Scott air bottles , and fill stations.

[JimD]

I choose to use the logic developed by the US Navy based upon their decades of experience involving millions of bottles. The only failures they've experienced were connection failures due to damage from hydro testing. Damaged threads from cross threading during hydro tests is my read. They asked for use of a non destructive test and if that test showed the bottle was good continued use. But bottle manufacturers and other interested parties that are not users have no incentive to take a risk or spend money on testing. Suggesting the premature retirement of bottles makes them money. So we still have guidance from an inappropriate governmental agency with no factual basis. The Navy basically argued it's nonsense and I agree. But others are free to spend more if it makes them feel better. I just object to claims that retiring a bottle at 15 years is necessary for safety reasons. There is zero data to support those statements and significant data to show its false. You are not following the law or an applicable governmental regulation retiring the bottle and I am totally legal refilling my "expired" bottle from my compressor. And the available data says I am just as safe.

 

[Bernie7]

I choose to use the logic developed by the US Navy based upon their decades of experience involving millions of bottles. The only failures they've experienced were connection failures due to damage from hydro testing. Damaged threads from cross threading during hydro tests is my read. They asked for use of a non destructive test and if that test showed the bottle was good continued use. But bottle manufacturers and other interested parties that are not users have no incentive to take a risk or spend money on testing. Suggesting the premature retirement of bottles makes them money. So we still have guidance from an inappropriate governmental agency with no factual basis. The Navy basically argued it's nonsense and I agree. But others are free to spend more if it makes them feel better. I just object to claims that retiring a bottle at 15 years is necessary for safety reasons. There is zero data to support those statements and significant data to show it’s false. You are not following the law or an applicable governmental regulation retiring the bottle and I am totally legal refilling my "expired" bottle from my compressor. And the available data says I am just as safe.

@JimD thank you again, the study you posted really put my mind at ease a while ago. I think it should get stickied alongside a clear explanation of what the actual laws are such as (ripped straight from the books, OSHA - 29 CFR 1910.101 and DOT - 49 CFR 173.301).

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www.osha.gov

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www.ecfr.gov

https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/technical-resources/55976/navy-self-contained-breathing-apparatus-scba-composite-cylinder-life-extension-research-project.pdf

Edit- Added link for Navy study as well

 

[Firewalker]

I choose to use the logic developed by the US Navy based upon their decades of experience involving millions of bottles. The only failures they've experienced were connection failures due to damage from hydro testing. Damaged threads from cross threading during hydro tests is my read. They asked for use of a non destructive test and if that test showed the bottle was good continued use. But bottle manufacturers and other interested parties that are not users have no incentive to take a risk or spend money on testing. Suggesting the premature retirement of bottles makes them money. So we still have guidance from an inappropriate governmental agency with no factual basis. The Navy basically argued it's nonsense and I agree. But others are free to spend more if it makes them feel better. I just object to claims that retiring a bottle at 15 years is necessary for safety reasons. There is zero data to support those statements and significant data to show its false. You are not following the law or an applicable governmental regulation retiring the bottle and I am totally legal refilling my "expired" bottle from my compressor. And the available data says I am just as safe.

Thank you SO much for your well spoken reply.

 

[JimD]

I feel strongly that this is a subject for the ASME boiler and pressure vessel code. It is just inappropriate for civil engineers at the DOT to be deciding this. But when the ASME doesn't, presumably due to a lack of funding, we get the silly situation we're in. (I am a retired ME).

 

[OldVet]

Thanks for the help guys , but I got it figured out. I have a carbon fiber wrapped 6 liter Scott fireman bottle with a 5/8 18 unf , or 5/8 flare thread size. As I stated in my first post I wanted to buy a newer dual guage fill station with one guage showing tank pressure , and the other the fill pressure. The fill station has a M18 x 1.5 thread. I have brass plugs that I'm going to drill out to M10 x 1.
Then use an adapter M18 x 1 female "to accept the new fill station" with a M 10 x 1 male to go into the newly drilled , and tapped thick brass plug M10 x 1 hole. I'll JB weld the adapter to the hole in the plug with plug still being able to be removed. A easy job for me , and I'll have what I want.

 

[Justaguy]

@JimD thank you again, the study you posted really put my mind at ease a while ago. I think it should get stickied alongside a clear explanation of what the actual laws are such as (ripped straight from the books, OSHA - 29 CFR 1910.101 and DOT - 49 CFR 173.301).

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Federal Register :: Request Access

www.ecfr.gov

Thanks for the help guys , but I got it figured out. I have a carbon fiber wrapped 6 liter Scott fireman bottle with a 5/8 18 unf , or 5/8 flare thread size. As I stated in my first post I wanted to buy a newer dual guage fill station with one guage showing tank pressure , and the other the fill pressure. The fill station has a M18 x 1.5 thread. I have brass plugs that I'm going to drill out to M10 x 1.
Then use an adapter M18 x 1 female "to accept the new fill station" with a M 10 x 1 male to go into the newly drilled , and tapped thick brass plug M10 x 1 hole. I'll JB weld the adapter to the hole in the plug with plug still being able to be removed. A easy job for me , and I'll have what I want.

Wouldn't it be easier to just buy a Ninja EZ fill, that is made in 5/8?

 

[OldVet]

The Ninja easyfill has been out of stock for a minute , and the M18 x 1.5 PCP Tank Dual Guage charging Valve Air Filling Station Refill Adapter. Is only
$47.02 + Free Shipping. On eBay.
Thanks Jusagiy.

 

[OldVet]

Sorry Mark new here don't know how to use message board. It's just a simple stainless adapter M18 x 1.5 female to M10 x 1 male that I thread onto the brass plug I got at hardware store.
The reason I did not want to use an old fireman valve is they sell them as is , and if something leaks too bad.
Did you do a Google search for a plug that might fit that big tank. I can tell you this a little PCP compressor will not work to fill it. Walmart is selling a
Tuxing dual cylinder scuba tank filling machine that will work for only $439.
I'm going to scoop one up asap.

 

[Justaguy]

The Ninja easyfill has been out of stock for a minute , and the M18 x 1.5 PCP Tank Dual Guage charging Valve Air Filling Station Refill Adapter. Is only
$47.02 + Free Shipping. On eBay.
Thanks Jusagiy.

ANSGear.com has them in stock. There are a few on Ebay. They are definitely more than $47 though. Cheapest I have seen them is $169.

 

[OldVet]

The Ninja easyfill has been out of stock for a minute , and the M18 x 1.5 PCP Tank Dual Guage charging Valve Air Filling Station Refill Adapter. Is only
$47.02 + Free Shipping. On eBay.
Thanks Jusagiy.

Sorry Justaguy I did not mean to scramble up your name it was a double typo.

 

[markhooper]

Sorry Mark new here don't know how to use message board. It's just a simple stainless adapter M18 x 1.5 female to M10 x 1 male that I thread onto the brass plug I got at hardware store.
The reason I did not want to use an old fireman valve is they sell them as is , and if something leaks too bad.
Did you do a Google search for a plug that might fit that big tank. I can tell you this a little PCP compressor will not work to fill it. Walmart is selling a
Tuxing dual cylinder scuba tank filling machine that will work for only $439.
I'm going to scoop one up asap.

I haven't seen anything.. sent you a PM with email and phone number if that's easier.. so also my compressor is a Omega trail charger, it's slow for filling the tank, but it will probably work given several runs over time .. it's water cooled and slow speed.. takes probably 10 minutes to fill the 500 cc tank on my airforce Condor..I know it's a much smaller tank than a fireman tank but I don't need it instantly.. I don't even let it run enough to blow warm air, just to be safe..I can probably take the tank if needed to a friend with a larger compressor if needed..
Mark

 

[OldVet]

I haven't seen anything.. sent you a PM with email and phone number if that's easier.. so also my compressor is a Omega trail charger, it's slow for filling the tank, but it will probably work given several runs over time .. it's water cooled and slow speed.. takes probably 10 minutes to fill the 500 cc tank on my airforce Condor..I know it's a much smaller tank than a fireman tank but I don't need it instantly.. I don't even let it run enough to blow warm air, just to be safe..I can probably take the tank if needed to a friend with a larger compressor if needed..
Mark

Mark got your info , but it's late , so here it is " Big Rig Chrome Shop" they make a steel oil pan drain plug with a 11/8 x 12 thread pitch. Just find a gas O ring at a hardware store , and that should fit. It's $20 but better than the $50 plug at caterpillar. Once you get this just find an adapter.

 

[OldVet]

I now have my set up , and selling some extra bottles I have on the classifieds here plus pics.
I don't think any of these air compressors could blow up one of these tanks just not strong enough.
I'm only talking about the 4,500 compressors. My Vevor quit working just trying to fill a .5L bottle only made it to 3000.