CO2 Expiration?
Printed From: Tippmann Paintball
Category: Paintball Equipment
Forum Name: Gun Maintenace and Repair
Forum Description: Important info for keeping your marker in top shape
URL: http://www.tippmannsports.com/forum/wwf77a/forum_posts.asp?TID=176139
Printed Date: 03 December 2025 at 4:16am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: CO2 Expiration?
Posted By: Wojofoo
Subject: CO2 Expiration?
Date Posted: 11 June 2008 at 7:18pm
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Do CO2 tanks go bad? My friend just gave me two tanks, but they have been sitting for quite a long time. Anything wrong? I fired it, and it seemed fine, however when I took them off after two times testing, there was a little pop in the asa. Could this just be air? Thanks! |
Replies:
Posted By: Yomillio
Date Posted: 11 June 2008 at 7:39pm
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Not sure what the pop could have been, but I wouldn't be concerned about it. The tanks should be perfectly fine, you won't really see a tank 'go bad' unless its many, many years old or heavily abused. However, you must get them hydrotested every three years to meet the certification needed to get the tank filled by a professional filler (by this I mean everyone except a friend who may have a CO2 tank to fill off of, etc.). Every C02 tank needs to be hydrotested every 3 years regardless of condition, so there is a good probability you will need to have this done. The test essentially makes sure there are no leaks and that the tank is structurally sound. Chances are that you can have a local paintball shop either send it out or have it done there. ------------- 
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Posted By: Wojofoo
Date Posted: 11 June 2008 at 7:52pm
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Alright I'll have this done when I fill up my compressed air tank. Does this take more than a minute of two? Thanks for the quick responses Yomillio |
Posted By: Stopwatch
Date Posted: 11 June 2008 at 9:10pm
| Some places will take your tank for a week to test them, you can also get it done at scuba diving places if you do not have a paintball place near you. |
Posted By: oldpbnoob
Date Posted: 11 June 2008 at 10:26pm
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The pop may have been CO2 escaping. Unsrew the tank one or two turns and let the marker shootdown before taking it completely off. ------------- "When I grow up I want to marry a rich man and live in a condor next to the beach" -- My 7yr old daughter. |
Posted By: Snake6
Date Posted: 11 June 2008 at 10:38pm
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Newer tanks need tested every 5 years, not 3. However when the time comes to hydro a CO2 tank you might as well trash it. Hydroing costs around $20 normally so you can basically buy a new tank for what it would cost to ship it off and get it tested.
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Posted By: Yomillio
Date Posted: 12 June 2008 at 6:02am
Good to know. I didn't know it applied to CO2 also. Isn't there a rule if your tank is less than 2.5" in diameter it doesn't need to be tested either? I heard about that once, and I never confirmed if it was true or not. Also, I agree that when testing time comes you should probably just buy a new tank. -------------
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Snake6 wrote:Posted By: Sidicas
Date Posted: 13 July 2008 at 4:01pm
Very interesting. The field that I go to frequently has got CO2 tanks that are so old, the labeling on them has completely peeled off or just faded to a whitish/yellowish sticker. The only thing that is readable on them is the white paint around the top of the canister that looks like it was either embedded during manuf. and it has a lot of numbers on it. If what you say is true about CO2 tanks needing hydrotesting, I highly doubt that my field is using "legal" CO2 tanks. Is there any way to tell if the only thing left on the tank is what is embedded or painted on it? Edit:
Yea, that would explain it. They're all 8-12 Oz. CO2 tanks and they're quite long and narrow. |
Posted By: The Guy
Date Posted: 13 July 2008 at 6:51pm
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I have a 9 ounce tank from 1987, never needs to be hydroed. Always freaks out the guys at the field who fill it though.
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Posted By: Tazzat
Date Posted: 15 July 2008 at 12:51pm
It's 2"x2'- Any cylinder not exceeding 2 inches outside diameter and less than 2 feet in length is excepted from volumetric expansion test. http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=2059688 |