Mooney + Inogen generator think it'll work ?

[McMooney]

I"m wondering how an Inogen oxygen concentrator would work in my mooney?  Anyone have one?  Does it work at altitude ?

[carusoam]

In the past there was a discussion...

Search for oxygen concentrator...

02 at altitude is troubling enough without adding to the challenge... So there won’t be a strong following until it gets approval for use.

Got a 12V version for high altitude use?

Best regards,

-a-

[Hector]

Have not looked at this particular model but read the specs. They are all rated to a specific height. I often wondered myself how well these would work. The ones that are advertised good for 17-18k feet are a bit larger than the smaller ultraportable units. Would love to hear from folks that have tried this.


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[carusoam]

Searching specificly on inogen.... there was one person using one in the following thread...

it might takes some reading to find it...

-a-

 

 

[steingar]

Didn't work out so great of the military.  I'm a big fan of KISS, and I don't mean the stuff I do with Mrs. Steingar.

Edited January 24, 2019 by steingar

[N201MKTurbo]

They use a lot of power. Their performance drops off with altitude, they barely work at the altitudes you need them most. They don't make enough oxygen for more than one person.

Other than that, they work great!

[aviatoreb]

Just now, N201MKTurbo said:

They use a lot of power. Their performance drops off with altitude, they barely work at the altitudes you need them most. They don't make enough oxygen for more than one person.

Other than that, they work great!

Exactly.  By the time you bring a large altitude worthy device, and consider the power requirements, it may be easier and lighter to just bring a tank of oxygen.  Or two.

Actually, on this note - what I really wish I had....

Something like the inogen to use in my hangar.  I want someone to develop for me.... a tiny inogen like device that might supply o2 and a crazy slow rate, with sensors and cut off - designed to refill a traditional 02 cylinder slowly and automatically, say over 24 hours, and then automatically shut off once the desired fill is reached.  That would greatly increase the convenience of o2 cylinders.

 

[N201MKTurbo]

11 minutes ago, aviatoreb said:

Exactly.  By the time you bring a large altitude worthy device, and consider the power requirements, it may be easier and lighter to just bring a tank of oxygen.  Or two.

Actually, on this note - what I really wish I had....

Something like the inogen to use in my hangar.  I want someone to develop for me.... a tiny inogen like device that might supply o2 and a crazy slow rate, with sensors and cut off - designed to refill a traditional 02 cylinder slowly and automatically, say over 24 hours, and then automatically shut off once the desired fill is reached.  That would greatly increase the convenience of o2 cylinders.

 

https://www.tigermedical.com/Products/HomeFill-Compressor__INVIOH200.aspx?invsrc=adwords_tm&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkpncq96G4AIVgxh9Ch30WA_TEAQYBCABEgKoG_D_BwE

 

BTW, the people who use these, sadly, die off and their survivors sell them off on EBay cheap sometimes.

 

Edited January 24, 2019 by N201MKTurbo

[aviatoreb]

28 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said:

https://www.tigermedical.com/Products/HomeFill-Compressor__INVIOH200.aspx?invsrc=adwords_tm&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkpncq96G4AIVgxh9Ch30WA_TEAQYBCABEgKoG_D_BwE

 

hey - that's neat - I want that!

[N201MKTurbo]

15 minutes ago, aviatoreb said:

hey - that's neat - I want that!

I would think with a few fittings and hoses you could adapt one of these to do exactly what you want. A quick search on the web shows refurbished compressors for $600.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/INVACARE-HOMEFILL-48-OXYGEN-WHIP-HOSE-TO-FILL-BULK-CGA540-OXYGEN-TANKS-3000-PSI/201923886573?hash=item2f0399fded:g:2Z0AAOSwyXNaFbQS:rk:9:pf:0

 

There are compatible concentrators on EBay for $200.

 

Edited January 24, 2019 by N201MKTurbo

[kortopates]

Are these home concentrators going to provide a moisture free O2? Sounds great if so.


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[aviatoreb]

1 hour ago, N201MKTurbo said:

I would think with a few fittings and hoses you could adapt one of these to do exactly what you want. A quick search on the web shows refurbished compressors for $600.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/INVACARE-HOMEFILL-48-OXYGEN-WHIP-HOSE-TO-FILL-BULK-CGA540-OXYGEN-TANKS-3000-PSI/201923886573?hash=item2f0399fded:g:2Z0AAOSwyXNaFbQS:rk:9:pf:0

 

There are compatible concentrators on EBay for $200.

 

Huh!  Do you think it could handle the larger bottles we use in aviation?

[N201MKTurbo]

8 minutes ago, kortopates said:

Are these home concentrators going to provide a moisture free O2? Sounds great if so.


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Why are you concerned with moisture?

With a built in bottle the regulator is in the tail cone and can freeze if there is moisture in the O2. These systems would most likely be used with portable bottles. The portable bottles usually live in the cockpit where it is rarely freezing. I realize there is a temperature drop at the regulator orifice that could lower the temperature, but if the bulk of the regulator is warmer than freezing, any ice would rapidly melt.

[aviatoreb]

12 minutes ago, kortopates said:

Are these home concentrators going to provide a moisture free O2? Sounds great if so.


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Oh right - no it won't.   But honestly I don't know if moisture free is a problem for our GA use.  As I understand it the reason for moisture free is so that the lines don't freeze in certain aviation environments that we do not encounter.  Consider a large O2 tank in the belly of a jet flying at 45,000 ft where it is -50C...then even a little moisture is a problem as the lines could freeze and you won't get O2 flow when you need it most during an emergency. 

But in our small time small airplane use, where the O2 bottles sit in the cabin with us...I am hoping I am not flying when it is that cold.  

So I wonder if the one-size fits all aviation standard of moisture free is important for us.

[aviatoreb]

2 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said:

Why are you concerned with moisture?

With a built in bottle the regulator is in the tail cone and can freeze if there is moisture in the O2. These systems would most likely be used with portable bottles. The portable bottles usually live in the cockpit where it is rarely freezing. I realize there is a temperature drop at the regulator orifice that could lower the temperature, but if the bulk of the regulator is warmer than freezing, any ice would rapidly melt.

hah!  You beat me to it.

[N201MKTurbo]

1 minute ago, aviatoreb said:

Huh!  Do you think it could handle the larger bottles we use in aviation?

I don't see why not, but I've never used one. They would just run a lot longer. 

Realize that these things are not going to make ABO. You are on your own as far as using it. The regulations are a little vague about this. I think you would be OK if you documented what you were doing and proved you were getting enough oxygen.

[aviatoreb]

13 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said:

I don't see why not, but I've never used one. They would just run a lot longer. 

Realize that these things are not going to make ABO. You are on your own as far as using it. The regulations are a little vague about this. I think you would be OK if you documented what you were doing and proved you were getting enough oxygen.

I'm tempted - just because I like a kooky contraption.

[kortopates]

I asked about moisture because I was wondering about the feasibility of using one to fill my built-in 115 cuft bottle. Moisture would be a problem. In looking for spec’s all I could find is “over 90% 0xygen" and that looks like a problem - not so much in practical use but it's not ABO eithet. Oh well... But at how little I pay for refills, I'd have to get a super deal on one just to play with it.


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[McMooney]

Well go figure, someone bothered to try one out 8).  http://www.inogenaviator.com/

 

[carusoam]

Apparently,

• they are up to version three already...
• they discuss uses between 5k’ and 10k’...  can’t go wrong there since 02 levels start above 12.5k’
• Their two reviews are written in 2010 and 2011, a bit ancient...
• They discuss who they are, they have built planes... picture shows an M20J.... could be dynamic picture selecting...?

it has some limitations....

You get to determine what they are.   

See the chart for flow rates and concentration.... 

It is also a single person supply at higher altitudes...

if using a flow meter on your O2 line, you probably want to leave the valve all the way open to not create back pressure...

From their site....

It supplies a high concentration of oxygen and is used with a nasal cannula to channel oxygen from the concentrator to the pilot, or individual passengers, and is considered a single-user oxygen supply system tested up to 18,000 ft.

 

Sounds interesting but would need some personal calibration before using...

Have a solid and ready Plan B when going above 12.5k’, and your oximeter running...

PP thoughts only...

Best regards,

-a-

[DonMuncy]

It would seem to me that it would be easy for them to say (if it were true); "Maintained an oximeter level of xx% oxygen in a test subject at 18000 feet."

[carusoam]

Speaking of CB value....

 

portable unit for walkers... 2.3 amu...

https://www.directhomemedical.com/inogen-one-g3-portable-oxygen-concentrator-IS300.html

 

Portable unit for pilots.... 2.8 amu... 12v      3.0amu... 24v

http://www.inogenaviator.com/shop.html

 

Used eBay.... 1.5 amu

 

Sounds like an expensive experiment...

How inconvenient is having O2 tanks?

PP searching the internet for answers, no first hand experience at all...

Best regards,

-a-

 

[Yetti]

You can get a steel bottle off ebay for like $40 with regulator.  Came with a carry bag.  the transfill adapter was $40 from the vet supplier.   Since I already had 2 medium size bottle from the oxy acetylene welding rig that were out of date...  it was was $45 for a refill for two bottles.   You can get masks and such off Amazon for a few dollars.   Since joining the Volunteer Fire Dept we have a 8 big ole bottle cascade trailer for the SCBA bottles.  

[McMooney]

12 hours ago, carusoam said:

Speaking of CB value....

 

portable unit for walkers... 2.3 amu...

https://www.directhomemedical.com/inogen-one-g3-portable-oxygen-concentrator-IS300.html

 

Portable unit for pilots.... 2.8 amu... 12v      3.0amu... 24v

http://www.inogenaviator.com/shop.html

 

Used eBay.... 1.5 amu

 

Sounds like an expensive experiment...

How inconvenient is having O2 tanks?

PP searching the internet for answers, no first hand experience at all...

Best regards,

-a-

 

I"m always running out, then going out of my way to get it refilled.  much nicer to have it permanent and available.

[LANCECASPER]

On 1/23/2019 at 10:26 PM, McMooney said:

I"m wondering how an Inogen oxygen concentrator would work in my mooney?  Anyone have one?  Does it work at altitude ?

I own an Inogen 3 and it works fine for one person up to 15000