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Post by antiquated on Aug 3, 2006 14:16:36 GMT -8
Hi
Has any one experienced there local dive shop refusing to fill old scuba tanks. My local dive shop has come up with a new scheme I think! to promote tank sales by saying they will no longer fill tanks that are over 12 years old in either aluminium or steel. I recently took my newly hydro tested and Vip'd steel Walter Kiddie double tanks to get filled but was told that they no longer fill tanks regardless of condition that are over 12 years. I was wondering is this the norm in today's market place, should i run out and buy my own compressor to support my hobby.
Thanks
Frank
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Post by Linda on Aug 3, 2006 14:29:04 GMT -8
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2006 19:25:48 GMT -8
I bought a really nice compressor from Chuck Broxton........I don't have the problems you are experiencing anymore.......LDS's that have that rule can go pound sand...........
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Post by Seahuntjerry on Aug 3, 2006 23:18:15 GMT -8
Yes I have scuba tanks that were made in 60 and Cascade tanks made in 1927 and they still pass hydro and vip. quite doing business with them. Jl
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Post by Captain on Aug 4, 2006 5:15:42 GMT -8
Hi Has any one experienced there local dive shop refusing to fill old scuba tanks. My local dive shop has come up with a new scheme I think! to promote tank sales by saying they will no longer fill tanks that are over 12 years old in either aluminium or steel. I recently took my newly hydro tested and Vip'd steel Walter Kiddie double tanks to get filled but was told that they no longer fill tanks regardless of condition that are over 12 years. I was wondering is this the norm in today's market place, should i run out and buy my own compressor to support my hobby. Thanks Frank I think it is more ignorance and unwarrented fear than greed but in some cases a little greed may figure in.
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Post by luis on Aug 4, 2006 6:53:12 GMT -8
Hi Has any one experienced there local dive shop refusing to fill old scuba tanks. My local dive shop has come up with a new scheme I think! to promote tank sales by saying they will no longer fill tanks that are over 12 years old in either aluminium or steel. I recently took my newly hydro tested and Vip'd steel Walter Kiddie double tanks to get filled but was told that they no longer fill tanks regardless of condition that are over 12 years. I was wondering is this the norm in today's market place, should i run out and buy my own compressor to support my hobby. Thanks Frank That is absurd. I agree with Tom. I can’t tell were you are located, but hopefully you have another dive shop near by. In this situation the ignorance shown by the dive shop operator is so extreme that I would be inclined to write letters to his equipment suppliers. Just explain the situation and point out that they will be losing business because this dive shop is just driving customers away. Actually the letter writing should be the last resort (after you give up on them). You may try to help him expand his knowledge (if you are so inclined). There are a few good resources on the web (and plenty of misinformation). PSI (professional Scuba Inspectors) has a good web site. Good luck
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Post by nemrod on Aug 4, 2006 19:58:50 GMT -8
This all began with the Dacor other older aluminum tanks I think and more and more this misinformation has morphed into urban legend. You may in fact from time to time encounter shops that will not fill older tanks. I encounter themmostly in Florida but other places also. So then, why am I not surprised. Trying to educate them tactfully might be a tactic to use but most times people are ignorant because they want to be ad in that case--move on to another shop.
James, at Lake Wazee Vintage Scuba Assembly
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Post by duckbill on Aug 6, 2006 22:49:45 GMT -8
Speaking of ignorance, I just got back from a loooong trip to southern CA where I heard it all at the dive shops. One such case was the owner to whom I pointed out that my cylinder was hyroed with a legitimate plus rating (to be sure of a complete fill). He said, "Actually, the plus rating is only good for a year." I refrained from arguing with him, but realized after I left that he must have been referring to the viz-plus for aluminum cylinders! That owner couldn't even tell a steel/galvanized cylinder from an aluminum one!
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Post by Captain on Aug 7, 2006 18:04:41 GMT -8
The knowledge at most shops is dismal. I went into one of the largest and oldest shop nearby to get an 3/8" male to 7/16" female HP hose adapter. They couldn't figure out the right one without having the regulator and hose to screw into it.
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Post by duckbill on Aug 7, 2006 21:25:26 GMT -8
Tom, last week I finally gave up going back and forth with Diver's Supply since last December about this same issue. I'd have to check, but I think those hoses went back and forth FOUR times! I had ordered 3/8" HP hoses, and each time they sent me 7/16" HP hoses. You'd think they could get it right after at least the second time. I finally told them to just send the 7/16" hoses and throw in a couple adapters. They arrived a few days ago. At least they could figure out which adapters were correct. I was trying to avoid the adapters in the first place. What a hassle!
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YankDownUnder
Pro Diver
Broxton 'green label' Aqua Lung and 1954 USD Rene triple 44s.
Posts: 162
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Post by YankDownUnder on Aug 8, 2006 22:35:24 GMT -8
Antiquated........Here in Australia they have very strick test regulations and testing is annual for tanks all that used underwater. Steel 72s which have been tested before in Australia are okay, but they don't want guys like me bringing in more. I have one tank I cannot test as I brought it in to Australia, and another with so many test dates it looks like a jack hammer was used on the neck.
A friend runs a test station and has done so for 20 years. He says that the 72s are amongst the best tanks ever made, and rarely fail. That is something he won't say about aluminums and even new Faber steels, which are the most common here.
My suggestion is to find the shop owner and tell him face to face that he has lost a customer for life, then tell every diver the problem with his arrogance. If he is so worried about making money, hitting him in the wallet will be the best way to deal with him.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2006 6:01:02 GMT -8
Yank
How'd the hookah adapter work out?
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Post by luis on Aug 9, 2006 7:01:53 GMT -8
........Here in Australia they have very strick test regulations and testing is annual for tanks all that used underwater. Is it also true that down there the electrical codes require that all appliances, including double insulated hand tools have to have a ground plug. Therefore, if you bring in something like a double insulated plastic case hand drill you are required to have a licensed electrician change the electric cord and plug. Then when they go to connect the ground wire since there is no place to attach it they just screw it to the plastic case. I am not really trying to be critical of Australian codes (or high jack this thread), but I have heard this rumor and I a dying of curiosity. Yearly hydro test does seem a bit excessive.
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Post by Danny D on Aug 9, 2006 22:05:58 GMT -8
It is terrible to hear that a scuba shop might try tactics such as stated in order to sell new tanks.
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YankDownUnder
Pro Diver
Broxton 'green label' Aqua Lung and 1954 USD Rene triple 44s.
Posts: 162
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Post by YankDownUnder on Aug 10, 2006 2:32:02 GMT -8
The answer to your questions....
mossback....The hookah caps are incredible. I once told Broxton Chuck his banjo fitting was the most significant safety contribution recently made to vintage diving. The hookah cap belongs on that list. I have a Royal Aqua Master and the first cap went on it and it looks like it belongs. It now connects the regulator to a octapus/BCD filler, thus allowing me to dive a double hose and comply with all charter boat and diving club requirements. Chucko's banjo fitting allows me to attach a Suunto transmitter to make the unit complete, without loosing a vintage appearance.
Luis....by the way, I suggested to Karl that your Phoenix be labeled ---'Luis- Gagnan Process'--, I hope you agree. House current here is 240 volts / 50 cycle, and thus more deadly, so there are significant rules about wiring in homes. A ground wire (called an earth) is on most electrical wires and all sockets. The wall sockets have on/off switches.
Australians are a different breed no doubt and there are many more rules here. For example speed cameras and red light cameras abound. The car owner wears the ticket mailed to him, not the driver. There is no right on red rule and traffic circle replace stop signs and some traffic signals. The DUI B/A is .O5 not .08 as in most US states. Drivers under 21 display a red plate with the letter 'P' in the window (Probationary) and learners have a large 'L' plate while they get their 120 hours of parent supervised driving. Traffic fines are very high. Gun laws here make New York City gun laws look tame and so on...
Aussies are a good bunch though and no other nation has stood by us in every war since WWI. Their troops are in Iraq and Afganistan now. Their fish and chips are great and their beer even better.
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