Totally hypathetical (im not going to do this)

[trekkindave]

I was doing a rig check today at work, and realized that the oxygen cylinders we use on the ambulance are made by catalina....

here is my dumb question for you...


Do you think it is possible to remove the neck valve on a medical oxygen tank and replace it with a scuba neck valve and use it as a small pony bottle?

I know the medical tanks are rated to 2000psi..

what do you all think?

[MSilvia]

I'm not sure about the threads matching up, but with an adaptor it should work. Not ideal, but possible.

[in_cavediver]

It will work with the old straight thread post valves (usually j style) and very hard to find. Another problem is that the buoyancy characteristics suck. Very positive. Think how light that E bottle is compared to your average scuba tank.

I do keep one (E) with the med o2 reg for surface o2 use though. Looking for a smaller one for a jump bag I'm putting together as well but that's another story.

[navyhmc]

The threads on a D-cylinder are different than the ones on a tank.

[trekkindave]

Thank you. Saves me some trouble of buying a valve to try it..

[Duckydiver]

you could just use a standard o2 reg with the 50 psi dss port and try to get a 2nd stage reg to work off that. kinda those old positive pressure mask thingys

[in_cavediver]

Originally Posted by navyhmc

The threads on a D-cylinder are different than the ones on a tank.

Way back when (late 60's early 70's), there was a 1/2" straight thread valve option on tanks. Basically the same design as the 3/4" thread we use in scuba today but of a smaller diameter. Most of the old 1/2" tanks were taper thread but not all. If you found the straight thread valve, you could use it with the O2 bottle today.

Still, not worth it for other reasons.

[WD8CDH]

The aluminum D and E medical tanks are .750-16 UNF o-ring seal. I have never seen a SCUBA valve that came with those threads. I have rethreadsd 3/4-14 NPS Scuba valves to fit but it's more expensive than buying a new SCUBA tank.

[h2odragon1]

Why not just get a 13 cubic ft tank and have it o2 cleaned?
Or are you planning a little midnight aquisition?

[trekkindave]

midnight, noon, 1015am.... there are plenty available.. but your right.. just getting a 13 cf pony would probably be better.. especially since it would come with the proper valve anyway.