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Compressor tank expiration

PassnThru

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Jan 5, 2010
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6,512
Location
Bowling Green KY
Well - it seems that my pancake compressor tank has magically become unsafe to use anymore. Purchased in 2012. Used only occasionally when portability was needed - not my main compressor. Always drained after use - never saw any rust colored water come out. Not sure when they started doing this but I have to wonder how many of these get trashed every year because of it. Of course that's assuming anyone even noticed the tag. I only have 3 years left on my main compressor also.
Maybe I should remove the tag and donate it to an orphanage run by Nuns that raises puppies.
They could carry it on their bus...... :willy_nil

Nah - I think I'll keep it.

Compressor.jpg
 
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stonesfan68

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Apr 19, 2012
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Houston, TX
I can't say that I blame them for label. Most people are stupid and don't drain the tank or give it an inspection every-one-in-awhile.
 

reader2580

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Dec 31, 2014
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Minneapolis, MN
I wouldn't be surprised if safety czars at companies require that small compressors like these get replaced at the expiration date. It is a small cost to company compared to a lawsuit if something happens and a lawyer notes the tank was expired. These compressors are so cheap it doesn't make sense to spend the money to test them.
 

mike93lx

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Dec 9, 2013
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Richmond, VA
I wouldn't be surprised if safety czars at companies require that small compressors like these get replaced at the expiration date. It is a small cost to company compared to a lawsuit if something happens and a lawyer notes the tank was expired. These compressors are so cheap it doesn't make sense to spend the money to test them.
I'm sure they get discarded right into the bed of a pickup truck
 

CoogarXR

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Jan 11, 2016
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Ohio
I've debated replacing my 25 gallon compressor that I bought in 1994-ish. It's still looks brand new on the outside, but it did sit for 15 years or so unused with some water in it. I have no idea the condition of the inside. I don't wanna be that guy with the compressor rocketing through the roof, lol.
 

dscheidt

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Apr 26, 2017
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2,909
I wouldn't be surprised if safety czars at companies require that small compressors like these get replaced at the expiration date. It is a small cost to company compared to a lawsuit if something happens and a lawyer notes the tank was expired. These compressors are so cheap it doesn't make sense to spend the money to test them.
I doubt many of them last long enough to have tanks expire. they get dropped, lost, stolen, run over by a fork lift, or whatever before that happens. But I'm sure there are places that replace them at expiration (and that most of them end up at employee's houses or garage sales).
 

dcg9381

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Jun 20, 2018
Messages
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Location
Austin, TX
<how many get trashed per year due to tank cert>
Zero
Funny, I just pulled one of this brand out of the neighborhood dumpster. Plugged it in, fired right up. It's over-pressure valve blew off early and it's compressor shut-off didn't work. I bought both parts for about $25. I thought this would be a "learning experience" for the child on fixing something, but 1.5 hours later and with a bunch of specularity tools, it was fixed. Not worth the pain in the ***. I now have 3 pancake compressors. I'm approaching "hording" status.
 
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Snapped-off

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Feb 22, 2012
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Indiana
Punch some holes through the tank and toss it... Yeah right. 😂

I had to do that with a bunch of SCBA bottles.
 

darkzero

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Oct 20, 2011
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Location
SoCal
Lol, wtf. I've never seen or heard of such labels before but I'm not surprised they exist now a days. I can't imagine anyone would toss out an air compressor simply cause it had an expired date on it (unless maybe it was someone who has absolutely no knowlegede & experience with using tools).

You wonder how many get trashed because of this (I say zero also), I wonder how many of these tags expired tags have been removed.

I wouldn't even remove the tag if it's for personal use. If someone questions it, let them be & just tell em that's how you live life dangerously. :D
 
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Walkers

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May 17, 2021
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Cave Creek Az
It may well be a lawyer protecting a client, but they are protecting them from an inferior product. If they made a certified tank they wouldn't need that, but then you wouldn't buy it for $600
 

PCustoms

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Jul 23, 2011
Messages
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Location
VT
It may well be a lawyer protecting a client, but they are protecting them from an inferior product. If they made a certified tank they wouldn't need that, but then you wouldn't buy it for $600
And a certified tank would still require periodic testing to remain certified.
 

johnre

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Dec 1, 2016
Messages
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Location
Portland, OR
I've debated replacing my 25 gallon compressor that I bought in 1994-ish. It's still looks brand new on the outside, but it did sit for 15 years or so unused with some water in it. I have no idea the condition of the inside.
You could inspect it with a borescope; they are quite inexpensive if you don't already have one. I inspect my tank periodically; simply pull off the outlet tube from the compressor head and drop it in for a look.
 
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