OXYGEN LINE TO CABIN GAUGE CAME OFF - ANY IDEAS?

[Marauder]

Envelope will be a padded envelope 6" X 8"?

BTW -- I'm sending two sets, just in case you bugger up the first one. They are not re-usable. This is what the end should look like (installed on a piece of poly tube).

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[Marauder]

Never mind Lance. I did what a man should never do... I read the instructions on the pre-paid label. I will drop it in the PO mailbox for you.

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[Mcstealth]

10 hours ago, Marauder said:

Never mind Lance. I did what a man should never do... I read the instructions on the pre-paid label. I will drop it in the PO mailbox for you.

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What? You read the instructions? 10 demerits on your man card and a 10day probation in the CB club.

[FlyDave]

In IT this is known as RTFM and is only employed as a last resort (~0.05% of the time).

Now you know how IT can be so responsive to your needs and gets issues resolved so quickly!

Or maybe not....

[Yetti]

RTFM applies to 99% of users, on the other hand I have made lots of consulting dollars reading the manual and distilling it down to 10 steps or less

[anthonydesmet]

Lancecasper,

  Lots a great info here as usual.  If you haven't come up with your repair plan yet then as an alternative I HIGHLY recommend calling Miguel at Master Air Parts.  I found him through Dan at LASAR last week.  The same fitting on my O2 at the connection at the bottle for the pressure line cracked last week the day before I was leaving for Florida.  I sent Miguel the picture (similar to what you have here) and he diagnosed, made a new part and sent it overnight allowing my mech and I to install it the next morning. I was wheels in the well by noon for less than $150. Miguel was also originally employed by Scott when they were in business so it is highly likely he has seen this before and knows exactly what you need and has it on hand.  Here is his info:

Miguel Gomez | Sales Agent 

Master Air Parts, Inc.

3070 Skyway Drive, Suite 303

Santa Maria, CA 93455

(805) 928-2929 Phone

(805) 928-2944 Fax

FAA Repair Station #:1MPR946Y

EASA Repair Station #: 145.6351

www.masterairparts.com

 

Cheers,

 

[anthonydesmet]

Marauder,

Great fix, sorry I didn't see page 2 in the forum and your solution.  Great idea.

[LANCECASPER]

On 2/15/2016 at 11:13 AM, Marauder said:

I probably have installed 10,000 Swagelok fittings in my career as a service engineer. The two failures I have seen are like you pointed out, over tightening and the second is trying to move or bend the copper tube after the connection is made.

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How far past hand tightened should I tighten it?

[carusoam]

The amount to tighten is one of those things that should be in the catalog...  Some basic rules of thumb...

The first time, the fitting gets compressed.  This takes more than if you were to take it apart and put it back together...

I'll see if I can find a reference...

TMI: http://allentown.swagelok.com/~/media/Distributor%20Media/A-B/Allentown/Services/Training%20Documents/2014%20training%20descriptions/2014%20Swagelok%20Tube%20Fitting%20Basics%20Course%20Description.ashx?la=en

From wiki...  Hand tighten, then 1/2 turn more with a wrench.  Over tightening is the cause of most failures...  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compression_fitting

Only Use this as a reference for comparison.  I am not a mechanic.

Best regards,

-a-

 

[Marauder]

2 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

How far past hand tightened should I tighten it?

Lance -- make sure the copper tube is firmly seated in the bulk head fitting. Once it is fully inserted, push the front, back ferrules forward by using the nut. Once the nut is on the threads, hand tighten until snug. Gently tighten with a wrench not more than a 1/2 turn. Leak check and if leaking, tighten another 1/4 turn and repeat.

I can't help you with recommendations for leak testing since I used a portable gas detector.

[carusoam]

How much pressure is in the line when everything down stream is closed off?

having it hold pressure over time would be a good indicator of it working.

in lieu of an O2 sensor... Would a soapy water solution and looking for bubbles work while the system is under pressure?

Engineering ideas, trying to be helpful, not a mechanic...

Best regards,

-a-

[kortopates]

First, Swageloc has brief instructional videos on their website on how to tighten their fittings. Review that for their official guidance. They also have it documented in writing.

A solution is available for O2 leak solution, which is what use since I can't afford the gas detector.

The small copper 1/8 HP line is always live with tank pressure - it has to be to allow your cockpit gauge to always read tank pressure. In contrast, the larger aluminum Low Pressure line is only live when the regulator at the tank is turned on from the cockpit.

The main thing they drill into new techs in A&P school is that you can't do anything unless you have the approved documentation for the job and follow it. It's a good rule for hangar ferries to follow too despite even if they don't seem to need it. I don't say that to sound mean but to stress its importance to safety - yours, your pax and the future owners and pax.

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[Mcstealth]

If I had 10 minutes for every time I needed a "special tool" or "mandatory" instructions to get something fixed or done, I would live to be 130.

That being said, It sure is nice having a toolbox full of single use items. Makes life much easier on the once a year times you "want" but don't need that damn tool. You want to slap the engineer who designed it.

[LANCECASPER]

20 hours ago, kortopates said:

 

First, Swageloc has brief instructional videos on their website on how to tighten their fittings. Review that for their official guidance. They also have it documented in writing.

A solution is available for O2 leak solution, which is what use since I can't afford the gas detector.

The small copper 1/8 HP line is always live with tank pressure - it has to be to allow your cockpit gauge to always read tank pressure. In contrast, the larger aluminum Low Pressure line is only live when the regulator at the tank is turned on from the cockpit.

The main thing they drill into new techs in A&P school is that you can't do anything unless you have the approved documentation for the job and follow it. It's a good rule for hangar ferries to follow too despite even if they don't seem to need it. I don't say that to sound mean but to stress its importance to safety - yours, your pax and the future owners and pax.

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I already read the Swageloc documentation - just wanted some practical advice from someone who has installed 10,000 Swageloc fitiings. The documentation I read said 3/4 turn after snug, but Marauder's practical advice makes more sense - go 1/2 turn after snug, check for leaks, then if necessary tighten another 1/4 turn.

Edited February 18, 2016 by LANCECASPER

[Yetti]

22 hours ago, kortopates said:

The main thing they drill into new techs in A&P school is that you can't do anything unless you have the approved documentation for the job and follow it. It's a good rule for hangar ferries to follow too despite even if they don't seem to need it. I don't say that to sound mean but to stress its importance to safety - yours, your pax and the future owners and pax.

Realizing of course that a Certified A&P is probably the one that over tightened this particular fitting which caused to to break.   Good work practices and taking the time to do things right the first time don't come from A&P school.  My grandfather who had probably 30 different type hammers because there is the right hammer for the job and just because you have a hammer does not mean everything is a nail.  If I had a dollar for every wrong thing a certified A&P did wrong to my plane before I owned it....

[LANCECASPER]

29 minutes ago, Yetti said:

Realizing of course that a Certified A&P is probably the one that over tightened this particular fitting which caused to to break.   Good work practices and taking the time to do things right the first time don't come from A&P school.  My grandfather who had probably 30 different type hammers because there is the right hammer for the job and just because you have a hammer does not mean everything is a nail.  If I had a dollar for every wrong thing a certified A&P did wrong to my plane before I owned it....

As much as I would like to blame an A & P, I twisted the line trying to reinstall it in the side panel. 

[Yetti]

Maybe.  It may have been doomed to fail, you may have just hastened it's demise.

[Marauder]

How are you making out Lance?

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[LANCECASPER]

Just checked tracking - looks like it's at my mailbox. Since all of the oxygen was depleted I won't be able to leak check it after I install it until I re-fill O2 and no one on my field has O2. So I might be able to fly over to another field tomorrow to check. I'd like to get it wrapped up so I can finish the interior.

[LANCECASPER]

Every once in awhile things work just the way they are supposed to . . .

I installed the compression fitting, tightened it just over a 1/2 turn after snugging it. I flew over to KHYI to have it filled with O2, fully expecting to at least have to tighten it more. I brought an extra compression fitting just in case. They filled it to 1750 psi and no leaks, I flew it back to my hangar and carefully assembled that panel and it is all back together. Thanks Maruader!!

[Marauder]

Every once in awhile things work just the way they are supposed to . . .

I installed the compression fitting, tightened it just over a 1/2 turn after snugging it. I flew over to KHYI to have it filled with O2, fully expecting to at least have to tighten it more. I brought an extra compression fitting just in case. They filled it to 1750 psi and no leaks, I flew it back to my hangar and carefully assembled that panel and it is all back together. Thanks Maruader!!

Glad I could help.

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