New tank, failed inspection.

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frunobulax

Member
Apr 11, 2020
40
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GA, United States
Update: They eventually called in response to my email, and are cross-shipping a new tank with a return label for the old one.

Hello,

Last week purchased a new SCBA tank from a well-known vendor.

This weekend I took it to a dive shop (supposedly the largest in GA) that requires their own annual visual inspection before they will fill it. I don't blame them, I would do the same because HPA can be deadly if something fails. FWIW, the shop gave me a tour, this is a well-equipped shop with giant Bauer compressors, and hydro-static testing facilities, so they probably know their stuff. They said they are one of the only shops that will fill to 4500 psi, and showed me an Omega cylinder they had just filled.

Anyway, they call me and say that the tank failed inspection because either the valve was cross-threaded, or the threads were bad. They did not remove the valve because they were not sure they could get it back on and did not want to make it worse. They said that the much-greater than normal resistance to turning was always bad or cross-threads, that is an inspection fail, and they will not fill it. They demonstrated to me what they were describing, and it seemed plausible. They have no reason to make excuses not to fill.

When I contacted the vendor via phone, their response was the tank did not need to inspected because it was already inspected. I thought the response was dismissive. They offered no solution or explanation at the time.

I am sending additional emails, to see if I can get resolution.

I may also try another shop, if I can find one, for a second opinion However, this dive shop said that no sane dive shop would touch that cylinder. Also, this is the only shop I have found that will fill such a tank.

The takeaway is: Always have a visual inspection done with a new tank, because some new ones from well-known vendors may be defective.

I will reveal the vendor if I do not get resolution.



 
So you gonna let others find out the hard way too or you gonna be a HERO HERE?
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It's not a legal requirement to inspect a tank before filling for the first time. You are lucky that they did or you would have been none the wiser for the next five years if it didn't leak. Do they charge extra for this service? I'm surprised that the vendor did not supply the tank prefilled. It would have been prudent of them to make sure it didn't leak especially if they had installed the valve themselves. That in its self is proof of the dodginess of their business practices. I think that you should out them to help prevent other novices from suffering similar experiences. 
 
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Tanks cost too damn much to have to deal with that. I hope you get it solved man, that sucks !

Have y'all looked to see how cheap tanks are in the UK? It's nuts. $220 for a 5 liter 300 BAR with hose and all.
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This is most likely because the ISO specs apply there, which is what Chinese manufacturers follow. You would be hard pressed to get a Chinese DOT certified tank, unless a US seller went through the expense of flying over an inspector to inspect a lot run.
 
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Sounds like blackmailing and a threat to me. Either fix it or i put you in blast. Lol. Something seen fishy to me. This hydro place said tank if Fked up but they wont take the valve off to inspect it cause they worry they might not be able to put it back? Lol if its fked up why are they worry to fk it up anymore? I would taken off the valve to inspect it. Btw you claim its a new tank. When I purchased my tank new, the tank came with the valve off. Its like brand new never used before. I was the first to screw the valve in. Never had a problem. So is the tank new or used? Why was the valve already screw in and had crossed thread already??? Another thing fishy is, if its new why are they inspecting and hydro testing it? I never heard of a fill shop doing this unless its passed the 5 year due date. Since its new, it would still be in the 5 year period. So they would just fill it. How about putting this hydro/fill place on blast so we know who they are and avoid them. I took my new and used tank to get fill and they just fill it with no question ask cause its still in the 5 year period. It seem odd they would even inspect and hdyro test a new tank. First time I'm hearing this. 
 
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Sounds like blackmailing and a threat to me. Either fix it or i put you in blast. Lol. Something seen fishy to me. This hydro place said tank if Fked up but they wont take the valve off to inspect it cause they worry they might not be able to put it back? Lol if its fked up why are they worry to fk it up anymore? I would taken off the valve to inspect it. Btw you claim its a new tank. When I purchased my tank new, the tank came with the valve off. Its like brand new never used before. I was the first to screw the valve in. Never had a problem. So is the tank new or used? Why was the valve already screw in and had crossed thread already??? Another thing fishy is, if its new why are they inspecting and hydro testing it? I never heard of a fill shop doing this unless its passed the 5 year due date. Since its new, it would still be in the 5 year period. So they would just fill it. How about putting this hydro/fill place on blast so we know who they are and avoid them. I took my new and used tank to get fill and they just fill it with no question ask cause its still in the 5 year period. It seem odd they would even inspect and hdyro test a new tank. First time I'm hearing this.
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Yeah some valid points here
 
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Sounds like blackmailing and a threat to me. Either fix it or i put you in blast. Lol. Something seen fishy to me. This hydro place said tank if Fked up but they wont take the valve off to inspect it cause they worry they might not be able to put it back? Lol if its fked up why are they worry to fk it up anymore? I would taken off the valve to inspect it. Btw you claim its a new tank. When I purchased my tank new, the tank came with the valve off. Its like brand new never used before. I was the first to screw the valve in. Never had a problem. So is the tank new or used? Why was the valve already screw in and had crossed thread already??? Another thing fishy is, if its new why are they inspecting and hydro testing it? I never heard of a fill shop doing this unless its passed the 5 year due date. Since its new, it would still be in the 5 year period. So they would just fill it. How about putting this hydro/fill place on blast so we know who they are and avoid them. I took my new and used tank to get fill and they just fill it with no question ask cause its still in the 5 year period. It seem odd they would even inspect and hdyro test a new tank. First time I'm hearing this.
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Bought a new tank and it was delivered with all valves in place. Took it to a dive shop and they said they would not fill without inspecting it first. Forgot to add that same shop said if the tank failed inspection they couldn't release it back to me. YMMV. It's gonna depend on the shop and their policies.
 
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