hello,
Last week purchased a new SCBA tank from a well-known vendor.
This weekend I took it to a dive shop (supposedly the largest in GA) that requires their own annual visual inspection before they will fill it. I don't blame them, I would do the same because HPA can be deadly if something fails. FWIW, the shop gave me a tour, this is a well-equipped shop with giant Bauer compressors, and hydro-static testing facilities, so they probably know their stuff. They said they are one of the only shops that will fill to 4500 psi, and showed me an Omega cylinder they had just filled.
Anyway, they call me and say that the tank failed inspection because either the valve was cross-threaded, or the threads were bad. They did not remove the valve because they were not sure they could get it back on and did not want to make it worse. They said that the much-greater than normal resistance to turning was always bad or cross-threads, that is an inspection fail, and they will not fill it. They demonstrated to me what they were describing, and it seemed plausible. They have no reason to make excuses not to fill.
When I contacted the vendor via phone, their response was the tank did not need to inspected because it was already inspected. I thought the response was dismissive. They offered no solution or explanation at the time.
I am sending additional emails, to see if I can get resolution.
I may also try another shop, if I can find one, for a second opinion However, this dive shop said that no sane dive shop would touch that cylinder. Also, this is the only shop I have found that will fill such a tank.
The takeaway is: Always have a visual inspection done with a new tank, because some new ones from well-known vendors may be defective.
I will reveal the vendor if I do not get resolution.
