I have a 20# CO2 tank I need refilled. Bought on craigslist a few years ago, it had plenty of CO2 for my needs but it’s now depleted. I use it to make soda water, DIY soda stream of sorts.
The tank appears out of date on the inspection and a local beverage place would not refill. Actually they just swap them out. No wonder it was a good deal when I bought it.
Any ideas on getting it inspected. Don’t want to pay a bunch. I would be just fine with someone refilling it as it is if you know anyone with a large liquid CO2 supply like a craft beer store.
They wont refill it if it is out of date on the Hydrotest. The hydrotest is not that expensive. If you keep them swapped my then you wont have to worry about it later. I think I was quoted 50$ for the test the last time I asked for my 125CF Argon.
I’m not sure if this applies here (don’t know what CO2 suppliers do), but with propane I always keep my own tanks in very clean condition. I have them refilled for about half the cost per pound of the exchange places (which only fill to 15#).
When a tank approaches the 12 year limit I take it to Kroger and swap it for the nicest, cleanest tank I can find for the ~$18 they charge. I’ve scored tanks that probably hadn’t been refilled more than once or twice and are in new condition. I can’t believe people swap out their shiny new $45 tanks.
I have similar set-up at home, 20# tank. First is your tank a siphon or non-siphon? You need a non-siphon tank.
Soda Stream 60L bottle (what is sold in US) has 14 oz of CO2. = 0.875 lbs
There is a way to refill it, Paint gun sports fans do this: dry ice. Basically, get some dry ice, make into small pieces that will fit in the tank when the valve is removed. If you fill with 10# of dry ice into tank that’s equal to about 11.5 soda stream bottles (or about $185 in refills.) Replace valve and let it set till the dry ice goes through it’s phase change and you end up with liquid and gaseous CO2. Lots of YouTube videos.
I’d strongly advise against using a non-tested tank and definitely wouldn’t go above 10# and keep it in cool house, 85F<. But the tank is probably rated at 1800 psi (look on shoulder for rating). CO2 at room temperatures, at 90F ~ 32C, will have pressure of about 1,100 psi. At 80F your just under 1,000 psi. @100F it’s around 1,200 psi and at the supercritical phase and stays there until it gets really hot. Aren’t you glad you paid attention in Chem class on gas phase change and pressure!
I have no idea what it costs to get a tank hydro-tested, probably half the cost of a new one. I bought mine at Metro Welding for $138 plus $20 to fill. You just exchange tanks when you get it refilled.
I paid about $220 for my tank + the soda stream adapter with a 72 hose. The first time I refilled it I was ahead about $100 even since it was equal to 23 regular Soda Stream bottles at $15 equals $325. But I didn’t have to constantly change bottles, go to store, etc. Lasts about a year for me.
To be clear, I don’t actually have a soda stream. I just use these modified soda caps as shown. Not quite as elegant as the SS but works quite well. Use cold water, fill to 3/4 of the bottle. Pressurize to 50 PSI with CO2, shake, repeat a few times until you sense the bottle not taking any more CO2. Then replace the cap with a regular one or not.
I don’t think I can get the big top off the 20# tank. Looks like it would take quite a wrench or perhaps a special machine. Well I’ll check around. I’m not too worried about filling the steel old tank without inspection.
Yes, should have looked at the inspection date when I bought it.
you said you had it for a few years; tank inspections are typically only good for 3 or 5 years depending on type of tank.
Swapping for a tested tank isn’t that much, I would just do it. Most places you get it done will likely have a testing range of 5 years rather than 3 assuming you have a decent tank.
hon1nbo - thanks, this is a budget system. Just don’t want to spend a ton on testing. Might spend $20. Ideas on testing place? I assume a gas dealer but I imagine the standard ones are expensive. Perhaps I could work a deal on a combined inspection / refill with a gas dealer providing the tank passed inspection.
Take it to either an Airgas or Praxair location and have them swap it for you. They may or may not charge you for the testing cost. If you still can’t get it swapped for some reason, there is a company in Dallas called Cylinder Services that will hydrotest it for you at a reasonable rate.
As has been said in this thread prior, a typical cost is around $50 or so. That’s at a typical gas supplier.
when it comes to gas handling systems, there really isn’t such a thing when it comes to hydrotests and reliable filling. You either do it or you don’t. Things like taking the valve off and putting dry ice in won’t be very practical long term, and no supplier you should trust ignores the hydrotest dates.
To add additional info. You can get carbonater caps for regular plastic bottles if you want to “preserve” existing soda bottles. I use them to make root beer recipe variations.
They’d be buying me a new tank. CO2 isn’t the only use for that tank and it’s not theirs to destroy. They aren’t responsible for it if they don’t certify it.
Typically they stamp out the DOT labels, or they stamp “Condemned” or something similar on the tank in such a way it cannot be removed. Anywhere that cuts up the tank typically has it listed but I haven’t seen a place do it in some time.
