Oxygen Bottle Regulator Overhaul

[schicka]

My '91 Bravo is currently in annual inspection, I have come to find that the Oxygen Bottle regulator and altitude compensating vale are due for an overhaul and re cert. We have been shopping around and the cost for an overhaul is $2,550.00 - OUCH!!

It would be apreciated if anybody had any feedback or solutions on this with regards previuos experience?

Marlon

[thinwing]

how was o2 delivery at altitude???do you use oxymiser canulas and if so is flow rate constant once set??Since your original o2 bottle /regulator is over 19 yrs old i will assume your bottle has been replaced once before as the kevlar bottles had a 15 yr life limit...if so did they o/h reg than and recert???......It might be cheaper to carry a small pony bottle (about 500)and just maintain you present reg on condition...per part 91...kp couch

[rorythedog]

i know this won't make you feel any better, but i just bought a portable system with 25cu bottle, 4place regulator, and oxymizer cannulas for about $700.  it will provide enough o2 for 3 people at 15k for over 11 hrs.

[schicka]

Yes I use the Cannulas and flow is consistent at alt. Kevlar bottle was replaced by prev owner in '07. I thought about going the portable route to improvise but I'm just going to bite the bullet on the overhaul and git er done!....I just cant beleive the price though...It's nuts!!

[Awful_Charlie]

Shop around!  I had a similar problem in Europe at the beginning of the year, Atelier Bigata wanted over 1300 EUR and trawling around found a variety of (excessive) prices and turnaround times.  I ended up with Zodiac Aerospace in the UK, who turned it around in a week (one of the shortest times quoted) for GBP350 and were helpful all the way through

Ben

 

[Sven]

Last year I cruised Craig's List and bought 3 pristine medical bottles for $10 each. Then I found 2 giant owner bottles for $70 each. I rigged a filler system (instructions found on the good-old interwebs) for the small bottles. I filled each large tank for $25. We picked up some nice cannulas online and a new regulator on eBay for $20. I will get 7 fills of the small bottles out of each large tank. Equipment investment aside, That's $3.57 per fill. It's all portable and legal. It's all tested and certified. I even found a reasonable fingertip oxymeter to check how we're all doing and have a nurse friend of ours check it for accuracy against her super-expensive equipment.