13 ci HPA Woes

Ivan · 07-23-2008, 07:26 PM

Hey all,

I recently bought a 13 ci HPA tank from a reputable MCB member. So I am not doubting what he sold me, but I'm just wondering.

It is a Catalina Cylinder tank. The label on it says CO2 Capacity 3.5 Ounces High Pressure Aluminum Alloy Cylinder, though when I questioned the member, he said the tank could be used for CO2 or HPA. He also sent an unattached 4500 PSI reg.

The tank is stamped with:
DOT-3AL3000
TC-3ALM207 (I live in Canada so this was a must)
And a Hydro date 01/03

I took the tank to the paintball store today for them to put the reg on and fill it up. First we had troubles of what to do about the 4500 PSI reg on the tank, so we put a 3000 PSI burst disk in. Next the worker saw that it was out of hydro and said he couldn't fill it. I told him these smaller tanks are hydro exempt, but he said it would be marked DOT-E if it was (E for exempt). And THEN he saw the CO2 label and said it wasn't even an HPA tank, and so I have a non-hydroed, 3.5 in CO2 tank. There was a second guy there and he agreed; I've known these guys for a while, so I do trust what they told me.

So do I actually have an HPA or CO2 tank? Are these guys crazy and these tanks are exempt from hydro? Should I just buy a new tank? Help!

RealtorTommy · 07-23-2008, 07:30 PM

Pic?....or measurements?

russc · 07-23-2008, 07:30 PM

Can you please host a photo of it? 13ci tanks can hold more than 3.5 oz of CO2.

It has the requisite DOT3AL to be hydro exempt. If it has a label on it, there's a chance that someone just slapped the sticker from a 3.5 oz tank on there.

t("t) · 07-23-2008, 07:41 PM

Yes we really need a pic or measurements to tell. 13ci tanks are longer than 3.5oz tanks so we may be able to tell by a pic.

Ivan · 07-23-2008, 07:50 PM

Hey here's the pic! Taking with my webcam sorry. In reference the ruler is 6 inches long.

Moose · 07-23-2008, 07:50 PM

Just so they (the employees know) DOT-E does not mean the tank is exempt from hydro.

And that is a 13/3000, not a 3.5, it is much to long.

russc · 07-23-2008, 08:02 PM

That there's a 13ci 3k tank, that someone has slapped a 3.5oz 1.8k sticker on.

Ivan · 07-23-2008, 08:04 PM

Hm ok. Should I remove the sticker then?

Also, what should I do about the 4500 PSI reg on a 3000 PSI tank? Should I spend on a 3000 PSI reg, or can I easily use the 4500 PSI reg?

And how would I let the store people know that these tanks are hydro exempt?

russc · 07-23-2008, 08:07 PM

The 4.5k tank reg is fine. Either tell people you have a 3k tank, or replace the burst disc if you aren't up to that.

Search on these forums for "2 inch rule" and it should pull up some threads for you. Here's the important part you want to highlight when you print the rules out.

Quote:

DOT-3AL Cylinders "2 by 2 rule" (Catalina Cylinders Cliff Impact Division only)

Requalification not required per the note under table 1 in 49CFR part 180.205. The note reads, "Any cylinder not exceeding two (2) inches in outside diameter and less than two (2) feet in length is exempt from volumetric expansion testing."

hvacman250 · 07-23-2008, 08:37 PM

Catalina sends me those stickers when I buy from them. They are for when CO2 is used in the cylinder and should not be applied when an HPA reg is in place. Remove the sticker and tell the store owner to get informed

07-23-2008, 07:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ivan Geochronologist! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London, On. Posts: 412	13 ci HPA Woes Hey all, I recently bought a 13 ci HPA tank from a reputable MCB member. So I am not doubting what he sold me, but I'm just wondering. It is a Catalina Cylinder tank. The label on it says CO2 Capacity 3.5 Ounces High Pressure Aluminum Alloy Cylinder, though when I questioned the member, he said the tank could be used for CO2 or HPA. He also sent an unattached 4500 PSI reg. The tank is stamped with: DOT-3AL3000 TC-3ALM207 (I live in Canada so this was a must) And a Hydro date 01/03 I took the tank to the paintball store today for them to put the reg on and fill it up. First we had troubles of what to do about the 4500 PSI reg on the tank, so we put a 3000 PSI burst disk in. Next the worker saw that it was out of hydro and said he couldn't fill it. I told him these smaller tanks are hydro exempt, but he said it would be marked DOT-E if it was (E for exempt). And THEN he saw the CO2 label and said it wasn't even an HPA tank, and so I have a non-hydroed, 3.5 in CO2 tank. There was a second guy there and he agreed; I've known these guys for a while, so I do trust what they told me. So do I actually have an HPA or CO2 tank? Are these guys crazy and these tanks are exempt from hydro? Should I just buy a new tank? Help! __________________ "Is heaven missing an angel, 'cause you got a nice can!" Geology, where we're grabben a dike by the cleavage! http://www.usc.uwo.ca/clubs/paintball/index.html

07-23-2008, 07:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
russc MCB Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 4,269	Can you please host a photo of it? 13ci tanks can hold more than 3.5 oz of CO2. It has the requisite DOT3AL to be hydro exempt. If it has a label on it, there's a chance that someone just slapped the sticker from a 3.5 oz tank on there. __________________ YouTube Channel / Raincouver! / Gallery / Feedback / Blackleaf Outfitters -Russ

07-23-2008, 07:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
t("t) Rec Poster Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Mexico Posts: 90	Yes we really need a pic or measurements to tell. 13ci tanks are longer than 3.5oz tanks so we may be able to tell by a pic. __________________ "Traveling through hyperspace aint like dusting crops, boy." Trust-MCB PBN

07-23-2008, 07:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ivan Geochronologist! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London, On. Posts: 412	Hey here's the pic! Taking with my webcam sorry. In reference the ruler is 6 inches long. __________________ "Is heaven missing an angel, 'cause you got a nice can!" Geology, where we're grabben a dike by the cleavage! http://www.usc.uwo.ca/clubs/paintball/index.html

07-23-2008, 07:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
Moose Kicking Cancer's Ass Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Sticks, SC Posts: 485	Just so they (the employees know) DOT-E does not mean the tank is exempt from hydro. And that is a 13/3000, not a 3.5, it is much to long. __________________ Beating the crap out of cancer. Proud Recipient of Project M - Thanks MCB!!!

07-23-2008, 08:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
russc MCB Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 4,269	That there's a 13ci 3k tank, that someone has slapped a 3.5oz 1.8k sticker on. __________________ YouTube Channel / Raincouver! / Gallery / Feedback / Blackleaf Outfitters -Russ

07-23-2008, 08:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ivan Geochronologist! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London, On. Posts: 412	Hm ok. Should I remove the sticker then? Also, what should I do about the 4500 PSI reg on a 3000 PSI tank? Should I spend on a 3000 PSI reg, or can I easily use the 4500 PSI reg? And how would I let the store people know that these tanks are hydro exempt? __________________ "Is heaven missing an angel, 'cause you got a nice can!" Geology, where we're grabben a dike by the cleavage! http://www.usc.uwo.ca/clubs/paintball/index.html

07-23-2008, 08:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
hvacman250 www.pbpumpshop.com Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 836	Catalina sends me those stickers when I buy from them. They are for when CO2 is used in the cylinder and should not be applied when an HPA reg is in place. Remove the sticker and tell the store owner to get informed __________________ Feedback

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