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UV tank inspection light

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 11:41 am
by spatman
Anyone have a recommendation for an inexpensive but good uv light for inspecting tanks?

Re: UV tank inspection light

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 12:03 pm
by mz53480

Re: UV tank inspection light

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 12:34 pm
by CaptnJack
Don't bother with UV light...
1) most synthetic compressor oils (the most common in use today) will not fluoresce. I wouldn't get fills from a place still using mineral oil honestly, its not nearly as stable and resistant to combustion/CO production.
2) even if there were a material in there excitable by UV, it would have to be so grossly contaminated you'd see it with visible light too.

Not what you asked for, but I volunteered since it seemed relevant to your decision. :)

PS you can make a good inspection light from one of the short light ropes they often sell at Xmas-time.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-E ... /203703596

Some black electrical tape can be used over the base section (6" or so) to help you see around/past the light in the thread area of the tank. Otherwise the glare is pretty harsh and its hard to see very far inside.

Re: UV tank inspection light

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 4:20 pm
by spatman
Thanks, Richard. I was wondering how necessary it really was.

Re: UV tank inspection light

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:51 pm
by BillZ
Hey Matt - So here's a list of supplies you'll need
VIPing your tanks....
Tank light - NESS has one on sale for $15 or you can build one. I use the step light that Richard mentioned and a pen light
Straight edge - I use a metal yard stick
Dental Mirror
Cristo-lube
Tank O-rings for 3/4 in (http://www.ebay.com/itm/190603446383?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT) for 7/8 in (http://www.ebay.com/itm/190896381303?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT)

Valve Rebuilds
- Big crescent wrench
- Torque wrench (you can download the torque specs from the valve manufacturers web site)
- Rubber mallet
- Sonic Cleaner (Harbor freight)
- Vinegar (Costco)
- Industrial Crystal Simple Green
- O-ring Pick
- Valve rebuild kit (NESS)
- Slotted screw driver

Tank Cleaning
-Tank tumbler (can be made from an old treadmill)
- Phosphoric Acid (Chemical supply store -you may be able to use flat diet coke but I've never tried it)
- Media- Steel tanks (I use pea gravel from Home Depot)
- Media - AL Tanks (glass beads)
- Tank Plug (you can use an old valve)
- Air blower - (you can use scuba air - not Nitrox!)
-Access to super hot water
- A tank stand (I made one out of 2X4's)