Need to buy a Tank. What's the right direction?

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Phil.Probe

Phil.Probe

Member
Feb 20, 2022
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Utah, United States
I have an a AEA semi auto (.25 cal) with a 500cc tank. Currently using a YH compressor to directly fill the rifle to around 3200psi.

I'd much rather use the YH to fill/top up a large air tank, so I can do quick and easy refills and keep on shooting, rather than firing up the YH all the time.

However, I know the YH are not the best in reliability. I'm not sure how long it's going to last (it's already 5-6 years old, but been sitting 99% of that time), and it looks like I'd have to spend $3.5K for a Alkin to get something that's truly reliable?

The other option is to use a dive shop to refill a tank, but then I'd have to get a used SCBA DOT certified tank, right? On ebay, they all look pretty beat up for something holding 4,500psi!!?? If I get a 97 cu ft great white tank from airtanksforsale.com I can't fill it at a dive shop right? So if my YH dies, then I put myself in a corner, since my only options is to buy another compressor.

What do you guys say? Great white or a used ebay SCBA tank.... or something else?
















 
Yes, the Yong Hengs are from China so there are a few that come out with bad QC and problems but the majority of them are quite reliable.

Especially if you keep oil in crankcase and water flowing through them.

With a few mods or just a fan blowing through them and a little ice in the reservoir you can fill or top off larger tanks just fine. They are well designed and fairly durable if you take care of them.

How to treat them and make them more usable and durable.

 Yong Heng post link

https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/a-dedicated-yong-heng-subforum/#post-1127767


 
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id get a couple of those used firemans 45min tanks on ebay and yongheng it ... if it dies get another one ... i suggest figuring out how far you can take the tanks down to acheive a '10 minute' top off with the yh so you dont flog the liven life out of it with long runs ... likely in the 3200psi range .. and let it cool way off if your going to do another one ... itl work out better i think .. you can spend more on fancy crap and you wont be gaining much advantage imo .. 
 
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As long as you have a compressor find a tank on Ebay. As long as the carbon fiber wrap & the outer resin coating is good & shows no outward signs of burn damage & mistreatment you should be good. Even though they have a 15 year "life" there's a wide window of safety built in. Check with a local firefighter supply distributor (if there is one near you) & see if you can score a used/expired SCBA after informing them of its intended purpose. I was GIVEN 7, 60 minute tanks a few weeks ago from my distributor (all of which is have been given to fellow airgunners). As long as you own a compressor you really don't have to spend a crapload of bucks. Look for brands like Scott, MSA, Drager, Surviv-Air to name a few. 
 
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Dive shops can legally fill a Great White as those are DOT approved as well as most of the other carbon fiber tanks you can get at airgun shops such as Omegas and Air Venturi brands. Just have to make sure the tank is within 15 years of manufacture and has had a hydro test completed within the last 5 years, and is DOT approved. And..the dive shop or you must have the correct adapter fitting to mate your tank to their compressor set up.

Purchasing a used scba on ebay for dive shop filling is only economical sound if you can find a really super price on a tank that still has some years of service left in its 15 year life and has a current hydro. For instance several years ago I purchased a tank off ebay with 5 years left on its 15 year life for about $75. Had to get it hydro tested for another $65, and then bought a quality fill station (new gauge, scba hand tight adapter, bleed valve and hose set up) for $115. So for the 5 years of service remaining on this tank it cost me about $250 or about $50 a year. I could have bought a new tank set up at an airgun shop for for around $600 which would come out to $40 a year over its 15 year life, but I did not want to outlay that much at the time and thus went with the used.

Looking recently I see sellers of current scba’s on ebay seem to really prize their tanks and are asking rather exorbitant prices. For instance ebay is listing some 2014 manufacture date MSA scba 45 minute 4500 psi tanks with 7 or 8 years remaining on their 15 year life that are going for $320 with another $30 for shipping, plus are in need of a hydro test. Without a fill station buying one of these would cost a minimum of $50 per year of service life.



 
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Dive shops can legally fill a Great White as those are DOT approved as well as most of the other carbon fiber tanks you can get at airgun shops such as Omegas and Air Venturi brands. Just have to make sure the tank is within 15 years of manufacture and has had a hydro test completed within the last 5 years, and is DOT approved. And..the dive shop or you must have the correct adapter fitting to mate your tank to their compressor set up.

Purchasing a used scba on ebay for dive shop filling is only economical sound if you can find a really super price on a tank that still has some years of service left in its 15 year life and has a current hydro. For instance several years ago I purchased a tank off ebay with 5 years left on its 15 year life for about $75. Had to get it hydro tested for another $65, and then bought a quality fill station (new gauge, scba hand tight adapter, bleed valve and hose set up) for $115. So for the 5 years of service remaining on this tank it cost me about $250 or about $50 a year. I could have bought a new tank set up at an airgun shop for for around $600 which would come out to $40 a year over its 15 year life, but I did not want to outlay that much at the time and thus went with the used.

Looking recently I see sellers of current scba’s on ebay seem to really prize their tanks and are asking rather exorbitant prices. For instance ebay is listing some 2014 manufacture date MSA scba 45 minute 4500 psi tanks with 7 or 8 years remaining on their 15 year life that are going for $320 with another $30 for shipping, plus are in need of a hydro test. Without a fill station buying one of these would cost a minimum of $50 per year of service life.


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I didn't realize the Great White was DOT approved. That would make the decision a lot easier, thanks!
 
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Phil.Probe said:
I have an a AEA semi auto (.25 cal) with a 500cc tank. Currently using a YH compressor to directly fill the rifle to around 3200psi.

I'd much rather use the YH to fill/top up a large air tank, so I can do quick and easy refills and keep on shooting, rather than firing up the YH all the time.

However, I know the YH are not the best in reliability. I'm not sure how long it's going to last (it's already 5-6 years old, but been sitting 99% of that time), and it looks like I'd have to spend $3.5K for a Alkin to get something that's truly reliable?

The other option is to use a dive shop to refill a tank, but then I'd have to get a used SCBA DOT certified tank, right? On ebay, they all look pretty beat up for something holding 4,500psi!!?? If I get a 97 cu ft great white tank from airtanksforsale.com I can't fill it at a dive shop right? So if my YH dies, then I put myself in a corner, since my only options is to buy another compressor.

What do you guys say? Great white or a used ebay SCBA tank.... or something else?
Click to expand...
The dive shop will only fill to 2900psi or 3000psi on a nice cool day. If your going to go that route, just buy a SCUBA tank for $50, have it hysroed for around $40 of it needs it, and a fill station for it for about $70. Or find a paintballer that has all that stuff for probably less than that he's not using. If your going to fill yourself, you don't need the DOT certification. You can buy CE certified tank from China for about $350 for a 9L, or a smaller one for less
 
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