Mountain High O2D2 - Install Pics and PIREP

[Z W]

I had thought about adding one of these units for years, but kept putting it off, due in part to not wanting yet another gadget or gizmo cluttering up the cockpit.  I could not find any pictures of one installed in a Mooney and didn't think there was a really good way to do it.  I finally bought one this year and have flown with it for probably 25 hours and wish I'd done it years ago.  The install was actually very easy and so I thought I'd put some pictures up here of what I did:

I mounted the unit here, using the velcro strips it comes with.  The line you see running into it is the oxygen supply line from the ship's bottle, and the blue circles are where you plug in the lines that go to your cannulas or mask.  It's reasonably out-of-the way here, although you do have to be a little careful not to kick it with your feet getting in and out.  I've only knocked it off the velcro once.  The velcro mount is surprisingly strong/stable, it was some kind of 3M product.  We'll see how it does over time, but so far so good.

A closer view:

Velcro pic, with bonus dirty fingernails (I was cleaning the plane):

I routed the supply lines up under the dashboard in front of the pilot's footwell and attached them to the various wires/tubing up under there with zip ties.  This pic shows the required in-line pressure reducer that comes with the O2D2, which tucked away nicely up there and is not visible unless you stick your head under the panel:

Note - the tube is secured up high and is not rubbing on the yoke, although it kind of looks like it in this photo.

It comes out the other side next to the on-board O2 plug:

And it stores away nicely like this when not in use:

I had planned to figure out a way to get it wired into the ship's power system, but honestly, it's been trouble-free like this and I haven't had to change the batteries at all yet, and doubt I will bother.

I added boom cannulas from Mountain High that plug in like this:

For the PIREP, I love this setup.  You just plug in the O2, turn it on, and flip down the boom cannula, and you're good to go.  Before this, we had Oxymizer reduced flow cannulas, and even those used far, far more O2 than the O2D2 system with its metered puffs.  A tank lasts probably 4x longer, at least. 

I'm about $1,600.00 into this, so not cheap, but after it's saved me about 12 oxygen fillups, it will have paid for itself, and that includes three boom cannulas that are about $100 apiece.  I also added an oxygen transfill setup in the hangar (and wrote another thread recently on that) so between the two, it's a lot invested, but now I can use O2 on every flight for almost free.  But better than the cost, is the convenience.  Before, I would try to ration each O2 bottle just to avoid the hassle of having to get it refilled.  Now, it lasts long enough for that not to be a factor.  And the nice short hose and boom cannula is no problem in the cockpit, compared to the 5+ feet of coiled up, messy O2 hose that had to be put on before your headset, and was always uncomfortable on your face.  Big quality of life improvement.

Pretty big safety improvement too.  It beeps an audible alert if you or your passenger aren't getting their air, and it's much more noticeable if you miss a "puff", which adds confidence when flying high.  With the shorter hose and cleaner cannula, there's fewer ways for it to get kinked up or disconnected, and if you do, it's right in front of you and easy to reach.

I've started using the O2 anywhere above about 5k feet, which is every flight if I can manage it.  Pairs really well with the turbo and lets me use it to its full capabilities.  It's not quite a pressurized cockpit but I think it's close to the next best thing, and maybe even better as far as your personal O2 levels go.  I land feeling refreshed and pumped up like I've been sitting at an oxygen bar for a few hours, instead of mildly hypoxic and fatigued. 

So there's my experience.  I hope you all may find it useful in designing your own setup if you decide to go this route.  Happy flying.

[Marc_B]

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/hellermann_adhesive.php

@Z W Get some adhesive zip tie mounts and that will help tame your tube and keep it where you want.  I know at least one Mooney pilot who drilled a hole in the center console for the feed tube to go through and wound the feed line behind the pilot side wall then drilled another hole coming out right around the scott connector.  I'm sure he did it at annual so he could see exactly what he was doing.

I have the oxygen connectors on the headliner.  So I just had Hector at Aero Comfort make a little pocket for the O2D2 module.  Regardless, I'm sure that you'll find the O2D2 module a huge help in rationing your oxygen and cut your number of fills in half!  It's pretty sweet with the facemasks as well.  Hate the mics and communicating with them, but super efficient for keeping your SPO2 up.  I find that with cannula sometimes I'm clicking on the F1 mode higher than 17,000 ft to keep >96%.  But with a facemask I'm 98% on F1 up at 25,000 feet.

[GeeBee]

What does your IA think about that setup?

[Z W]

Never had an IA comment on it, and at least two have worked on the plane since install.  I almost didn't post it, because I figured someone would be along to tell me it's illegal and will cause my plane to explode, somehow, but I'm pretty sure it's fine.  See any problems?

[Z W]

1 hour ago, Marc_B said:

@Z W Get some adhesive zip tie mounts and that will help tame your tube and keep it where you want.  I know at least one Mooney pilot who drilled a hole in the center console for the feed tube to go through and wound the feed line behind the pilot side wall then drilled another hole coming out right around the scott connector.  I'm sure he did it at annual so he could see exactly what he was doing.

 

That's a nice looking setup.  I'm not quite understanding how you have your connectors in the headliner.  I thought about trying to mount the unit on the ceiling but couldn't find a great way to connect from there to the ship's oxygen system without dropping the headliner and running it behind, which was more of a project than I wanted for now.

I also thought about drilling holes and running the tube behind the panels.  Might still do that, but wanted to test it out before doing anything more permanent.  And I was concerned with rubbing on the oxygen line where it went through the holes.  Would need grommets or something.

[Pinecone]

I put mine on the glareshield to the left of the hump.  That way is it right in my field of view.

While I can hear the puff of O2 being delivered, there are various warnings on the unit that I want to be seen.  Such as low battery, even though I mine is pluggeg in (there was a report on a forum about someone having issues due to running the batteries dead).  And if you don't breath for a while it alerts.

When I do my panel upgrade, I will probably have the run a wire for the audio alerts to go through the audio panel.

I do wish they made a version for panel mount.  I may see if my avionics shop has an idea about a cutout and shelf in the panel.

 

Plus, I had a friend 3d print a cup holder from another thread that takes up that space

[MikeOH]

1 hour ago, Pinecone said:

Plus, I had a friend 3d print a cup holder from another thread that takes up that space

GeeBee should be along shortly to ask what your IA thinks about that setup

[natdm]

Love the O2D2. The aftermarket onboard oxygen on the plane had a leak so after spending $$$ troubleshooting it, we just use portable oxygen.

We keep the O2D2 in the bag, since it's got audible alerts that work for us. Just turn it on before we take off, and I know it's on when my wife flinches and rubs her nose at 10000MSL.

[TheAv8r]

I was just looking at picking one of these up... any thoughts / how have people mounted it in a vintage Mooney with the Johnson Bar gear? 

[hammdo]

Ditto for me too…

-Don

[Bolter]

1 hour ago, TheAv8r said:

I was just looking at picking one of these up... any thoughts / how have people mounted it in a vintage Mooney with the Johnson Bar gear? 

Since you will have the portable bottle instead of factory installed O2, keeping the O2D2 in the outside pocket of the bag works well and keeps it near the bottle.  I hang the bag on the back of my seat, and hear the O2D2 beeps clearly (wearing Lightspeeds), even during flight.  

[GeeBee]

It does not take much

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EgyptAir_Flight_667

“The same test was also performed at voltages and amperage of aircraft wiring found elsewhere in the cockpit. With air in the hose, applying 28 volts DC power at 5 amps of current or 115 volts AC power at 2.5 amps did not rupture the hose or cause ignition, but 28 V DC at 6 amps or 115 V AC at 5 amps resulted in a small leak with "some incandescence".^[3]: 42 With oxygen in the tube, 5 V DC at 1.2 amps or 28 V DC at 2.5 amps did not result in a rupture, but 28 V DC at 5 amps caused a leak "followed by ignition and complete rupture of hose [sic]."

I might add the hose had outside braiding as opposed to simple vinyl tubing. 
 

Might want to ref AC43.13, 11-126 

 

[Skates97]

 

I recently picked up an Inogen G5 after reading some threads over on Beechtalk and have been very pleased with the results. On a recent flight at 11,000' it kept my O2 sats in the upper 90's, the return trip at 8,500' I was at 98-99. I don't think I would trust it for above 12,500', but in my plane I don't fly that high. I got it mainly for my wife who feels wiped out after 3-4 hours above 10k, but I felt much fresher than when not using it and plan to continue using it at night and on anything above about 7k.

They require either a prescription for oxygen or if you are a pilot and using it for flying then they just require a copy of your pilot's license.

[wombat]

1 hour ago, GeeBee said:

It does not take much

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EgyptAir_Flight_667

“The same test was also performed at voltages and amperage of aircraft wiring found elsewhere in the cockpit. With air in the hose, applying 28 volts DC power at 5 amps of current or 115 volts AC power at 2.5 amps did not rupture the hose or cause ignition, but 28 V DC at 6 amps or 115 V AC at 5 amps resulted in a small leak with "some incandescence".^[3]: 42 With oxygen in the tube, 5 V DC at 1.2 amps or 28 V DC at 2.5 amps did not result in a rupture, but 28 V DC at 5 amps caused a leak "followed by ignition and complete rupture of hose [sic]."

I might add the hose had outside braiding as opposed to simple vinyl tubing. 
 

Might want to ref AC43.13, 11-126 

 

I recommend that you use non-conductive oxygen hose so your aircraft doesn't suffer the same fate.     I don't have any idea where you would find conductive oxygen hose, but apparently Boeing found a supplier.  "The hoses in SU-GBP were composed of two layers of silicone with the spring embedded in the outer layer"

[Marc_B]

8 hours ago, Z W said:

I'm not quite understanding how you have your connectors in the headliner. 

All 4 Scott connectors for my model Mooney are in the center of the headliner and I don't have a connector by the arm rest on the side wall.  So even if I use a conserving cannula the feed connection is just behind the seats up above.

[Pinecone]

8 hours ago, MikeOH said:

GeeBee should be along shortly to ask what your IA thinks about that setup

Velcro

[LANCECASPER]

14 hours ago, Z W said:

  The velcro mount is surprisingly strong/stable, it was some kind of 3M product.  We'll see how it does over time, but so far so good.

That product is called 3M Dual Lock Re-closable Fastener. It holds really well if you prep the surface with some isopropyl alcohol first.

[toto]

7 hours ago, Skates97 said:

 

I recently picked up an Inogen G5 after reading some threads over on Beechtalk and have been very pleased with the results. On a recent flight at 11,000' it kept my O2 sats in the upper 90's, the return trip at 8,500' I was at 98-99. I don't think I would trust it for above 12,500', but in my plane I don't fly that high. I got it mainly for my wife who feels wiped out after 3-4 hours above 10k, but I felt much fresher than when not using it and plan to continue using it at night and on anything above about 7k.

They require either a prescription for oxygen or if you are a pilot and using it for flying then they just require a copy of your pilot's license.

I keep watching for a deal on a G5 but haven’t seen one yet. There’s a local ad on CraigsList that has been trying to sell one for $1599 for a couple of months with no takers. It sounds like you got yours new from the manufacturer?

[donkaye]

On 9/12/2023 at 8:09 AM, natdm said:

Love the O2D2. The aftermarket onboard oxygen on the plane had a leak so after spending $$$ troubleshooting it, we just use portable oxygen.

We keep the O2D2 in the bag, since it's got audible alerts that work for us. Just turn it on before we take off, and I know it's on when my wife flinches and rubs her nose at 10000MSL.

 I have another point of view, but I must be the only person who sent his O2D2 back.  It was a total and utter failure for me.   In addition to it being annoying to hear everyone's breathing, I couldn't get it to provide an O2 level over 93% even on the highest flow rate, plus I found it to be just one more item to clutter up the cockpit with hoses.  My plane has an altitude compensating O2 regulator that the people at Mountain High said probably caused the issue.

[Pinecone]

9 hours ago, toto said:

I keep watching for a deal on a G5 but haven’t seen one yet. There’s a local ad on CraigsList that has been trying to sell one for $1599 for a couple of months with no takers. It sounds like you got yours new from the manufacturer?

https://mainclinicsupply.com/products/inogen-one-g5-2020-model-rated-1-in-portable-high-flow-oxygen-1-6-only-4-7-pounds-free-fedex-next-day-delivery-dont-miss-this-sale?gclid=CjwKCAjwu4WoBhBkEiwAojNdXvDxidHPQNkeTiiw-MWW2DP4dwLMem1FA4mlh9hlVMZkCaXvzYHBVRoC5KoQAvD_BwE

 

$1995, brand new.  You send a copy of your pilot certificate instead of a prescription.  This is the place that most people on BT have been buying from.

[Skates97]

4 hours ago, Pinecone said:

https://mainclinicsupply.com/products/inogen-one-g5-2020-model-rated-1-in-portable-high-flow-oxygen-1-6-only-4-7-pounds-free-fedex-next-day-delivery-dont-miss-this-sale?gclid=CjwKCAjwu4WoBhBkEiwAojNdXvDxidHPQNkeTiiw-MWW2DP4dwLMem1FA4mlh9hlVMZkCaXvzYHBVRoC5KoQAvD_BwE

 

$1995, brand new.  You send a copy of your pilot certificate instead of a prescription.  This is the place that most people on BT have been buying from.

Yes, that's where I got mine. I had the link in my post but it's embeded so I guess not noticable.

If you do their chat on the website and ask about a discount they have a "Limited Time Manager Special" for $1895 that I am guessing is an ongoing thing.

Another thing to consider is their Lifetime Warranty/Service/Maintenance which is an additional $995. I am not typically one for extended warranty purchases, but this is lifetime and once a year they will send you a FedEx label to send it back for annual software updates and all the filters and tubes to be replaced free of charge. It also adds the drop coverage. At first I wasn't thinking I needed drop coverage, but then I considered the times I have had things go airborne, and figured I was one bad air pocket from it going airbone and dropping back down and breaking.

[GeeBee]

Pure O2 in a vinyl tube, melting point 66 degrees Celsius lashed against wiring with rating of 105 degrees Celsius if the oxidation from the pure O2 does not compromise the insulation first. What could possibly go wrong?

[wombat]

4 hours ago, GeeBee said:

Pure O2 in a vinyl tube, melting point 66 degrees Celsius lashed against wiring with rating of 105 degrees Celsius if the oxidation from the pure O2 does not compromise the insulation first. What could possibly go wrong?

Avgas with a flash point of 100F strapped in a tube to steel with a melting point of 1644K?    All of the same things can go wrong.

 

No, wait, let's remove oxygen for every aircraft!  And fuel!  There we go.  Much better.

[GeeBee]

29 minutes ago, wombat said:

Avgas with a flash point of 100F strapped in a tube to steel with a melting point of 1644K?    All of the same things can go wrong.

 

No, wait, let's remove oxygen for every aircraft!  And fuel!  There we go.  Much better.

Non-sequitur because you inverted the thermodynamic process.  If there was a gasoline line strapped to an electrical wire that would be very close to what is being done here.  There is a reason why the FAA requires 6 inches of separation between an electrical wire and an oxygen line.  Not mention the oxygen line draped across the edge of aluminum plate and steel tubing without chafe protection or standoffs.  

I would not ride in it and even the OP expressed misgivings. When you have mis-givings, listen to that little voice. 

[MikeOH]

21 minutes ago, GeeBee said:

I would not ride in it and even the OP expressed misgivings. When you have mis-givings, listen to that little voice. 

Hmm, would this be the quote where the OP expressed 'misgivings' ?

"Never had an IA comment on it, and at least two have worked on the plane since install.  I almost didn't post it, because I figured someone would be along to tell me it's illegal and will cause my plane to explode, somehow,.."