My 1955 Rene 72 passed Hydro

[robohips77]

Well I am happy to report that my 1955 Rene 2250 Steel 72 passed hydro. I thought since I had gone in for my 52 year check up I would get my oldest tank checked (last hydro 1974) and I am happy to say the tank did better than me!

[scubadiverbob]

Hey, cool ... wonder if anyone has any aluminium tanks that old that can pass hydro?

[broxton]

Are you sure your tank is not a 2150? The Rene tanks were 2150 up through 1955. In 1956, they introduced the 2250psi tanks. They could have phased them in towards the end of 1955. If you're tank is a 2250 psi, could you tell me what month the original hydro date is. thanks, Mike

[mistral]

hey, Roger...my Rene cyl is 2150psi, original mfg date is 3-55 w / the Broxton address.
Regards,
Russ

ps: did you get the twin bands & harness .

[robohips77]

My Rene has a manufactured date of 11/55 and yes definately says 2250. I double checked.

Mistral received and awesome. I need to see a schematic on set up somewhere for those. I think I have them set correctly but if you know of one let me know. (old catalog? maybe).

[broxton]

Thanks for the info. I'm trying to find the cut-off date between the 2150 & 2250.

[duckbill]

Congratulations, Robohips! It is good to keep these old cylinders going for another 50 years!

Questions:

1) What does "RENE" mean?

Scubadiverbob gave me his 1955 Dacor cylinder discussed recently. It isn't marked "RENE", but if it helps it is 2150 psi, has the factory plus rating, and is dated 6-55.

Also, I understand this was called a 70. The dimensions look the same as the 72s, but the lower pressure puts it at 61.9 cf @ 2150 psi, and 68.0 cf @ 2365 psi (2150+ 10%). These figures are based on calculations ASSUMING this is essentially the same cylinder as a 72.
2) Are the dimensions of a 70 the same as a 72?
3) If so, why the increase in working pressure? Did they start making the walls thicker?

(Fred Roberts in his second edition of "Basic SCUBA", Figure A-4, shows the Std. "70" as 61.3 cf @2150 psi. O.K. That is close to the calculation I made, and would put it at 67.4 cf @ 2365 psi (2150+ 10%). Close enough to call it a "70", I guess, AT THE +10%. But, he shows the 72 (He calls it a "70 Plus") as 71.2 cf @ 2250 psi. We all know (or should) that the 72 is approximately 71.2 cf at it's +10% pressure (2475 psi), so I guess he goofed on that one unless there was ANOTHER tank called a "70 Plus". It would have to be larger than a standard 72.)

[caveman]

Can I borrow that tank next weekend, My double 108's are due for hydro.

[broxton]

Duckbill,

Rene Bussoz stamped all his tanks "RENE" while he owned US Divers. There's nothing different about them except if you're a US Divers fan. It just means you have an old tank from the Rene Bussoz time period.

Mike

[duckbill]

Ah!
My 1954 USD twin 38s (1800 psi, no +) are stamped "RENE", so that answers THAT!
Thankyou.

[robohips77]

Post to caveman, You can borrow it but I am filling it with methanox before you pick it up.

[caveman]

That hurts.