CO2 bottle fill cost and LAB number

[Mark R]

Hi all,

I have just been to refill my CO2 bottle for the first time and ran into some issues.

I bought the bottle (3.5kg) approx 6 months ago from Hastings - tested & filled, stamped with a 'new' LAB number and stamped with the test station (which is legit and I've checked on EPA.govt.nz) and date (11/12).

When I went to get it filled here in Hamilton, they said the LAB number was on their list of wrong numbers and that it couldn't be filled. The guy showed me an email he had that mentioned three old numbers on it that they cannot accept. He thinks that when it was tested they put the old number on (15?? can't remember it fully) by mistake instead of the correct one (2171). Fortunately he was sympathetic and made some calls to sort it out. However, he has quoted me $50 for a cylinder fill which sounds a little high compared to what others have mentioned.

I'm interested in other people's experiences with filling CO2 bottles - for those that have filled bottles recently, can you please list size of bottle/fill, how much it cost to fill, where it was filled and the LAB number you have stamped on your bottle.

[Tilt]

3.5kg filled for $20 at nova in grey Lynn. I'd say you're being overcharged there.  Sorry, not sure about the lab no.

[Jamie]

6.8kg

$50 about 4 months ago in Whangarei

Whoever re-tested it should have only stamped their unique identifier and the new dates on the cylinder. The lab number doesn't change.

[mattd2]

From the EPA Gas Cylinder register (lab number register) it looks like most of the Lab15XX we designed to a standard that was later repealed. But the notes say as long as it continues to be hydro'd and does not exceed its design life they can continue to be used (but they are not allowed to have been imported after September 2010)

Interesting that the lab number he has given you, 2171, is for Alloy cylinders manufactured by Hulett Cylinders in South Africa (which I highly doubt that he knew exactly who/where they cylinder was actually made - unless it was stamped/painted on it of coarse). I think the guy at the filling station has it wrong - as long as the cylinder is inside its hydrotest they should be allowed to fill it.

http://www.epa.govt.nz/Publications/Gas_Cylinders_Register.xls

The standard BS 5045-1 has been withdrawn as an approved design standard.  Cylinders made to this design (LAB number) and imported prior to September 2010 may continue in use provided they continue to meet the periodic test requirements and do not exceed their design life. No imports to this LAB number are permitted from 1 September 2010.

[Scott Wagener]

I have just got into kegging it cost me $35 to fill a 3kg bottle up in Kaitaia from the local fire extinguisher guy with food grade co2.