Any way to fill a scuba tank through the small tank fillers?

[Schroeder]

I have a scuba tank I fill at a scuba shop. It's out of the way, and their hours are not convenient. Is there a setup I can use to fill a scuba tank at my local field? Would a scuba yoke stepped down to the standard paintball tank male fill nipple work? Do I just need to buy this and thread a male fill nipple into the open female port with any necessary thread adapters and bushings?

Could I use the standard paintball tank filler that typically goes on the scuba tank to fill paintball tanks? I wondered if I could get a male X male connector to put in the filler and then connect it to the fill whip at the field. I tried something like this once. It seemed like I tried filling too fast and the fill station "locked up" and pegged to 4000psi even though a ball valve in it or the scuba tank reg closed off- probably a safety. This was concerning. I haven't tried since. I don't want to blow the scuba tank burst disk. Is there a safe setup I can use to fill this tank from a paintball field compressor and fill whip?

[XEMON]

disclaimer: watch out when making manifolds for the high pressure, make sure all teh fillings and joints are rated for the proper pressure. If you don't know what you are doing don't do it ... you can get hurt, and more importantly, hurt others.

If the fittings are open, pressure will equalize.
Note that the fill nipple on the paintball tank has a check valve built inside.

The compressor should have a yoke or din port to fill teh tank in the first place, just hook your tank to the compressor.
If you want to fill from another tank, remember, pv=nrt . Do the math and you'll know your end pressure.

Dumb question, did you check with your field if they are OK with it?

Note2: you cannot really fill "too fast" that little whip hose will choke the system and limit your flow.
Note3: some fill manifold have a flow lock in case of accidental failure that will close the line if the flow is too high, nothing to do with the compressor or the scuba tank.
Note4: scuba tank do not have burst disks ... never have.

[Trbo323]

Your idea with the fill adaptor and male to male fittings should work just fine. I would make sure the fittings are rated for the pressure. But also yes, check with the field first

I've never liked having the whip on my scuba yolk. It's just more air you have to bleed off when you are done. All my scuba adaptors just have a female QD on them. Just something to consider. Fewer parts= fewer things to break

Sent from my motorola edge 2024 using Tapatalk

[Schroeder]

Thanks for the reply. I will check. So long as I don't hit the burst disc pressure of 4000psi I think I'd be ok. I don't actually have the one with the whip either. Never have. I have one with a female QD screwed right into the fill adapter. I just grabbed that link because it was the first one that popped up on amazon.

[Schroeder]

disclaimer: watch out when making manifolds for the high pressure, make sure all teh fillings and joints are rated for the proper pressure. If you don't know what you are doing don't do it ... you can get hurt, and more importantly, hurt others.

If the fittings are open, pressure will equalize.
Note that the fill nipple on the paintball tank has a check valve built inside.

The compressor should have a yoke or din port to fill teh tank in the first place, just hook your tank to the compressor.
If you want to fill from another tank, remember, pv=nrt . Do the math and you'll know your end pressure.

Dumb question, did you check with your field if they are OK with it?

Note2: you cannot really fill "too fast" that little whip hose will choke the system and limit your flow.
Note3: some fill manifold have a flow lock in case of accidental failure that will close the line if the flow is too high, nothing to do with the compressor or the scuba tank.
Note4: scuba tank do not have burst disks ... never have.

Understood on rated fittings.

I'll check with the field. Idk why it'd be an issue though, so long as I don't overfill the scuba tank.

In regards to note 2; When I did this the first time I removed the female QD fitting from the scuba tank filler and replaced it with a male fitting from an old crossfire tank. Maybe the check valve in it somehow shut off flow to the scuba tank from the fill hose. I don't know if I had it removed or not. I heard a "click" and the pressure on the fill gauge shot to 4000psi, but the scuba tank remained empty. Perhaps the shut off came from the fill side like you state in note 3, but I think the gauge on it would've dropped to zero or stayed where it currently was at as opposed to shooting to 4000psi if this were the case. Is there a flow lock in these little scuba tank fillers we buy to fill from scuba tanks? I wouldn't think so. When I removed the female QD from it to install the male it was a straight shot through it all that I could look through.

In regards to note 4; they do have burst discs. Take a look at this tank valve. The part of it that sticks out opposite the on/off valve houses the burst disc. On this one it's quite obvious, but sometimes they're counterbored down in this extrusion where you can't even see them. This valve's description even talks about the burst disc.

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like I need to just reinstall the male fitting back onto the tank filler, put it on the scuba tank, and try to fill slower.

[XEMON]

I'll check with the field. Idk why it'd be an issue though, so long as I don't overfill the scuba tank.

At a minimum its good curtesy 👍

In regards to note 2; When I did this the first time I removed the female QD fitting from the scuba tank filler and replaced it with a male fitting from an old crossfire tank. Maybe the check valve in it somehow shut off flow to the scuba tank from the fill hose. I don't know if I had it removed or not. I heard a "click" and the pressure on the fill gauge shot to 4000psi, but the scuba tank remained empty. Perhaps the shut off came from the fill side like you state in note 3, but I think the gauge on it would've dropped to zero or stayed where it currently was at as opposed to shooting to 4000psi if this were the case. Is there a flow lock in these little scuba tank fillers we buy to fill from scuba tanks? I wouldn't think so. When I removed the female QD from it to install the male it was a straight shot through it all that I could look through.

You are correct, the gauge should not read if the fill station lock-up. And i dont think the tank filler you mention has anything inside, you should check it to make sure.

WARNING: most scuba tank are not rated at 4000PSI!
I cant re-iterate enough:

If you don't know what you are doing don't do it ... you can get hurt, and more importantly, hurt others.

What tank do you have?

For teh scuba tank burst disk on the Sherwood, they are not rated for any specific pressure and dont protect the tank, they are a gimic to make people think they are safe. Is this the valve you have on your tank? Most scuba tank valve with a stump on the other side is for the valve assembly.
I am fairly familiar with scuba tank (I am a certified rescue diver and TIV certified).