This is kind of an extension of the K valve vs J valve thread as it is the conclusion and it is also me humbling myself in front of my peers.
I picked up an Aluminum tank of unknown lineage off Ebay for $71. With shipping it was just shy of $100. It had the J valve on it. I knew it needed a hydro and a VIP. The previous owner said it was old but barely used and in good condition. The valve looked in great condition, but the tank looked like it had been repainted as all the numbers were full of paint and hard to read. I found a WK on the side of the tank and at the time I didn't know what that ment.
I dropped it off at one of my LDS's to be hydroed and VIPed. I called them the next day to ask if they could disable the reserve valve on the J and I was told no. I was then switched over to their technician and was told the tank was made by Walter Kidde and the MFR date was '86. ( I verifed this ) Also NO dive shop in the DFW area would fill it due to the known dangers involved. This was expained in full detail. He did do a quick eddy current test and it passed. They weren't sure the hydro place would do the hydro due to the age and MFR date.
I probably could have found a place to get it hydroed, VIPed, and keep air in it. I could have taken advantage of the strong possibility that a filler would only look at the current hydro not the MFR date and if it was ok then fill it.
As it was I wrote off the $100, as a lesson, let the shop take the tank out of service, and decided to humble my self here.;-0
Tom
I picked up an Aluminum tank of unknown lineage off Ebay for $71. With shipping it was just shy of $100. It had the J valve on it. I knew it needed a hydro and a VIP. The previous owner said it was old but barely used and in good condition. The valve looked in great condition, but the tank looked like it had been repainted as all the numbers were full of paint and hard to read. I found a WK on the side of the tank and at the time I didn't know what that ment.
I dropped it off at one of my LDS's to be hydroed and VIPed. I called them the next day to ask if they could disable the reserve valve on the J and I was told no. I was then switched over to their technician and was told the tank was made by Walter Kidde and the MFR date was '86. ( I verifed this ) Also NO dive shop in the DFW area would fill it due to the known dangers involved. This was expained in full detail. He did do a quick eddy current test and it passed. They weren't sure the hydro place would do the hydro due to the age and MFR date.
I probably could have found a place to get it hydroed, VIPed, and keep air in it. I could have taken advantage of the strong possibility that a filler would only look at the current hydro not the MFR date and if it was ok then fill it.
As it was I wrote off the $100, as a lesson, let the shop take the tank out of service, and decided to humble my self here.;-0
Tom