Q:

Degassing AirForce tanks

Hello,

I need some directions, if possible, to degas a standard quick detach airForce tank.
Is there a tool or some method?

I have done some search around the forum but all I found is a mention of the penny/dime method, but no explanation.

Help is appreciated. thank you

Cheers
Chris

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Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

RiffRaff,

thanks for the hint.
I did use a penny already and it did deform, indeed. But fortunately I did not get any of the overheating.
The tank depleted successfully, but if I need to do it again in the future I will use the dime.

Thank y’all for the help

Cheers
Chris

I highly recommend using a new dime instead of a penny. The reeded edge allows the gas to leak around the coin. I one time used a copper penny and when I returned after thinking the tank would be empty discovered a very hot adapter.

at first I thought I let it bleed off too quickly but then found the penny had deformed and cupped sealing off the airflow.
Instead of assuming it was empty I found another coin (the dime) and tried again discovering there was a lot of pressure still in the tank. I don’t understand why it got so hot when the penny sealed the adapter, I only know that it did get pretty warm.

when empty you can depress the valvestem by hand to verify the tank is empty before starting to work on the valve. Just hold the bottle and depress the stem against a block of wood.

Awesome!!!

thank you so much guys.
I guess it got to be the first time you can fix a PCP for a penny! :rofl:

thank you again

Cheers
Chris

I would strongly advise you to use Pandemic’s method. It is really not a good idea to be removing the gauge or foster fitting to degass. It can be very difficult to properly reseal these fittings. Quite often you end up having a slow leak. I have had leaks that would bleed down and then hold at 2000 PSI.

Get you an old fill adapter and a dime. They are cheap, work great and is the manufacturer’s recommended method.

Chris , if you have a pressure gauge attached to your tank then you need to slowly unscrew the pressure gauge from the tank . I mean very slowly so that you do not
allow any build-up of moisture to be deposited inside of the air tank . When I say slowly , I mean walk away for an hour at least until the tank shows that it is
completely empty . Then you will need to remove the pressure gauge completely and apply plumbers tape to the pressure gauge treads and then rescrew
pressure gauge to a snuge fit , be careful not to over tighten gauge . Then you can recharge your air tank .

Hope this will be of some help :

FROM : THE BIRDMAN

Put a penny or dime in the fill adapter and start to screw in on until it starts to hiss then leave it be for 10-15 minutes all done

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

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