SCBA tanks

It can be filled if you have your own compressor. Otherwise it will need to be inspected and recertified. Far from "useless".

But I was told after 15 years they cannot be recertified or refilled legally.

I supposed anything can be filled if you own a compressor but why take a chance.

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the recerification that would extend the life of the tank isn't cheap and may not still be available to the public (per something I read about a year ago) . As for refilling something past the original 15yr life... while no scuba shop will touch them, many airgunners do it on their own. I'm one. Of course we take full responsibility and it's never something I would recommend to anyone else. 

Same tanks (but with different certification) often have different lives outside the US.' Why take the chance'... honestly, I don't feel like I am, but I also won't keep the tank too far past exp date. I do pull the valve yearly and after personal ownership for 16 years (from new) there is no evidence of corrosion or debris inside. No way to do the pressure test correctly. I do have a high end compressor with appropriate water filter.

All just info on why we do it / 'take the chance'. Starting off, if you are going to using a fill source you don't personally control,.. buy a new tank and keep up on the inspections.

That what the law said n who said that is the truth..but it back fire to mush tanks end In The dumpster..now with a proper inspection n test it could be recertified for another 15 years isn't that a miracle...it have all ways been good for 30 years + but that is no business..so they make a law to be able to sell a lot of them in 15 years...we air gunner are only a few imagine the government contracts when they have to change them all..that is the real business...but by logic if you se deep scratches n dings on a tank even if is suppose to be almost new with another 10 years I will not used..

I guess what they do is fill the tank with water, to check for any weak spots.Better to see water coming out of a weak spot as the pressure builds. I feel that if the tank is not all bashed up and looks clean its usable for my compressor. you can always not fill to maximum and still get alot of fillings.

I guess what they do is fill the tank with water, to check for any weak spots.Better to see water coming out of a weak spot as the pressure builds. I feel that if the tank is not all bashed up and looks clean its usable for my compressor. you can always not fill to maximum and still get alot of fillings.

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Not certain about this at all but I believe they fill the tank with water then put it in a measuring vessel of water and measure displacement from the vessel. Water doesn't compress so any cylinder expansion would show up as displaced water. I assume this by a video clip I saw of testing that seemed to show this as the method. Could be wrong.

That 30 year thing has been floating around out there for years now. I'm an ex-firefighter and am licensed to hydro. 2 of my 5 tanks are past the 15 year "life " & I have no concern as to their safety. They're built to last 30 & the current 15 year life is a VERY wide margin of safety. I still hydro every 5 years & always treat them with care. I'm not endorsing anyone do the same, just stating MY experience & knowledge. I'll be building a safety cage for filling when I get a compressor. THAT I WOULD recommend. Be safe guys! 

Read that in Europe the tanks are good for 30 years with hydro every 5 years. Here the recert is after an accustics test in which they basically listen to or for the pops and pings as it is pressurized. But what do I know?? Seriously, what do I know?

I will only buy expired tanks. $60 for a tank that "expired" last year because it is in the USA but is not expired if it were in a different country is worth the savings for me. Of course, like anything, you don't know the tanks life history but I would suspect a firefighters tank was always filled with dry air and tested regularly to be put on their backs. These tanks are designed to withstand upwards of 20,000psi before they rupture. I fill them with my chinese compressor run through a charcoal and desicant filter and fill to about 4200psi.

I don't think there is any true danger (explicitly) in buying a 10 year old tank compared to a 20 year old tank but inspecting for chips or dents is advised. Taking my advise does not inherently make you safer, but thinking your 15 year old car can keep you safe on the road only up until December 31st and then you must carefully deliver it to the junk yard, uses the same logic and provides you an equal measure of safety in my opinion. 

https://dalmatianfire.com/fire-dog-blog/how-safe-is-your-scba-breathing-air-cylinder/

Well I just bought one now on Ebay made in 2011.Hydro good til June 2021. Now I need to get a whip to connect to fill my PCP Vulcan I should be getting in the mail tomorrow. Does anyone have that hook up they want to sell?

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I bought mine from AGN member jking who builds them with nice quality components. You might pm him to see if he has any available.

I have a few scba tanks. This is a dangerous territory that shouldn't be toyed with without accepting the risks. That said... all my tanks are outside of their recommended life span. I took this risk because they came to me with a service history and they are Scott name brand. After a internal camera inspection and external visual i filled them up. These specific tanks were from a firehouse and a commercial refrigeration building where they were used only for ammonia leaks. Imo tanks built as ppe to save people's lives are more trustworthy. I have mixed feelings about Chinese, paintball or airgun purpose built tanks. In a few more years i think i might be looking to replace my fx480 bottle just for that reason. My two cents.