GTA
Support Equipment For PCP/HPA/CO2 and springers ,rams => Support Equipment For PCP/HPA/CO2 => Topic started by: mrsecman on June 20, 2017, 05:42:31 AM
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Greetings,
I am a complete newbie to the PCP world. Would of you kind gentleman or ladies, be so gracious to answer the following questions:
Is it okay to store SCBA tanks outside in a storage shed year round? I live in the South where the summers are quite hot and winters are below freezing.
How long can you safely store a filled tank without use?
When it's time to have your tank refilled, would it be a permissible to strapped the tank to a dolly and roll it in? Don't want to look an idiot or cause an alarm.
At what pressure level do you refill?
Is water a concern when refilling the tank or your rifle?
Thanks In Advance!
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Welcome to the world of PCPs and all the accessories that go with them.
SCUBA Storage -- Outside should not be a problem. SCUBA tanks are rugged and the heat will not harm them.
How Long -- If I were using the tanks for diving, I would not want to dive with air that was stored over a year. For air guns, I don't think there is any problem storing longer.
Refilling -- As long as you are being safe when you move the tanks, no one is going to worry about how you get your tanks to the fill site. Many people on the GTA have carts for their tanks. Guys who dive a lot also have come up with devices to make moving tanks around easier. As long as the tanks are secure and can't fall over, no problems.
Pressure -- Most SCUBA tanks are rated for 3000 PSI. My dive shop knows I shoot Air Rifles, so Mr. George always gives me the extra 10% when he refills me. The person filling your tanks will make the call on max PSI he is comfortable filling to. Talk to them and they will do whatever is safe.
Water -- If you get your tanks filled at a dive shop, there is minimal risk of water in the air. If you get tanks filled at a Paintball outlet, or similar, that just gives High Pressure Air vs Breathable air, I think the risk is more.
Hope this helps.
Keith
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Thanks for the response but does this hold true for SCBA tanks too?
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Thanks for the response but does this hold true for SCBA tanks too?
I do not have an SCBA tank, so I can't say for sure, but I think most of it applies.
Most SCBA tanks are rated at 4500 PSI. Some dive shops can only fill to 3500. Most paintball shops can fill to 4500.
Search SCBA and you should find all the answers you need.
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The outside shed is probably OK , as long as it's vented to keep the heat buildup to a minimum. Put in bigger vents, both high and low if needed. Keep the tank out of the sun, away from an chemicals or gas, someplace where it won't get banged. Having it vertically, in a wood box/holder, against the north wall of the shed (coolest) might be good.
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Greetings,
I am a complete newbie to the PCP world. Would of you kind gentleman or ladies, be so gracious to answer the following questions:
Is it okay to store SCBA tanks outside in a storage shed year round? I live in the South where the summers are quite hot and winters are below freezing.
How long can you safely store a filled tank without use?
When it's time to have your tank refilled, would it be a permissible to strapped the tank to a dolly and roll it in? Don't want to look an idiot or cause an alarm.
At what pressure level do you refill?
Is water a concern when refilling the tank or your rifle?
Thanks In Advance!
I will answer in the order you asked:
- Storing your SCBA is simple ... upright in a cool dark place. If the shed gets hot, it shouldn't be a problem unless that heat is extreme; like from fire. In which case, the safety will burst and the tank is ruined anyway. And extreme cold, again, not a problem unless you get wet fills and ice forms in the valve. But, then again, if that is happening, you will most likely have lots of other problems popping up.
- A filled tank can stay filled for as long as you want. There is no safety concern there at all.
- I almost always fill my tanks immediately after using them. The reason goes back to the fire. Fire fighters hate it when a partially filled tank is in a burning structure and, because it starts at a lower pressure, takes a LOT longer to release the safety disk. Or in extreme cases, burn the fiber wrap on the outside of the tank and have a side wall burst because of the structural damage.
- Is water a concern? You bet! Water should never be introduced into your tank. The inside of your SCBA tank is a very thin shell of aluminum and it is the fiber wrapping that is the strength. If water is introduced, it can cause unseen corrosion. It takes a trained tank inspector to find that type of pitting and only a few dive shops and almost NO paintball shops get that training. That corrosion can cause pits deep enough to allow air to blow through ... effectively turning your tank into an ashtray.
Hope that helps!
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just a question... why not store the tank in your house? its a much more controlled environment
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I store mine in my garage in a container. I have five 87 CF (60 minutes tank) and three 65 CF (45 minutes tanks). All except one 45 minute tank fit inside and the extra I put on top of my storage so I can readily grab it when I go in the backyard to shoot.
(https://mobileimages.lowes.com/product/converted/071617/071617792954.jpg)
(https://mobileimages.lowes.com/product/converted/071617/071617792954_00676125.jpg)
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Your point of storing your SCBA cylinder in a shed could be problematic. If children could have access to your SCBA cylinder an awful accident could be the result. Also, if something falls on the cylinder and breaks the valve, the cylinder becomes a missle! I would keep it in the house.
John
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I store mine in my garage in a container. I have five 87 CF (60 minutes tank) and three 65 CF (45 minutes tanks). All except one 45 minute tank fit inside and the extra I put on top of my storage so I can readily grab it when I go in the backyard to shoot.
Nice set up Norman.
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I store mine in my garage in a container. I have five 87 CF (60 minutes tank) and three 65 CF (45 minutes tanks). All except one 45 minute tank fit inside and the extra I put on top of my storage so I can readily grab it when I go in the backyard to shoot.
Nice set up Norman.
Right? Very nice, indeedy...
That would be a good system for me and mine, cuz once I start buying tanks, Ima need several.....and....a....c-o-m-p-r-e-s-s-o-r...gotta face that fact sooner or later, mhmm..
:D Chickie
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I store mine in my garage in a container. I have five 87 CF (60 minutes tank) and three 65 CF (45 minutes tanks). All except one 45 minute tank fit inside and the extra I put on top of my storage so I can readily grab it when I go in the backyard to shoot.
Nice set up Norman.
Thanks. SCBA tanks are very tough and can withstand a lot of stressful conditions. Just think of what firemen do with their tanks. I challenged anyone to find a credible report of a SCBA tank exploding or causing harm to anyone. They are built completely different from an aluminum or steel tank. Here is a picture of my tanks in the storage bin.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/blackdiesel/Air%20guns/IMG_20170706_120156_zpsjryrjqsl.jpg)
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That's a whole lot of shooting available in that storage bin!
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SCBA tanks are extremely safe.
I spent 12 years as a firefighter and 5 years as a state fire instructor. Never seen or heard of an incident with SCBA exploding does not happen, that I know of . They slow out sort of (very rapidly) if ruptured (I have seen this happen).
Extreme heat I have had my gear, radio, and other bits melted in fires and the tanks survive just fine. We have gone from sub zero Feb. temps to 1100°F burning rooms and the tanks take the punishment just fine. Guys had ceilings and roofs collapse on them and the bottles save their butts from being crushed more than once.
So a hot or cold shed is sure as *(&^ not going to hurt them.
Biggest thing would be abrasions, cuts or gashes which could weaken the integrity of the tank. So you buy a tank and want it to last just protect the tank with a cover, bottom bumpers, etc.