Argh...steel tanks...

[Atlaua]

I've been in the market for a couple of steel tanks for a bit but I'm getting more and more intested. What I want is a pair of steel 95's but all the new "rules" are annoying me to death.


Am I correct in saying that a "new" steel 119 is the same as an old steel 95?

James

[SLIM]

Steel tanks are not cheap. If you do math and figure out your cft and psi you can see the differance. A 95 is not the same as a 119.

Ebay can have them come and go fast. Many used sets go fast. Most of the time they are within a year or less of hydro and then thta can cost money to have done. If your shop helps you out with that, not a big deal. I just sent in 12 tanks to be done annd have about another 12 to send when they come back.

Out of my 4 sets all are LP tanks. The 119 is not a true HP tank. FOr it to be it would have to have a 300BAR DIN valve and the nexk is a differant size.

Painted or dipped to me has no bareing. I have only 1 set that is all dipped the rest are coated.

Have I given you any help or just added to your dicisioin? What brand of vlaves, bands, bolts, ect... all can add to it. I have bought 1 set from ebay and 1 from another board. Just keep an eye out and they will turn up. If a budget is what makes you decide what to get and not getting the proper tank that fits you best is not a propper decision. DO you have anyone that can let you try the differant size tanks? Also remember to help suport your LDS because if you bye gear that they can get you might cause problems.


SLIM

[Brando]

I've been in the market for a couple of steel tanks for a bit but I'm getting more and more intested. What I want is a pair of steel 95's but all the new "rules" are annoying me to death.


Am I correct in saying that a "new" steel 119 is the same as an old steel 95?

James Hi James,
I think you're wondering whether the new 119 from Worthington (The X8 Series) is the same physical dimension/weight as the old pst 95's that were rated at 2400psi (held 95 cf w/the 10% overfill at 2640 psi). The answer is basically yes. They are the equivalent sized bottles. The X8's are rated at 3442 psi and hold 119 cf at that pressure....and hold 95 cf at 2640psi just like the old pst 95's. They both have a tank factor of 3.5 cf per 100psi and have nearly the exact same physical dimension. They just differ in rated pressure. Here's a link to a page that will show the comparison of a few new steels to the old steels:

http://www.diveriteexpress.com/gas/steel.shtml#x8119

The folks down in cave country who have been using the LP steels for many years and pumping them up routinely to the 3600 psi range probably had a little bit of influence in getting the industry to change it's psi rating for steels since they've pumped them up so often for so long w/o incident.
Regarding the valves one can use....that same site has some very good info regarding the use of the terms 200 bar and 300 bar din valves. The terms are quite often misused.
The FAQ's there are quite informative as well. Here's a link to them:
http://www.diveriteexpress.com/library/valves.shtml#dinfaq

Good luck w/your search for new bottles!

Best Regards,
brando

[reefraff]

I've been in the market for a couple of steel tanks for a bit but I'm getting more and more intested. What I want is a pair of steel 95's but all the new "rules" are annoying me to death.


Am I correct in saying that a "new" steel 119 is the same as an old steel 95?

JamesPretty darn close. The dimensions are very similar, though (obviously) the pressure ratings differ.

There is a list of tank specs that doesn't include the Worthington cylinders here: http://www.huronscuba.com/equipment/scubaCylinderSpecification.html

Worthington tanks specs can be found here: http://www.xsscuba.com/tank_steel_specs.html

Try before you buy.
There can be a lot of difference from one tank (or set of doubles) to the next in buoyancy characteristics. I've got a couple of Faber HP 100's that are doing duty as transfill tanks because they made me pitch forward so badly.
Coatings matter, though maybe not so much for us freshwater divers. I've seen painted tanks pit beneath the bands so badly in a year that they had to be condemned - despite the fact that they never got near salt.
Be leery of the PST E Series tanks. The "E" stands for exemption and unless the company is around in a few years (increasingly unlikely) to renew the exemption, they are probably going to end up being door chimes when it comes time to hydro them.
Be sure you only get fills from someone pumping dry air. Nothing will spoil your day faster than opening a tank for a visual and finding the inside corroded from water in the gas.
I think the new Worthington's are worth a look-see. They aren't pretty but they're hot dip galvanized instead of painted and the guys behind the company know what they're doing.
I'm a huge fan of the old PST tanks. I've got several sets of the LP 104's that have served me well for years. They're 106cf of gas at 2640 psi; overfilled (bad idea, don't try this at home) to 3500 psi, they hold 140cf. These are great tanks.

[SLIM]

I see a big differnace in the tanks. You might not think a pound here and there can make a diferance but it can.

4 pounds on empty , height is just a tad differeant, The small amount of differance can be great in your ability to be trimmed out. I know some that have gone to 85's for the trim. Very nice size tank and depending on the dive can give more then enough gas. Remember get the tanks that fit you best.

SLIM

[M&P+4]

This has been an interesting thread - I never knew that there could be much difference other than physical dimentions, capacity an weight. Who would have thought that some are top heavy....

I half entertain steel tanks for their better bouyance characteristics and for more volume - mostly for more volume. But for now I use less air than the rest of the folks I dive with. I'm sure that will change as my kids get better - then I'll have to ponder steel again.

[Atlaua]

This has been an interesting thread - I never knew that there could be much difference other than physical dimentions, capacity an weight. Who would have thought that some are top heavy....

I half entertain steel tanks for their better bouyance characteristics and for more volume - mostly for more volume. But for now I use less air than the rest of the folks I dive with. I'm sure that will change as my kids get better - then I'll have to ponder steel again.

This is exactly why I asked. I know that I want a pair of LP steel 95's becaue I've used them before and I like them, but they seem to be disappearing from the radar with the new ratings. So the final answer is that an older LP95 is close but not exactly the same as a newer ?8 119?

[SLIM]

The 95LP's are still availabel. You can still get them from Worthington and Faber.

I bet if you keep looking you will see them come up for sale. In the last 4 days I have seen 3 sets go up and get sold. Just got to keep looking is all.

SLIM

[Atlaua]

Just ordered a pair of Faber 95's.... thanks for the info folks.

[M&P+4]

Just ordered a pair of Faber 95's.... thanks for the info folks.

did you order DIN valves?

[Atlaua]

I got the pro valves, din with yoke inserts.

[theskull]

Just ordered a pair of Faber 95's.... thanks for the info folks.

I love my Faber 95s. Hope you're as happy with yours when you start diving them.

theskull

[SLIM]

LOL TS, I have to agree with you. I love my 3 sets and the 2 singles I have and use all the time.

SLIM

[Atlaua]

Picked them up this morning...probably won't have a chance to get them we until mid-May, I have stuff keeping me out of the water or in the pool until then.

[SLIM]

Well bring them down and drop them of, I bet I can see about getting them wet for you.

SLIM

[Atlaua]

Delivery? You want any special fills?

James

;)

[DeepDiverBob]

I'll take a solid 30%...great for diving Mermet.