any recommendations on a portable oxygen system

[tbrickey]

I'm interested in purchasing a portable oxygen system and have seen different manufacturers making differnt claims on ease of refill, duration, regulator complexity, etc...  Does anyone have experience with the differnt brands that would like to make a recommendation?  I am looking at a 2 place system for flights around 10-15,000 of 3-4 hour duration.

[KSMooniac]

I've got a Precise Flight system including one of their mechanical oxygen conserver "stations" for me to use, and regular oxy-saver cannulae for pax use and it has been a flawless kit for me.  Mountain High has a nifty electronic oxygen conserver that seems to do a great job too, but it is expensive and requires batteries.  My 22 cubic foot PF system will run for 20+ hours with just me and the mechanical conserver rig.

[randypugh]

I have a couple used systems in the hangar that I'll sell cheap PM me if interested

[Jerry 5TJ]

There was a long thread last year about O2 bottle types and size on MooneySpace. 

I say "get a big bottle" as the usual FBO charges a flat rate to refill, small or large. 

I also suggest you get a portable pulse oximeter and adjust your O2 flow using the oximeter reading rather than with a "bouncing ball" flow meter.  You want (so claimed an aeromedical MD, not me) at least 92% oxygen saturation for the PIC.  

 

 

[Piloto]

Best place to have a portable oxygen filled is at Scuba Dive shop that have Nitrox capability. Besides regular air many shops have separate oxygen and nitrogen tanks for those who prefer the Nitrox mixture. They will accept your pilot certificate instead of a diver certificate as a valid user. Typical fill up is $18 dollars. When buying a used tank verify the hydrostatic test date stamped on top of the tank. The test is valid for 5 years. Many dive shops are also able to do this test.

José 

[Sven]

Make your own set up and save a bundle:

http://www.warmkessel.com/jr/flying/td/jd/13.jsp

http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=28412

http://www.pilotsofamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3399

[eldeano]

I have a 15 cu ft sky-ox system from sporty's.  It fits nicely on the back of the seat, and is easy to adjust. It also comes with cannulas as well as one mask.  The whole kit including cover that straps on the back of the seat and a nylon bag to hold the accessories was $530.00.  Super easy to use with an easy dial regulator.

It is the only portable system I have used so I can't really compare it to anything else.

[jamesreckh]

The Portable Oxygen System is one of the most popular system that is having more demand now a days. It. My Grand Mother uses this portable oxygen concentrator since last three months for the need of oxygen . It was recommended by the doctor to her and it can be uses through 24/7/365 days with out fail. The separate activation is made for sleeping mode with out disturbing the patient at any instance. It is very less in weight and can be travelled easily. It is approved by the FAA for air line travel.

 

 

 

[danb35]

Spam spam spam spam...

[smccray]

The guys over at Beechtalk say very good things about mountain high and the mechanical EDS.  I purhcased a used 02d2 and built a system around it.  It's very nice- set it and forget it- the box adjustes the amount of oxygen metered based on pressure altitude.  It even turns itself on and off depending on the setting.  I frequently use 02 when I'm crusing over 5k feet.

Cramer Decker Medical is a good source for new 02 cylinders.  Price was ~50% of the mountain high price with exactly the same valve- select the CGA540 valve with the gauge.

[BobAustin]

Scott,

How did you mount the MH O2D2 ?  Ceiling or floor...any pics?

Bob

85 M20J Missile

[PTK]

I hear many folks who have O2 start using it around 5k or so. I totally agree it's a great idea. This however to most has to mean O2 on almost all flights except flying around locally or in the pattern. I know for me it would mean O2 on at least 90% of my flights and I'd gladly use it. Point being a portable system in effect becomes permanent.

Is it possible to secure a tank in the tail cone utilizing the appropriate clamps and hardware and run the tubing to the seats or stations? In other words what's the difference if the tank sits in the baggage compartment, as some portable users do, or in the tail cone? The pilot still has control of the O2. Please forgive the stupid question?

[Cris]

Quote

Is it possible to secure a tank in the tail cone utilizing the appropriate clamps and hardware and run the tubing to the seats or stations? In other words what's the difference if the tank sits in the baggage compartment, as some portable users do, or in the tail cone? The pilot still has control of the O2. Please forgive the stupid question?

[aviatoreb]

Quote: BobAustin

Scott,

How did you mount the MH O2D2 ?  Ceiling or floor...any pics?

Bob

85 M20J Missile

[smccray]

Quote: aviatoreb

I mount my O2D2 on the ceiling.  I have velcro straps that I wrap around it for quick and easy removal to access batteries, for temporary mounting, etc.  It is a nice place for mounting since the O2 lines from the bottle behind co-pilot seat go up to the unit, then lines go down to each pilot/copilot without much opportunity to tangle.

See a picture of this configuration on a different post where I was showing my reader mounting: http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?mainaction=posts&forumid=1&threadid=4965#post64477

[BobAustin]

Bag?

Bob

85 M20J Missile

 

 

[smccray]

Quote: BobAustin

Bag?

Bob

85 M20J Missile

 

 

[drewjensen]

 

I mount my O2D2 on the ceiling.  I have velcro straps that I wrap around it for quick and easy removal to access batteries, for temporary mounting, etc.  It is a nice place for mounting since the O2 lines from the bottle behind co-pilot seat go up to the unit, then lines go down to each pilot/copilot without much opportunity to tangle.

See a picture of this configuration on a different post where I was showing my reader mounting: http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?mainaction=posts&forumid=1&threadid=4965#post64477

BTW, interesting inadvertent experiment a few weeks ago.  I flew at FL19 with a friend who does not like masks.  He opted for cannulas which is fine and allowed since he was not PIC as I was.  I wore a mask.  Well he kept getting sleepy and feeling slow and sometimes slurring words - his O2 sat was floating from 75-80 while mine was initially 95 and then I kept increasing the delivery rate until his was 80-85 and mine ended up at 99 at that delivery rate.  I guess the FAA is right that you really do need a mask above 18.  I will use a mask from FL17 up for now on.

 

The link to the pics isn't working anymore.  I would love to see a pic of how people are mounting portable oxygen tanks and running the lines.