Carbon Wrap air tanks

[oliver13]

You could try looking up carbon wrapped cylinders for Firefighter's SCBA & drill back from there?
The same way ordinary air cylinders were originally from the SCUBA world, carbon wrapped cylinders are too buoyant for diving but are pretty much state of the art in fireman's SCBA.
I was working at a fire station a couple of years back that reequipped with Drager composite cylinders, possibly made by Luxfer. They had a layer of fibreglass armour, but compared to the metal cylinders they replaced they were ridiculously light.
Probably quite expensive though.

A quick squint at their site shows they're being made with a 30 year life now, which means they'll have a realistic resale value, or you could use it for 30 years...

http://www.draeger.com/sites/assets/...inder_8ltr.pdf

[richierich]

I've got a 9ltr CF tank, the weight saving alone was my decision in buying it. I had a 3ltr stumpy tank before that and they weigh about the same.

If you can afford a CF tank, you won't be disappointed.

[Dodger21]

You could try looking up carbon wrapped cylinders for Firefighter's SCBA & drill back from there?
The same way ordinary air cylinders were originally from the SCUBA world, carbon wrapped cylinders are too buoyant for diving but are pretty much state of the art in fireman's SCBA.
I was working at a fire station a couple of years back that reequipped with Drager composite cylinders, possibly made by Luxfer. They had a layer of fibreglass armour, but compared to the metal cylinders they replaced they were ridiculously light.
Probably quite expensive though.

A quick squint at their site shows they're being made with a 30 year life now, which means they'll have a realistic resale value, or you could use it for 30 years...

http://www.draeger.com/sites/assets/...inder_8ltr.pdf

Thanks
Yes, the thing is getting one that is priced reasonably compared to steel ones, I seen them at a £1000 plus if you buy direct form the manufacturers.

[Friar Tuck]

By coincidence, I've just been doing a bit of browsing on these. I've spotted one with a blown thermoplastic polyester liner that contains a boss made from either stainless steel or aluminium and are then carbon fibre wrapped with epoxy resin to withstand rigorous use. Unlimited lifetime, apparently. 300 bar. 6.8L weighs 3.0kg and is £250 +VAT (excl. valve). http://www.ashsafety.com/cylinders.htm

Any opinions on these?

[Dodger21]

By coincidence, I've just been doing a bit of browsing on these. I've spotted one with a blown thermoplastic polyester liner that contains a boss made from either stainless steel or aluminium and are then carbon fibre wrapped with epoxy resin to withstand rigorous use. Unlimited lifetime, apparently. 300 bar. 6.8L weighs 3.0kg and is £250 +VAT (excl. valve). http://www.ashsafety.com/cylinders.htm

Any opinions on these?

Interesting
These could be a game changer, my only doubt at the moment is there acceptance from some of the dive stations until they are happy with them, as I have been told they will decide if they will fill a bottle.

[Stormdancer]

Make sure the working pressure is 300 bar/ test pressure should be around 450bar
Lots of BA ones around (207 bar wp)
Also a lot won't have gauges or bleed valves.
Best fittings did have some a while ago may be worth a call.

[angrybear]

Make sure the working pressure is 300 bar/ test pressure should be around 450bar
Lots of BA ones around (207 bar wp)
Also a lot won't have gauges or bleed valves.
Best fittings did have some a while ago may be worth a call.

Clearly states 300bar charging in the link, & the price is for a bare cylinder without valve.

I have to agree with Dodger they look like the could well be a serious game changer in the PCP world.

[Norfolkngood]

Just weighed my 12 litre 300 bar tank and it was about 50lbs or 23kg. Believe me that's a heavy lump, like carrying a small child around.
I'll buy one of the carbon wrapped ones if they are any good.