Folks,
I have a 1970s vintage tank. Specs stamped on the top of the tank are as follows:
DOT - 3AA 2250
52162
SSGP
IC75 +PST
8 c6 94
20
Please forgive me if some of the stamps posted above are not exact, as it is hard to tell letters from numbers on the stamps.
Moving onward, I hadn't filled the tank more than a few times from the time I bought it, until 1995. Then, in 1995 I had it tested and filled it again at a US navy hydro-testing facility; so I did not take notice of the details. I never had problems using it a few times afterwards. Then, I did not use it for many years.
Recently, I had the tank successfully hydro tested and tried to fill it in SE Asia. The American (ex Army) facility manager who was responsible for filling it, did not take notice of the tank details, and he had one of his workers fill it without further instructions. The worker filled it to 3,000 PSI or so, and the valve on the tank blew, almost causing serious injury to his staff.
We then both read the inscription on the tank, which rated it (and or) the valve at only 2,200 PSI. As a result, I had him put on a new valve, which is rated at 3,000 PSI or 240 bar. By the way, nobody seems to understand PSI out here : (
After all this, the manager continues to insist that the tank can now be filled to 3,000 PSI. I have disregarded his opinion, due to my own ignorance and his relatively careless procedures, and I continue to fill the tank with no more than 2,250 psi. Consequently, I am now requesting other opinions.
Is the manager correct, and can this 50 year old, rarely used, recently hydro tested tank (with a new, PSI 3,000 rated valve) now safely be filled to 3,000 PSI? Or, am I risking my life taking his, perhaps not so reliable advice?
All replies appreciated,
G2L