O2 systems

728GD · Post by **728GD** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:02 pm

I'm thinking about installing a portable O2 system in my 6. Any suggestions on size and manufacture? I think I can mount the cylinder on the rear bulkhead in the baggage area.

Looking for some ideas.

Dale

4kilo · Post by **4kilo** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 9:13 pm

For size, weight and oxygen consumption, you cannot beat the systems from Mountain High:

http://www.mhoxygen.com/

I have an Electronic Diluter Demand system, EDS model A-1, and I have been very happy with the performance. It uses less than one quarter of the volume of oxygen required by more conventional systems, meaning you can use a smaller bottle and still refill it less frequently.

You can get a much cheaper system, but it will cost you in the long run.

Pat

728GD · Post by **728GD** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 11:51 am

What is the delta in cost for the "old" standard delivery system over the electronic delivery system? Also, can you give me an idea on the refill costs for the O2.

I am just wondering how many refills I would need to purchase to pay out the additional cost of the electronic delivery system.

Thanks,
Dale

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 12:15 am

728GD wrote:I'm thinking about installing a portable O2 system in my 6. Any suggestions on size and manufacture? I think I can mount the cylinder on the rear bulkhead in the baggage area.

Looking for some ideas.

Dale

I bought a Mountain High O2 system on ebay. It is a single cylinder about 16 in long. Came with a bag and straps to mount it to a Cessna type seat. It cost me $25 to fill it at the local FBO. There is some debate about using welder's oxygen but that can get you involved in a flame war really quick.

728GD · Post by **728GD** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:33 am

Good idea. Never thought about looking on E-Bay. Is there a requirement to hydro test the cylinder every 5 or 10 years?

Thanks for the refill cost, that helps.

Dale

4kilo · Post by **4kilo** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 9:23 pm

There are several types of oxygen you can fill a cylinder with. Being an experimental aircraft, people will fiddle with just about anything, but I like to know what I am breathing (the following standards are from memory, someone with a reference handy may find some details to correct):

Aviator's Breathing Oxygen: Pure oxygen, with very little moisture content.

Medical Oxygen: Pure oxygen, with more moisture content. At altitude, or in cold weather, the water vapor can condense and freeze, leaving you with a full bottle and no oxygen available. An oxygen and water vapor mix is also extremely corrosive.

Welder's Oxygen: Probably pure oxygen, probably with little moisture content. Many (perhaps even most) suppliers provide very pure oxygen, which will work just fine. Since you have no way of knowing if this is the case however, you must just take their word about what they are putting in the bottle, and you are betting your life on the purity.

Most large cities have industrial gas suppliers who can fill a bottle with aviator's breathing oxygen for about half the price of an FBO or even less. By the time you find them and drive to their location, the FBO might be a better bet.

The bottle does need to be periodically hydro tested, and I think the interval is 10 years.

Pat

728GD · Post by **728GD** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 12:48 am

Pat,

I agree with you, I would rather be sure on the quality than save a few bucks when it comes to refilling the O2 supply. If I remember from my petroleum pipeline days, the hydro schedule will depend on the material used for the cylinder, 5 to 10 years stickes in my head.

I was mostly interested in the cost refills and the additional cost of the new electronic metering devices. Thanks for the web URL to mountain, interesting. I don't think I will go for the additional $900 bucks for the EDS, that will pay for a bunch of refills.

Now I just have to settle on a manufacture.

Dale

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