Portable air tank service life?

[JDgreen227]

Back in late '98 I purchased a 5 gallon portable air tank from Meijers, it was their MVP brand. I have used it perhaps once or twice a year since, it has always been stored indoors after use, and any pressure inside drained off. It still looks brand new. The carton and the printed instructions it came with state "Destroy or properly dispose of after date stamped on bottom of tank" but there is nothing there at all, I cannot even locate a faint outline of a date that may be obscured by factory paint. It was a $20 item back then and is probably a $25 item today, but given the limited use my tank has experienced, would you bother replacing it? And, does anyone else have an idea what the "Destroy by" date might have been? Ten years after manufacture, maybe fifteen?

Thanks.

 

[bigtiller]

If it will hold pressure, I wouldn't worry about it. I don't think it will ever blow up, it will slowly loose its air and over time it will loose it faster. I keep mine pressurized with about 50 pounds all the time.

That "destroy by" date sounds like a good marketing ploy to me.

 

[Clint S]

Usually anything that holds pressure ie welding tanks, propane tanks, even medical gas tanks such as O2 have to be recertified. I think it is every 12 years for propane. The destroy date is just to protect from lawsuits and it would probably be more cost efficient to get a new air tank than get recertified. I have one that is 20 years old and fine. I also made one out of an old propane tank for my dad too.

 

[TRR]

The biggest problem with air tanks is corrosion on the inside. I had a 20 gallon compressor tank go out on me while I was in the shop. Pssssttt. Just like a blow gun except it left a large puddle of rusty water on the floor. After the fact investigation found a small pinhole that had rusted thru. If it holds air, it should be fine.

 

[k0ua]

The biggest problem with air tanks is corrosion on the inside. I had a 20 gallon compressor tank go out on me while I was in the shop. Pssssttt. Just like a blow gun except it left a large puddle of rusty water on the floor. After the fact investigation found a small pinhole that had rusted thru. If it holds air, it should be fine.

When mine did that very thing, I just welded it shut, been working for 2 years now. Welders are a grand thing to have

James K0UA

 

[JDgreen227]

When mine did that very thing, I just welded it shut, been working for 2 years now. Welders are a grand thing to have

James K0UA

I can well imagine...maybe if I get myself a welder I can finally fix that leaky old LP gas tank on my travel trailer....:laughing:

Yeah, I may be old, but I ain't senile yet.

 

[k0ua]

I can well imagine...maybe if I get myself a welder I can finally fix that leaky old LP gas tank on my travel trailer....:laughing:

Yeah, I may be old, but I ain't senile yet.

Yep, we can scape your parts off of the rafters later.

 

[Bota Bum]

I'd keep using it but I would not take it to full pressure. And aways use safety glasses around it.

I bought a DeVilbliss 20 gallon verticle compresser at Lowes, about 18 months ago. Last month it spring a leak in the tank, at the weld point on the bottom. Picking at it I can see it rusted through. It was always drained after use and the drain valve left open. 2 year warranty, but I cannot find the receipt. The warranty center says if the date stamp on the tank i l ess than 2 years they will replace it. Stamp says NOV 2002.

Buyer beware. If your buying somthing new, make sure it IS new.

 

[Travelover]

You are probably OK, but air tanks can fail and can do so violently. I remember a news photo from a few years back of a guy literally flying through the air at a car race when an air tank failed.

 

[LMan1967]

Ive had mine more than 25 years, works perfectly. YMMV.