Recommended portable oxygen systems

[sleeper-319]

Hi all, I’m a relatively new J owner in coastal California. Looking to get a portable O2 system. I mostly fly at 6 -10k altitudes, but I’m sure there will come a time where it’s necessary or useful to have supplemental oxygen. So I want to purchase one now, before the need really is pressing. I’m thinking a 4 place system because about a third of my flights are me+2 pax. Beyond that, I don’t know a lot, and have read a bunch, but it’s not clear what would steer me to one choice over the other. 

I think I want simplicity for now. I’ve read the info on the web for the Constant Flow systems from Mountain High, SkyOx, and Aerox, and the differences seem pretty small (eg single flow for all with Skyox vs flow control for each station with others). I haven’t measured yet, by I’m thinking an AL-647 cylinder would give plenty of duration for 3 people, but this is about as far as I’ve gotten. Is my thinking about tank size realistic? What questions should I be asking that I don’t know? Thanks. 

[hubcap]

My M20K has a "built-in" O2 system but I would HIGHLY recommend the Moutain High O2D2 system. It extends the available O2 exponentially.

[EricJ]

I'd suggest using a simple one-person system, even a medical system, a few times to get used to one and get an idea of what you might like or not like.   Take some trips over the mountains or through the passes and get a feel for how much or how long you might want to use the O2.   That'll give you a better idea of what sort of system would work best for you.

I got a two-person Aerox system that I used only for a while before backing off to a simpler, easier one-person system built with medical equipment.   I don't need it much, but it's nice to have to take on a trip where I expect it might be needed, e.g., in CO or WY around the mountains.  

[tankertoad]

I use D-sized medical bottles with oxygen conserver regulators and standard cannulas. It's an affordable way to get O2 in the plane, 1 system per person. The challenge with any oxygen these days, is finding FBOs that have O2 (if you go with an "aviation" system), or a medical supply house that will fill (if you go with a medical system) w/o a script. I've had some luck with welding shops (it's the same oxygen, they just don't pull a vacuum on the bottle before filling). I ended up buying a trans-fill adapter and renting an oxygen tank from the welding shop and filling my own bottles.  You'll get what ever pressure is in the fill tank (usually 1500-1800 psi), but with larger bottles and conserver regulators, they will last the duration of most trips (I do carry a couple MH AL-180 aviation tanks on some trips in case I get stuck needing a little extra from the FBO). There are charts online that will help you estimate your usage, but I suggest you do some shorter flights to see how much you will actually use. Also, keep one of those portable pulse/Ox monitors in the plane - it will help take any guesswork out of knowing your saturation levels at altitude.

[philip_g]

There was just a thread in concentrators for aviation use. For that low of an altitude I'd consider one.

[sleeper-319]

3 hours ago, hubcap said:

My M20K has a "built-in" O2 system but I would HIGHLY recommend the Moutain High O2D2 system. It extends the available O2 exponentially.

Mountain High’s duration charts shows it as an improvement over the oximizer cannulas, but not double (let alone exponential). Am I misreading that? Price is about double. Is it worth the extra cost? Is it any bulkier? 

  

2 hours ago, philip_g said:

There was just a thread in concentrators for aviation use. For that low of an altitude I'd consider one.

I’ll have a look. You use one? 

[Lance Link]

Mountain High has the pulse gizmo that you may want now or later and also has booms.  I rigged up booms with anorher brands regulator but it was a hassle. Buy Mountain High stuff even if you might only want the pulse thing or booms later.  And get as big a tank as you are willing to wrangle.  The things that fit on the backs of the seat are worthless, I built a box that holds the tank flat between  the rear seats that enables me to reach the regulator and read the dial.  Works for me because I don’t put plaintiffs in the back seats they have to ride up front.

[carusoam]

Read up on the O2D2 to understand how the extended life of the O2 fill actually works…

How well it works for you, and your passengers will come with experience…

Also look up what it takes to build an O2 filling system in your hangar…

Be aware of the safety issues associated with O2…

Having spares… O2 system, measuring devices, and parts…

Get started… it takes some time to get used to the value of having O2…

 

Fortunately, at 10k’, the system isn’t going to kill you…

Read up on the affects of Low blood oxygen levels… they get discussed a lot around here…. Learn your personal signs so you know how to recognize what may be going on…

 

PP thoughts only… I ran out of O2 once…. 
 

Best regards,

-a-

[ohdub]

I've only used a 2 person Aerox with oxi-saver cannulas in my J, so I can't compare it to anything else, but it works and I don't find it difficult to use.

[philip_g]

39 minutes ago, sleeper-319 said:

Mountain High’s duration charts shows it as an improvement over the oximizer cannulas, but not double (let alone exponential). Am I misreading that? Price is about double. Is it worth the extra cost? Is it any bulkier? 

  

I’ll have a look. You use one? 

I do not.

 

I have years of experience with the o2d2 into the flight levels and I'd concur it's pretty near double. We could fly all summer on a tank of gas.

 

We had a fill rig in the hangar anyway.

 

At 10k feet a concentrator should work fine. I'll look for the thread

 

 

Edited September 27, 2021 by philip_g

[N201MKTurbo]

I have a Precise Flight 4 person system. It has given me zero trouble for the 18 years I’ve owned it. 
 

I made a spare bottle by buying an E size bottle on EBay for almost nothing and having the local cylinder shop change the valve to the same one that Precise Flight uses. I think they charged me $10 for it (a bargain) 

[amillet]

I started with SkyOx, then bought Mountain High. I like the MH system better.  Cannula are more comfortable and connectors more robust and easier to use.

[sleeper-319]

Great info. Thanks everyone. 

[skydvrboy]

I went the total CB route.  Bottle, medical regulator, and fill hose from Ebay.  Got some cheap oxymizer cannulas.  Used a flow meter for oxygenating beer and pneumatic push connect fittings (see links). Total cost for the complete four place system was around $250.  If you go this route, I have extra plugs I'd be willing to send you.

https://www.morebeer.com/products/oxygen-flow-meter-duotight-fittings.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw18WKBhCUARIsAFiW7JxZIbeoCnycJn23rsa0-luWcywUOMhSsc3h9OYQ5g7fvxqlGr_YCwAaApF3EALw_wcB

https://www.amazon.com/Pneumatic-Fittings-pneumatic-fittings-professional/dp/B01MT1YBAW/ref=sr_1_7_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=push+to+connect+air+fittings+1%2F4+manifold&qid=1632749221&sr=8-7-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyTDAxUDQ0VjgySFZCJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjQyNDU5MjFLQTE2SlFTNlFPUCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzQ5MDI5MVZUQUZNRUdFRUEzNSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX210ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

https://www.amazon.com/Tailonz-Pneumatic-Push-Connect-Fitting/dp/B07STVD3RR/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=push+to+connect+air+fittings+1%2F4+plug&qid=1632750017&sr=8-4

[1980Mooney]

11 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said:

I have a Precise Flight 4 person system. It has given me zero trouble for the 18 years I’ve owned it. 
 

I made a spare bottle by buying an E size bottle on EBay for almost nothing and having the local cylinder shop change the valve to the same one that Precise Flight uses. I think they charged me $10 for it (a bargain) 

Same.  Precise Flight 4 person system with Oyxmizer cannulas for about 20 years. The only problem I have is that some FBO or maintenance shops don't have the right size adapter to fit my bottle.

Agree on your suggestion to keep it simple. I also suggest you get a system in which each user can adjust flow.

Supplemental oxygen can be useful on long flights and night flights even below 10,000.  You may find that you are more alert and less fatigued.

[cwaters]

I'm looking at getting a SkyOx system (2 person) so I can unlock some of the higher altitudes for my J. looks like it will be about between 600 and 800 and I was looking for some advice to see if anyone had a better system for about the same price or lower. I was looking on ebay and amazon at bottles and regulators and have no clue what I'm looking at to understand what to buy to build a system. 

[RobertGary1]

On 9/26/2021 at 6:42 PM, ohdub said:

I've only used a 2 person Aerox with oxi-saver cannulas in my J, so I can't compare it to anything else, but it works and I don't find it difficult to use.

I have the 4 place and agree it’s fine. 

[RobertGary1]

2 hours ago, cwaters said:

I'm looking at getting a SkyOx system (2 person) so I can unlock some of the higher altitudes for my J. looks like it will be about between 600 and 800 and I was looking for some advice to see if anyone had a better system for about the same price or lower. I was looking on ebay and amazon at bottles and regulators and have no clue what I'm looking at to understand what to buy to build a system. 

As I recall the issue with SkyOx is you can’t adjust individual flow rates. I went with aerox 

[RobertGary1]

Just read the SkyOx website. Marketing haha. They advertise the lack of individual settings and flows as avoiding bulking flow meters. It’s about the size of a golf pencil so if that’s bulky maybe you’d agree.

[tgardnerh]

I use D-sized medical bottles with oxygen conserver regulators and standard cannulas.
...

I've had some luck with welding shops (it's the same oxygen, they just don't pull a vacuum on the bottle before filling).
...

Also, keep one of those portable pulse/Ox monitors in the plane - it will help take any guesswork out of knowing your saturation levels at altitude.

This is my strategy too (medical D tank, constant flow reg, pulse-ox for finger).

I have had okay luck getting the tank filled at scuba shops--usually one in each metro area will do it for ~$20


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Schllc]

I highly recommend a conserver demand system. It isn’t just saving money on fills. 
a three hour flight on constant flow ravaged my sinuses to the point of a bloody nose the next day. I’m sure everyone isn’t as sensitive, but the demand systems only disperse when you inhale and are so much more comfortable.  There are several brands that work with portable bottles and the less you use the smaller bottle you need. 
I flew a 182 from Louisiana to Idaho and that bottle and hoses were always in the way and tangled. 
most that have flown with me and used regular oxygen really like the demand style o2. 
I can’t  say enough good things about it, and won’t own a plane without one type of the systems. 

[Ragsf15e]

5 hours ago, tgardnerh said:

 

This is my strategy too (medical D tank, constant flow reg, pulse-ox for finger).

I have had okay luck getting the tank filled at scuba shops--usually one in each metro area will do it for ~$20


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

As long as they use oxygen instead of “air”.  Typical scuba tanks are not 100% oxygen, they are air.  Specialty shops likely have all the more “exotic” scuba gasses.

[JoeM]

Have used old style cannulas for 18 years, I'm almost ready to get a new demand version to reduce flow and increase range. The most important two things you can do are to buy a pulse oximeter ($30 on A) and take the Air Force hyperbaric chamber ride to find out what hypoxia does to you. Everyone has different symptoms. I use 02 above 5000 feet at night, 10,000 feet during the day. It keeps me alert and improves night  vision. I find passengers don't need it until much higher, although I always offer it. 

[jaylw314]

The oxygen conserving cannulas are a reasonable middle ground for middle altitudes, and, at $30, much cheaper than a demand regulator (simpler as well)

[larryb]

I started with a SkyOx that came with my J. I then bought the Mountain High system. Save your money and just start with the MH system. If you buy something else today you'll just get the MH system later anyway and spend more money total. My experience is that a 24 cu-ft tank will last two people 24 hours at 15,000 feet. My SkyOx lasted about 4 hours. It's not that the O2 fills are that expensive (although they are) it's the hassle. The extra endurance of the MH system is worth every penny. Now in my K I have a built-in 115 cu-ft tank and a full tank lasts literally a year, and 99% of my flights use O2.
 
There are other benefits as well. MH beeps at you if you stop breathing through it or a hose comes disconnected. With a SkyOx system you'll never know there is a problem unless you are constantly testing your O2 sat.