231LV Posted January 18, 2018 Report Posted January 18, 2018 OK....so my 231 had built-in O2 installed (by Top Gun in CA) per factory drawings before I bought the plane. The bottle is a limited life one which just expired. My mechanic ordered a replacement from Aerox (which, I'm told, is the ONLY bottle allowed). Aerox is not shipping any bottles (though they happily took my $1500 back in October) claiming that they are awaiting FAA authorization to ship from their new facility. As previously mentioned, this has been going on since last Oct. My mechanic tells me there is nothing he can do...they have the only bottle which can be installed per the drawings. This seems remarkable to me (though I have been an owner long enough to know this can actually happen). Is anybody else having this same problem?? BTW, I told my mechanic to cancel the order since I have no bottle, have no date by which I can expect a bottle and am out $1500... Quote
FBCK Posted January 18, 2018 Report Posted January 18, 2018 I had this issue back five years ago, for my 231. I waited 6 months being told the same story you are being told. Gave my macnaic at the time a hard time (not really) but told him I could have one in two day, he said sure you go do that. I called these people: http://www.aviationoxygen.com/?gclid=CJzz7sfdlq0CFQ5lhwodV2YG4w and within two day, shipped to Canada, I had a tank (77cubic ft), steal tank, 25 year life, same as the one that cam out. I dont know if they still have them, but worth a call. Quote
231LV Posted January 18, 2018 Author Report Posted January 18, 2018 My mechanic claims he has found a replacement which will comply with the regs....if it falls through, I will send him the link....thanks! Quote
231LV Posted January 18, 2018 Author Report Posted January 18, 2018 2 hours ago, FBCK said: I had this issue back five years ago, for my 231. I waited 6 months being told the same story you are being told. Gave my macnaic at the time a hard time (not really) but told him I could have one in two day, he said sure you go do that. I called these people: http://www.aviationoxygen.com/?gclid=CJzz7sfdlq0CFQ5lhwodV2YG4w and within two day, shipped to Canada, I had a tank (77cubic ft), steal tank, 25 year life, same as the one that cam out. I dont know if they still have them, but worth a call. Just noticed the link is for Aerox....they are the problem! Quote
carusoam Posted January 19, 2018 Report Posted January 19, 2018 What is the material of the tank in the K? Steel, aluminum or composite? 1.5 amu for a tank sounds like composite... Jimmy at AAA was ordering a few awhile ago. He was inquiring if anyone else needed one to get best price.... Best regards, -a- Quote
231LV Posted January 19, 2018 Author Report Posted January 19, 2018 Yea....composite....his bottles were not the size I required which is 77 cu ft Quote
231LV Posted January 19, 2018 Author Report Posted January 19, 2018 OK so after 4 months of calls and inquiries requesting shipment info on a bottle paid for last Oct and being told by Aerox they could not ship because first; they were waiting for the FAA to "approve" their new production facility, then, second; waiting for the FAA to relocate their approval office, my mechanic found a PMA'd bottle that he will install and sign off on. He called to cancel the order with Aerox and MAGICALLY, they claim the bottle was shipped 2 days ago! This after being told last week that they were waiting on the FAA relocation....hmmm.....I told my mechanic to refuse the shipment and get a full refund (which he will do). Neither of us believe a bottle will ever actually show up from Aerox...we strongly suspect they are simply trying to keep the order "alive"....anyway, my take on Aerox is AVOID THEM! Quote
DonMuncy Posted January 19, 2018 Report Posted January 19, 2018 13 hours ago, carusoam said: What is the material of the tank in the K? Steel, aluminum or composite? Mine is steel, but I don't think they all were. 1 Quote
kortopates Posted January 20, 2018 Report Posted January 20, 2018 6 hours ago, DonMuncy said: Mine is steel, but I don't think they all were. I would expect steel is rare. Mooney list 3 cylinder models in the IPC, a 76, 77 and 115 Kevlar cyl, I can't really tell what the smaller cyl materials are without doing more research. But if for example the 76 is a steel tank, the Aerox version weighs in at 25 lbs. In contrast my 115 cuft Kevlar is 18 lbs. Much lighter at near double the capacity for a few hundred $ more. Quote
DonMuncy Posted January 20, 2018 Report Posted January 20, 2018 52 minutes ago, kortopates said: I would expect steel is rare. Mooney list 3 cylinder models in the IPC, a 76, 77 and 115 Kevlar cyl, I can't really tell what the smaller cyl materials are without doing more research. But if for example the 76 is a steel tank, the Aerox version weighs in at 25 lbs. In contrast my 115 cuft Kevlar is 18 lbs. Much lighter at near double the capacity for a few hundred $ more. The extra volume is good. I think the Kevlar has a shorter life, but I am not certain. I'm sure you are right about the weight. Do you think they put less Charlie weights in my tail because of the steel? Quote
Ron McBride Posted January 20, 2018 Report Posted January 20, 2018 Is it possible to get the old tank recertified? Quote
DonMuncy Posted January 20, 2018 Report Posted January 20, 2018 16 minutes ago, N803RM said: Is it possible to get the old tank recertified? No. It's a shame, but it is trash. Would you like to buy a slightly used one, cheap? Quote
kortopates Posted January 20, 2018 Report Posted January 20, 2018 58 minutes ago, DonMuncy said: The extra volume is good. I think the Kevlar has a shorter life, but I am not certain. I'm sure you are right about the weight. Do you think they put less Charlie weights in my tail because of the steel? Yes composite tanks have an age limit of 15 years. Others can be 24 years or even unlimited depending on markings. Here is handy chart: Hydrostatic Test Requirements CYLINDER DOT TYPE TEST INTERVAL LIFE LIMIT DOT 3AA 1800 5 years Unlimited DOT 3HT 1850 3 years 24 years DOT SP8162 1850 5 years 15 years DOT SP11194 1850 5 years 15 years DOT 3AL 2016 / 5 years Unlimited 3AL 2216 There are even lighter carbon fiber wrapped cylinders out now, but so far I haven't seen anything bigger than 48 cuft but its only 6 lbs! Can't say on your Charlie weights but very possible. all the later model K's had much more weight in the tail to begin with given their electric Standby vacuum system and at least a 77 cuft tank. Quote
carusoam Posted January 20, 2018 Report Posted January 20, 2018 The Long Bodies have the flexibility of Swapping Charlie weights for useful items... The Kevlar tank is nice. But expensive and time limited... It doesn't make much sense to spend a lot on a nice tank, just to have a few CWs in the back to keep it company.... Either way, know how much the old one weighs before putting in a new one. A new line in the WnB Page may be real important if there is a change... A quick review of your POH in the WnB section will reveal if you have the CWs. Ks May have gotten away without the CWs...Battery way back in the tail does a good job of balancing.... PP thoughts only, not a mechanic... Best regards, -a- 1 Quote
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