Just wondering if the bottle itself has a lifespan ?

I'm contemplating getting an old bottle from my bro-in-law... it's one of those 10 lb bottles that looks like a 15lb. It's an original NOS 10lb bottle, but it's taller than the normal 10er.

Just wanted to know, since it's old and prolly been in a few cars.... any way to test it ?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by X2BOARD &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Just wondering if the bottle itself has a lifespan ?

I'm contemplating getting an old bottle from my bro-in-law... it's one of those 10 lb bottles that looks like a 15lb. It's an original NOS 10lb bottle, but it's taller than the normal 10er.

Just wanted to know, since it's old and prolly been in a few cars.... any way to test it ?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not sure with nitrous bottles but I know with scuba tanks that since they are alumnium we need to have them visually inspected every year and crack tested every 5 years.. On alumnium tanks you dont need to worry about rust so I would say that they probably never go bad..

 

If it holds pressure, and has all the proper engravings to allow it to be used at the track - good to go.

 

Some places wont fill it if its a certain number of years old (not sure how many)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tgreaves &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Not sure with nitrous bottles but I know with scuba tanks that since they are alumnium we need to have them visually inspected every year and crack tested every 5 years.. On alumnium tanks you dont need to worry about rust so I would say that they probably never go bad..</TD></TR></TABLE> beat me to it

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SOHCD16y8 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> beat me to it</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep, the dreaded hydro testing..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tgreaves &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Yep, the dreaded hydro testing.. </TD></TR></TABLE>

What kinda places do this ?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by X2BOARD &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

What kinda places do this ?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Scuba shops send them out somewhere to get it done.. If you have a nitrous bottle and want to get it checked just to be safe then remove the valve after its empty and take it to a scuba shop and tell them you need a crack test and VIP on it..

 

They do have a date stamp on them which is good for 5 years as I remember. But I have yet to find a shop that actually checks the date before filling. Call your local welding shop (Norco, oxarc, etc) and they will point you in the right direction.

Also, before you spend money getting the thing filled be sure to throw the bottle in a softjaw vice (or wrap a towel around it and use a normal vice) and unscrew the valve out of the top to make sure the bottle is clean inside. I have come across a number of older bottles that have junk in them that will cause you all sorts of fun.

 

If you sent the bottle off to get a hydro test on it they will restamp it for another 5 years..

 

sounds good...thx ppl !