How do I know if my paintball tank is expired?

Paintball cylinders need to be retested for its serviceability every three to five years. They also only have a lifespan of 15 years. HYDROSTATIC TEST or HYDROTEST – The tank is visually inspected for cracks then is pressurized with water to look for a drop in pressure or to see if there are any leaks.

Can you use expired paintball tanks?

Paintball tanks need to be re-hydrotested because the tank expires about every five years, and you want to be sure the tank's pressure doesn't empty out. To have your tank re-hydrotested, you should take it to a paintball gun professional.

What happens when a paintball tank expires?

Paintball high pressure air tanks will need to be hydro tested every 3 or 5 years depending on the bottle manufacturer. The date of manufacture will be marked on the tank, and it is your responsibility to have it re-hydrotested when your tank expires.

How much does it cost to Hydrotest a paintball tank?

It can cost about $25 to $40 to hydrotest a paintball tank. You might have to include shipping costs, which could be $10 to $30 if you're using an online service. If you opt to change your regulator, you could pay up to $70 to $90.

What's better for paintball CO2 or air?

CO2 tanks are compact and yield a lot of shots for their size and weight compared to compressed air. CO2 does have disadvantages that can impact your game. The number one drawback is tank and gun chilling. As the liquid CO2 is expanding it is also cooling; the faster it expands, the colder it gets.

Paintball Hydro Test Tank Dates

Do CO2 tanks expire?

While the gas in the CO2 cylinder does not expire, our cylinders need to be checked for quality assurance purposes by a certain date, which can be found at the bottom of cylinder. For best use, we recommend storing your cylinder at room temperature.

How long are aluminum CO2 tanks good for?

The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that most portable CO2 tanks, both new and used, be re-certified every five years.

What can I do with old paintball HPA tanks?

How long do carbon fiber paintball tanks last?

Carbon fiber air tanks, or fiber wrapped tanks are required to be rehydro tested every 5 years and have a 15-year life span. Aluminum tank hydrotesting needs to be done every 5 years however these tanks can continue to be retested until they fail.

Do air tanks expire?

Air carrying tanks do have “discard by” or “destroy by” dates, usually on one of the legs. These air tanks don't generally have drains and they are low-cost and often cheaply made, so using one past its expiration date is not the best idea.

How long is an air tank good for?

Its all for the sake of safety. I believe the tank should be thrown after 11-13 years because newer tanks are 5 years from the date on tank.

How do you tell if a CO2 tank is expired?

Read the third row of information on the crown of the CO2 cylinder. The date of manufacture, commonly known as the "Born On" date, is expressed numerically in a mm/yy format. The tank must be hydrotested every five years after this date. The next number indicates the tank's total capacity of liquid CO2.

Where is the date stamp on a CO2 tank?

Aluminum CO2 cylinders require testing every 5 years. At the time of testing, a date stamp will be imprinted into the cylinder near the top of the tank.

How do you read CO2 tank markings?

Here's what those markings represent: DOT-3AL - The U.S. regulatory authority, the Department of Transportation (DOT), and specification, 3AL, to which the cylinder is manufactured in compliance. 1800 - The service pressure, in pounds per square inch (psi), of the cylinder. FXXXXXXX - The serial number of the cylinder.

Can you put CO2 tank in fridge?

For aesthetic preference, the C02 cylinder can be stored inside the fridge so you do not have an unsightly cylinder in view. In all cases the C02 cylinder must be upright and secure from falling over. If the cylinder is outside the fridge It should always be positioned away from any heat source.

Do aluminum paintball tanks expire?

Paintball cylinders need to be retested for its serviceability every three to five years. They also only have a lifespan of 15 years.

How long are CO2 cartridges good for?

HOW LONG DOES THE CO2 CARTRIDGE LAST? ​Once penetrated on the first trigger pull, the CO2 cartridge will last 24 hours or 21 shots.

Does a CO2 tank have to be upright?

CO2 Safety Rule #2 - Keep your CO2 tank upright.

This can cause your low side pressure to spike and the excess CO2 to vent through the pressure relief valve on the regulator or keg coupler.

How often do CO2 tanks need to be tested?

Hydrostatic (Hydro) Testing is a process where components such gas cylinders are tested for strength and leaks. Aluminum CO2 cylinders require testing every 5 years. At the time of testing, a date stamp will be imprinted into the cylinder near the top of the tank.

How long is hydro test good for?

The DOT does not specify a service life for steel and aluminum cylinders, but the CGA allows for their reuse indefinitely as long as they continue to pass their hydrostatic and visual inspections every five years.

How long does a hydro test take?

Pressure, media and ambient temperature readings are taken digitally or with a chart recorder at specific set frequencies determined by industry codes and standards. The tests can take anywhere from 2 to 12 hours, depending on the application.

Can I fill my paintball tank with an air compressor?

Of course, you can fill other people's paintball tanks as well as scuba tanks, but for most paintball players, this option is out of reach. Don't even try to use your tire pump or a standard air compressor—it won't work.

What psi do paintball guns use?

In most cases, paintball guns use compressed air tanks with high pressure ratings, generally ranging from 3000 psi up to 5000 psi.