Issues with hydro retesting of galvanized steel tanks/cylinders

[lowviz]

OK, hydro re-test cylinder experts. Let's hear it. (Please)

I know of at least two divers who lost old rare galvanized steel tanks to hydro re-tests. Both sailed through VIP. IMHO, that just shouldn't happen as they weren't banana'ed or ballooned. Word on the street is that the retest center *should* perform this procedure: http://files.meetup.com/517611/PST Technical bulletin D100.pdf

1) I usually come in with guns blazing saying that if one of my ancient darlings fails, I damn well better be called in before it is trashed. I want to be sure that it was properly tested. I want to see it fail.
2) How do I know if they did or didn't perform that procedure?
3) If the hydro facility should ever fail one of my galvanized steel cylinders behind my back, I assume that it gets returned. Right? Do I have any 'legal' recourse for some dope who trashed my cylinder? (No, I don't mean buying a lawyer...)

 

[happy-diver]

Mate recently I took in a 1973 steel US divers 1L pony with a tapered thread
I've been using it it's very clean inside sounds sound and the owner guy says
mmm um ahh mmm hmm
So I leave it there, I dive with the guy thought I'd take him some business
and i'm driving home and the car won't climb any higher than 3rd gear mmmmmm
so I turn around grab the pony back and the car flies me home like it usually does

so happy but no test. I have to work up some courage again and take it to another guy

I will never ever work out what hydro speak is, so no help at all

 

[rhwestfall]

Old & rare? Not the only ones... My treasured 5 year old LP85 (XS/Worthington) was condemned at its first requalification. It was 1 of 4 of the same tank in at that time.
His word against mine, and he has "the rules" on his side to make it hopeless for me. There is no way he followed the guidelines, but merely the rules, which is all he has to do. I was pondering attempting to get someone else to re-test the tank in the proper procedure for litigation, but with the destruction of the numbers, nobody will touch it. Plus, what would it cost me in legal fees vs. cost to get a new tank..

Guideline says to hold until stabilization, and that number can be in excess of 5 minutes in some instances (but within any allowance for the test). Guy is a dick, and sucks at his job. Same guy who, despite having the actual REE number stamped into the tank, won't +-rate - ummmm it is simple math, and numbers you have from the regular test). Problem is, there aren't a significant number of testers available around here...

Bottom line, we are at their mercy. The test data provided to me doesn't show anything except the numbers. No times or evidence of stabilization. Beyond unhappy, and I'd love to put the tank through his shop's front window...

At least the "old" tanks had a decent life.... mine was improperly cut short...

YMMV

 

[lowviz]

Bottom line, we are at their mercy.

Thought so.

Guideline says to hold until stabilization, and that number can be in excess of 5 minutes in some instances (but within any allowance for the test).

Thank you for the added information!

Does anyone have any additional tips other than taping the rounding/stabilizing procedure to the tank before you release it for hydro???

 

[rhwestfall]

High-lite the "until stabilized" portion of the text in the document. The test has a minimum number, and they use it as the only amount of time to do the test for....

 

[JackD342]

Communication.
If at the hydro facility itself, try to ask if they have experience testing these cylinders.
If through an LDS, ask if they have any track record of sending these cylinders out.

 

[rjack321]

Communication.
If at the hydro facility itself, try to ask if they have experience testing these cylinders.

This ^^^

Take directly to the hydro shop and ask some thinly veiled questions like "I heard about this 'round-out' pretest procedure these tanks supposedly require? Can you tell me what that is and how it works?"

Play dumb and see if they know what they are talking about, give you a blank stare, or just start spewing gas industry nonsense.

 

[2airishuman]

1) I usually come in with guns blazing saying that if one of my ancient darlings fails, I damn well better be called in before it is trashed. I want to be sure that it was properly tested. I want to see it fail.

Good luck with that

2) How do I know if they did or didn't perform that procedure?

When your cylinder comes back with DOT certification covered with XXXXXXX

3) If the hydro facility should ever fail one of my galvanized steel cylinders behind my back, I assume that it gets returned. Right?

Yep, you can turn it into a BBQ, make it into a table lamp, or turn it into a planter, because no one will fill it with the DOT certification XXXXXed out.

Do I have any 'legal' recourse for some dope who trashed my cylinder?

No because they're just doing their job.


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What you do is talk to dive shops and other divers and find out what hydro shop they use for galvanized steels. Then you use that hydro shop even if it's on the other side of the state or charges more or takes forever or whatever.

There are places that think the roundout procedure is "cheating" and that they follow the DOT's procedures not the manufacturer's procedures. You can't change their mind. Just go somewhere else.

 

[rhwestfall]

Prepare yourself that the actual cost of a hydro will approach $400.00 - including the cost to buy a new tank....

 

[AustinV]

Have two of these going in soon. Going to try to talk to them in advance about the test procedure and going to tape a copy of the testing procedure to each tank. Fingers crossed...