Fills

JamesK · Jul 18, 2002

What are your thoughts on the proper way to fill? Some people preach that you should put the bottles in a water tank, some say no way! Others say it depends on the mix they are filling. I know that their are pros and cons to each, I would just like to know what you think.

I am trying to get an idea of what the general concensus of the board is. Ecspecially from those of you who do your own filling/blending.

Thanks.

WYDT · Jul 18, 2002

Originally posted by JamesK
What are your thoughts on the proper way to fill? Some people preach that you should put the bottles in a water tank, some say no way! Others say it depends on the mix they are filling. I know that their are pros and cons to each, I would just like to know what you think.

I am trying to get an idea of what the general concensus of the board is. Ecspecially from those of you who do your own filling/blending.

If you're doing straight fills (either air or premixed) I don't think it would matter one way or the other... if mixing, especially with Trimix it's a different story...

If you do your own you (usually) have the luxury of time and can do them very slowly so the heat issue is a moot point. Therefore most homebrewers I know don't use water. Not to mention water is messy in the garage.

O2 should be filled very slowly in any event. Most shops that use water do it because of time constraints.

I've heard (but don't know it as fact) that it stresses the tanks more to use water but I think (if true) it's not very much and unless you plan to keep your tanks 200yrs it wouldn't make a difference.

DSAO!

WreckWriter · Jul 18, 2002

I vastly prefer water, not only for the cooling but also as a (small) safety factor just in case.

Sure, if you fill slowly enough you can get a decent fill dry, it's easier wet.

I don't have my own fill station but the one personal station that I'm familiar with (a complex trimix station with Haskell) uses a water tank. On the other hand, my LDS fills dry for all mixes.

Tom

scuba_guy · Jul 18, 2002

we fill at 600psi/min and for O2 we slow it done to 60psi/min we don't fill in water. with steel tanks we let them sit a few hours and then top them up again

100days-a-year · Jul 18, 2002

We fill 100psi/min+ - ,this is especially critical in 02(can you say abdiatic)no water and top-offs are when tanks are cool to touch.We fill 8-30 tanks a week air,nitrox,deco gasses and mix.Hot filling lp steels doesn't hurt but I'm in no hurry .Haskell & booster pump generate serious heat so slow is good.In my next life I'll get omar to design me a Rix continous blend station.gotta get a He tester 1st tho .PP is simple with just an o2 analyzer.

DiveTub · Jul 18, 2002

We fill all our tanks in water, in the long run it is better for the tanks as they are not subjected to so much heat.

Also I cant see a customer waiting round the store for an hour to get his steely topped off.

Cheers
Chris
PADI MSDT
http://homepage.mac.com/sydney_diver

SDAnderson · Jul 19, 2002

Filling Cylinders In Water- Time to Review

Bill High runs P.S.I. and has presents pretty decent credentials as an authority on the subject. He has written a fairly comprehensive and balanced short piece about this subject - anyone with an interest should give it a read.

The wet-fill article is about halfway down the linked page...

Steven

WYDT · Jul 19, 2002

Originally posted by reefraff
Filling Cylinders In Water- Time to Review

Bill High runs P.S.I. and has presents pretty decent credentials as an authority on the subject. He has written a fairly comprehensive and balanced short piece about this subject - anyone with an interest should give it a read.

The wet-fill article is about halfway down the linked page...

Steven

This article looks more like a "CYA" (cover your arse) to me. Many mentions of "the Law" etc.

Also I found this to be interesting... "A cylinder is full when an accurate gauge shows the marked service pressure at a temperature of 70 degrees F. "

So when will that cylinder be at 70 degrees in Florida in the summer time?? Not till it's been in the water at a N FL cave for several minutes! So if they don't want you to fill in water and they don't want you to overfill (to allow for cooling)... how are you going to get a full tank??

I'm neither for nor against wet fills as I really don't think it makes much difference (other than to speed up the process) but this article sure doesn't sway me away from wet fills. In fact it may do just the opposite....

Just my opinion...

JamesK · Jul 19, 2002

I have to agree with you there Rob. That article looks like they are simply trying to cover all their bases. I don't blame them at all for doing that either.

WYDT · Jul 19, 2002

Originally posted by JamesK
I have to agree with you there Rob. That article looks like they are simply trying to cover all their bases. I don't blame them at all for doing that either.

No, I don't blame them either. They have to keep their ducks in a row with regards to liability.

I'd really like to see an independent analysis but don't think it makes enough difference for someone to spend the time on it. I think most of the stuff you hear is just someone's opinion or conjecture that's been around so long it's become fact in some peoples minds. I've sure never seen any real evidence either way... other than when I need a fill and don't have an hour to wait for it...

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