User avatar
Vintagediver
Master Diver
Posts: 269
Joined: Mon Jul 11, 2005 7:28 pm
Location: Benzonia, Michigan

Re: Infuriating Hydro Testers

Tue Apr 27, 2021 6:48 pm

Thank you Tom for posting this procedure; I've been watching this thread with great interest and was hoping to get information in regards to this . I plan on printing off a copy of this for my own information, and also plan on taking copies to my LDS and the hydro test facility in Traverse City . Hopefully sharing this info with them may help prevent any possible problems in the future. Terry :D
The friendship of many has been inspired and created while together we've explored beneath the waves the wonders of God's creation.

NAVED Member #137
Member of The 2016, 2017 Sea Hunt Forever Dive Team

User avatar
rhwestfall
Master Diver
Posts: 631
Joined: Thu Jan 16, 2014 2:34 pm
First Name: Robert
Location: "La Grande Ile"

Re: Infuriating Hydro Testers

Wed Apr 28, 2021 7:06 am

The other part of the puzzle I am seeing happen is that the tester is only holding the test pressure for the minimum time while the test procedure says "until stabilization occurs" (with a minimum time cited). My discussions with manufacturers has identified this as a critical error leading to failed tanks being documented.

I lost a LP85 (Worthington/XS Scuba) at the first requalification that had only been filled maybe a dozen times, and never above 2700.
Bob

No Longer Awaiting my Kraken.....

User avatar
eskimo3883
Master Diver
Posts: 383
Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:15 pm

Re: Infuriating Hydro Testers

Sat May 08, 2021 8:33 pm

Why the pre-test is needed for some thicker zinc coated tanks...

I was having a hard time understanding why a Pre-test would help deliver a more accurate test. This page has a vid from Worthington that explains why the pre-test is needed for some thicker zinc coated tanks. Steel tanks expand and contract with pressure cycling as long as they are not taken beyond their elastic capabilities. A "surplus" thickness in the galvanized coating can prevent the steel from returning to the original state and this makes it look like a tank that is no longer elastic. They say the canadian DOT agrees with this assessment and that they actually changed the formal Canadian testing protocol because of it. The web page provides the changed rules for downloading. Take home is sInce thicker zinc has better corrosion protection the Canadian government changed their rules to prevent encouraging the use of thinner zinc. I am assuming the USA based rules do not prevent a pre-test but also do not require a pre-test. Maybe playing the vid for a hydro tester would make some headway. You can jump to 3:30 minutes to hear about the testing issue.

Makes sense that older tanks would be more likely to have a beefy '57 chevy like thick galvanized coating thicker zinc than a newer tank that saved some $$$ by using a thinner coating. I also expect older but well soaked tanks could have thinner zinc from the expected sacrificial corrosion. So, with no pre-test a well used vintage tank soaked in a lot of salt water might pass easier than a near mint vintage tank used only in fresh and maintaining its original thicker zinc. Hence, punishing the good guy. As I understand things the hydro does not push a tank beyond its elastic capabilities so you could hydro a steel tank hundreds of times and not change the tank in any way. This is why doing a pr-test is not cheating the test. Same concept as why it's safe for the wings of airliners to stretch up and down a million times.

I am hoping the engineers and metallurgists will step in and correct me if I have this wrong.

https://www.xsscuba.com/sp14157
“A skin diver is a fellow who pulls on a pair of fancy swimming trunks, some rubber fins, a diving mask and canvas gloves, then fills his lungs with air and noses down into the ocean looking for two fisted trouble.”

Return to “General Discussions”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 46 guests