Inogen G5 Oxygen Generator PIREP

[Tom 4536]

I tried an Inogen One G5 oxygen generator up to 17,500FT and the blood oxygen level never dropped below 96%. This was confirmed by two pulse oximeters. The generator has 6 output settings and I had to increase the output as I climbed. The highest setting (6) was needed at 17,500. Inogen told me that the generator would not work above 10,000 but the unit did not display any error messages. 

The generator weighs 6.5 lbs with the small (5hr) battery, the 12 volt cigarette lighter plug and cable. It has a shoulder strap that allowed me to hang it off the copilot seat between the pilot and copilot seats next to my portable oxygen cylinder. 

The best price I found was $2350 w/small (6hr) battery, free shipping and no tax, from:   mymedicaloutlet.com

[Mcstealth]

Obviously no issues then using the 12v plug ? No CB's popping?

 

Edited May 23, 2022 by Mcstealth

[Tom 4536]

49 minutes ago, Mcstealth said:

Obviously no issues then using the 12v plug ? No CB's popping?

 

No. Inogen says it will draw 10 amps (12V) but it looked to me that it drew closer to 5 amps. I did start the flight with a fully charged battery on the generator, so the plane battery was just running the generator and not having to also charge the generator battery.

[StevenL757]

3 hours ago, Tom 4536 said:

I tried an Inogen One G5 oxygen generator up to 17,500FT and the blood oxygen level never dropped below 96%. This was confirmed by two pulse oximeters. The generator has 6 output settings and I had to increase the output as I climbed. The highest setting (6) was needed at 17,500. Inogen told me that the generator would not work above 10,000 but the unit did not display any error messages. 

The generator weighs 6.5 lbs with the small (5hr) battery, the 12 volt cigarette lighter plug and cable. It has a shoulder strap that allowed me to hang it off the copilot seat between the pilot and copilot seats next to my portable oxygen cylinder. 

The best price I found was $2350 w/small (6hr) battery, free shipping and no tax, from:   mymedicaloutlet.com

Inogen concentrators (and similar products) are approved for aviation use, but that applies to passengers on pressurized aircraft  - where cabin press. levels are well-below 10k.  Is there any documentation from Inogen or another reputable/official source that states this equipment is approved (or even wise) for use by a flight crew member aboard non-pressurized aircraft?

Not sure if the price point is the major factor behind your purchase, but I'd suggest looking for an aviation-specific product that meets your needs instead of "flight-testing" something at 17,500 feet, where documentation clearly states it isn't to be used up there.  This isn't an issue of what any pulse oximeter tells you, or what your Inogen unit tells you - get a proper oxygen system in your aircraft and use the right tool for the right job.

[EricJ]

6 minutes ago, StevenL757 said:

Inogen concentrators (and similar products) are approved for aviation use, but that applies to passengers on pressurized aircraft  - where cabin press. levels are well-below 10k.  Is there any documentation from Inogen or another reputable/official source that states this equipment is approved (or even wise) for use by a flight crew member aboard non-pressurized aircraft?

Doesn't need it.   The FAA doesn't regulate portable O2 equipment for aviators.   

[McMooney]

58 minutes ago, StevenL757 said:

Inogen concentrators (and similar products) are approved for aviation use, but that applies to passengers on pressurized aircraft  - where cabin press. levels are well-below 10k.  Is there any documentation from Inogen or another reputable/official source that states this equipment is approved (or even wise) for use by a flight crew member aboard non-pressurized aircraft?

Not sure if the price point is the major factor behind your purchase, but I'd suggest looking for an aviation-specific product that meets your needs instead of "flight-testing" something at 17,500 feet, where documentation clearly states it isn't to be used up there.  This isn't an issue of what any pulse oximeter tells you, or what your Inogen unit tells you - get a proper oxygen system in your aircraft and use the right tool for the right job.

can't seem to find it, there used to be a company selling the inogen for aviation use.

[toto]

6 minutes ago, McMooney said:

can't seem to find it, there used to be a company selling the inogen for aviation use.

The company was selling them under the domain inogenaviator.com, but apparently today is only selling accessories.

I do have a screenshot in the post below, where they said explicitly that the Inogen Aviator G5 had been tested to 18k.

 

[LANCECASPER]

1 hour ago, McMooney said:

can't seem to find it, there used to be a company selling the inogen for aviation use.

The Inogen Aviator was an Inogen 2 with a 12-24 volt cigarette lighter adaptor. https://www.aviationconsumer.com/industry-news/editorial/o2-concentrators-inogen-aviator-is-tops/

I have an Inogen 3 that works great when I fly in the mid teens. The highest I've used it at is 17000 and mid 90's O2 saturation. If you are patient you can find low time Inogens on craigslist for less than $1000.

[toto]

1 minute ago, LANCECASPER said:

The Inogen Aviator was an Inogen 3 with a 12-24 volt cigarette lighter adaptor. https://www.aviationconsumer.com/industry-news/editorial/o2-concentrators-inogen-aviator-is-tops/

I have an Inogen 3 that works great when I fly in the mid teens. The highest I've used it at is 17000 and mid 90's O2 saturation. If you are patient you can find low time Inogens on craigslist for less than $1000.

They were still marketing this as an "Inogen Aviator G5" when the Inogen G5 was released, and still with the adaptor.  I have a screenshot from the inogenaviator.com home page in the link above, though I believe they're now selling only the accessories and not the Inogen device itself.