littledancersadhu
Active member
I check mine every year, and any which have rust. i clean them up and just give them a coat of metal paint.
A Small Rant: Why Do Lifejacket CO2 Cylinders Invariably Rust
- Thread starter savageseadog
- Start date
micheljt
New member
Some one will point out that painting cylinders will obscure the cylinder weight figure stamped into the cylinder. I am having doubts as to wether that figure is of any use. I have searched the internet,without success,in an attempt to find the weight of the gas in the cylinder. IF, its insignificant, weighing the cylinder is pointless. IF, on the other hand, the weight of compressed CO2 is significant, then weighing cylinders will be all important. Otherwise the one sure tell tale sign of a discharged cylinder would be a hole in the business end.
awol
Well-known member
CO2 cylinders are classified by the mass of gas contained. Most LJ cylinders contain 33g of gas. Weighing is a valid check on the integrity of a cylinder.
micheljt
New member
Thank you awol. Its just amazing that nowhere on the internet can i find this information,and i have spent hours searching. Now all i need is some official confirmation that the stamped weight includes the gas. I would have thougth it does, but making assumptions is risky
SaltIre
Well-known member
ylop
Well-known member
If you don’t already know this I’m not sure you should be modifying cylinders! However the weight embossed on the cylinder IS the weight after it has been filled with CO2, you can (and should) check this with a good set of household scales. Painting it will add a little weight but presumably not enough to be material - the difference between a full and an empty cylinder is noticeable.
I suspect the reason nodody sells an antirust version is we wouldn’t pay more for it (or not enough of us would pay enough more to make it worthwhile). I’ve never had a cylinder rust enough to be a problem without also thinking the jacket if was in was getting one a bit anyway.
awol
Well-known member
As an aside 25g, cylinders at ~£2 a pop are available for bike tyre inflation. They don't appear to be weight stamped so that won't be a problem. A bit of PTFE tape around the thread should make them fit.
awol
Well-known member
I feel I didn't receive the plaudits I deserved back in 2010 when I advised the forum that mixing Vaseline™ with latex prophylactics was not a good idea. Those who ignored me may have 14 year old unwanted progeny by now! My latest advice on this zombie thread may not be as entirely serious.
Marsali_1
Member
All theories require rigourous testing before they are declared valid or not. Perhaps some are still in the testing phase?
micheljt
New member
found of all places ,on a life jacket Safety Data Sheet !
HAZARDS IDENTIFICATIONCO2 Cylinder ::The inflatable lifejacket contains a small cylinder of compressed CarbonDioxide CO2 gas that may vent from the cylinder or inflate the life jacket.The cylinder may explode if heated, or under fire conditions.CO2 is non-toxic, non flammable and heavier than air. In highconcentrations may cause asphyxiation. Cylinders contain 33g, 38g or amaximum of 60g of CO2 gas.
then this on an airlines website
Dangerous Goods Documentation
The 50ML rule does not apply to lifejackets, however for info a 33g cylinder which is most common in adult lifejackets contains 46ML of liquid Co2
Thats a massive difference ! I would go with the Safety Data Sheet. From my past experiences with fully inflated jackets i wouldnt be concerned for myself if a cylinder was fractionally underweight, as a fully inflated jacket is a full in your face experience.
ylop
Well-known member
What is?
micheljt
New member
Oops. Should have been part of my previous comment. 46g of CO2 compared to 33g
SaltIre
Well-known member
46ml not 46g?
ylop
Well-known member
I think you should pay someone else to service your safety equipment.
micheljt
New member
My brain is fried from reading so much material today. Yes i i am in error comparing millilitres v grammes. BUT.... 46ml is about 47g,so i should be comparing 47g to 33g.
ylop
Well-known member
No it’s liquid CO2 (at high pressure).
micheljt
New member
micheljt
New member
No ? To what exactly. I am aware that it's at high pressure to be in liquid form.
ylop
Well-known member
All the information is in your previous post!
33 g (a mass) of carbon dioxide is 46 mL of liquid under pressure (a volume).