Gas Supply Device

[mrward83]

Unfortunately I have come to the point in my brewing hobby that kegging is a necessary. Having to buy an old freezer and convert it along with kegs just has to be done. Currently I have an aluminum 80cu ft scuba cylinder that hasn't touched the water in years and is sitting around. It can hold up to 3k psi. I was thinking about having it O2 cleaned again, buying a new valve and filling it with gas for kegging. Can I convert this cylinder into a gas supply for my kegging system or do I need to purchase a smaller one? Thanks for the help.

 

[zachattack]

I think you would have problems getting it filled. While it may be rated for the pressure, I doubt a legitimate CO2 supplier would fill it. You could try trading it in for a proper CO2 tank though? Maybe call around and ask.

 

[day_trippr]

Imagine the liability suit if that cylinder somehow ended up on the back of some novice scuba diver. Yikes!

Cheers!

 

[mrward83]

I doubt there would be a concern of it entering the water starting a liability suit with a novice diver but thanks for the non-value added feedback.

If o2 cleaned again, all impurities would be removed rendering the inner walls capable of accepting CO2 or nitrogen. SCUBA air is very pure and requires cylinders to be O2 cleaned, inspected for rust and other contaminants every year and hydro tested every five years. There is only one way to find out for sure. My main concern is converting the valve to one capable of accepting a homebrew system.

 

[zachattack]

There's no need to be a jerk, you asked what we thought and we're telling you. It's not an issue of it being clean or rated for pressure, even if you're sure it's safe it could still be a liability if anyone else ever gets their hands on it (as day trippr pointed out). And that's why I don't think a CO2 supplier would fill it for you. Like I suggested above, call a welding shop and ask. CO2 tanks have "CO2" stamped into them.

 

[mrward83]

First: The comment was directed at the other indivdual who posted a reply about liabilities. My original question was not centered around legalities or liabilities related to the cylinder getting into the hands of a novice scuba diver because it never will. Furthermore any scuba diver, novice or master, is taught how to recognize good and bad cylinders. A stamping of CO2 would clearly indicate it is not for scuba use as would the difference in valves. The comment provided zero information hence my non-value added feedback remark.

Second: The second portion of my original reply was meant to further the discussion and, without doing so directly, state an appreciation for the feedback I can use, yours.

 

[zachattack]

Well you can certainly put whatever fitting on your tank that you want, CO2 uses CGA 320. There's nothing stopping you from doing so. But the point we're trying to get across is that the legalities and liabilities will probably prevent this from becoming feasible unless you're going to find some back alley sketchy CO2 supplier. With that in mind, day trippr's comment is certainly relevant (especially following mine), and if you look around this forum you'll see he's given a lot of people great advice on their kegging setups. There's no need to rudely announce that you don't think his comment added value.

 

[Bobby_M]

I doubt there would be a concern of it entering the water starting a liability suit with a novice diver but thanks for the non-value added feedback.

Snarky crap like this will guarantee you don't get any useful replies. If you're not aware of forum etiquette, there is an unspoken agreement to allow uninformed and OT posts to be peppered in without having the OP shoot off about it. It's a hobby website afterall.

Here's some value... If your Scuba tank is aluminum, the neck is 3/4 NPS thread with an oring seal. CGA320, the CO2 valve standard is 3/4 NGT (tapered) and will not mate up. Sell that thing on eBay and buy a CO2 tank.

 

[mrward83]

Bobby_M: One persons opinion is just that sir. If I feel it is non value added I will state so regardless of how you feel about it or understand my response to be. Don't take everything you read in a forum personally as it was not meant to be. Some people are very matter of fact and to the point such as myself. An unspoken rule, if legitimate, should be in writing and not left unspoken. In my first post to this forum an individual laughed at the issue I presented yet I decided not to take it personally. Furthermore if you understand an unspoken rule concerning tact within a forum, your comment (Here's some value...) is no less snarky than my response. Or did I take that out of context sir? Seems like a double edged sword. I do know the neck of my cylinder is a 3/4 NPS thread but did not know the supply valve to be 3/4 NGT tapered. Thanks for the information.

zachattack: Again, and in a more direct fashion, will state I appreciate your original feedback as well as all other. However day_trippr's original feedback did not address the concern I raised.

 

[Bobby_M]

In my first post to this forum an individual laughed at the issue I presented yet I decided not to take it personally.

I went through that thread and found nothing of the sort. Again, I don't think you fully get the way forums work and how casual the banter generally is even in technical discussions. Give it a shot for a while, but I think you're going to be very frustrated around here.