You need to be very careful testing a tank with air pressure. Aside from ruining your tanks, it is not hard to blow one up with just a few PSI. People that manufacture tanks test them with water, not air, because water does not compress so if the tank starts to crack the pressure is relieved instantly. I have a friend whose father was killed testing a tank at work with air because their water tester was down.
-------- Original Message -------- Subject: KR> Pressure testing my wing tanks From: "Pierre" <pierre at drafts.co.za> List-Post: krnet@list.krnet.org Date: Thu, January 30, 2014 12:41 am To: <krnet at list.krnet.org> So here I am, finished my wing tanks and very proud of the welding work. Somebody mentioned that I should pressure test the tank to ensure it is leak free. I usually take good advice to heart, so I hooked up the compressor, blocked off all the inlet, breather and other openings, prepared the little water spray can and started the compressor. Slowly I start pressing the lever on the gun and start spraying the seams with water to see if I detect any bubbles. Finally I found a corner with a fine mist. I couldn't see exactly where this offending pinhole is and I increased the pressure a bit whilst spraying some more water on the offending seam. After about 3-4 minutes of this adding pressure then spraying water and closely watching for the mist, I heard a "clunk" sound. Ignoring the sound (I am not stupid I know the tank will move a bit with pressure inside) I concentrate on this point on the seam and another two "clunks" further I finally pinpoint the pinhole. Just then my wife enters the garage with a glass of Coke. Me, very proud of myself accepts the Coke and then I told commenced in telling her about my detective prowess and ingenuity and that I just discovered a tiny pinhole that could become a serious leak and I just averted a serious disaster. She took one look behind me and said "no wonder it leaks." I turned around and saw these two inter connected aluminum orbs that could be mistaken for beach balls! There must have been some 100 different facial expressions passing over my face in the next nanosecond and as I looked back at my dear wife it is clear that she is all choked up with sympathy, grabbing her mouth and clearly overwhelmed with emotion and my disappointment she turned and ran into the house. Suffice to say I packed up, washed and plonked in front of the TV. Air Crash investigation was on. My wife and I didn't speak much, as she seems to choke up every time she wants to say something. I am very blessed to have such an understanding wife. I was in no mood to say anything.... 20 odd hours of labor gone.... I also harbor serious thoughts about the guy's advice.... Cheers, Pierre _______________________________________________ Search the KRnet Archives at http://tugantek.com/archmailv2-kr/search. To UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to KRnet-leave at list.krnet.org please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html see http://list.krnet.org/mailman/listinfo/krnet_list.krnet.org to change options
