Bob Posted February 1, 2013 Report Posted February 1, 2013 I took my oxygen bottle in for a hydro test and the regulator was damaged. Looks like the shop will make good on their mistake. I am looking into other options, besides repair, for the long term. My O2 bottle is 10 years old and needs a hydro test every 3 years. The regulator is 33 years old and is very expensive to repair when needing service. My Mooney is a 1980 K. Option #1- Replace the regulator with a overhauled unit from a FAA repair facility and maintain the risk in the future of regulator repair costs as well as a hydro test every 3 years and 14 years of life left on the bottle. But basically be where I was last week, since my regulator was overhauled just 3 years ago. Option #2- Upgrade the complete onboard oxygen system with a new system. I can sell my damaged regulator and used tank for $900 (I already have a buyer available) and add the $3300 from the company that damaged my factory regulator. This, after adding a few$$$?, will give me a new system with composite bottle and a hydo test every 5 years and 15 year life. Has anyone upgraded their onboard oxygen? I talked to Precise Flight today and they said they only have an STC for the M, S and R. What paperwork process would be needed? Any thoughts and sources are greatly appreciated! Quote
M20F-1968 Posted February 1, 2013 Report Posted February 1, 2013 I did all of the above and more and have a new O2 system installed in a 1968 F model. I started with an O2 system taken from an Ovation. Installed the mechanical parts to support the system in the airframe. Then changed the original O2 bottle to a 50 cubic foot size, and had the regulators rebuilt. This was all done with DER approval. Then I wrote a new POH given that the O2 bottle size was different from the original and that had to go to the FAA for their approval. Now I have an installation which is legal, with a composite bottle (15 years) with hydrostatic test needed every 5 years. John Breda Quote
kortopates Posted February 1, 2013 Report Posted February 1, 2013 There shouldn't be an issue installing a kevlar tank in the Mooney K model. The Mooney IPC oxygen section includes for example a 115.7 cu/ft tank option. Installing a kevlar 115.7 cu/ft tank, say from Aerox, only need a logbook entry from your A&P, eventhough the IPC doesn't spec a kevlar bottle - a minor mod. The DOT, not FAA, specifies testing requirements, services life and manufacturing protocol. So you want to make sure its DOT approved by seeing its stamp - but frankly that's not a concern buying through any aviation source. http://aerox.com is very popular, also there is mountain high http://mhoxygen.com/ . I use the kevlar tank, have too since I use the large size and our K models are so very weight limited-every pound counts! I personally wouldn't want to replace the regulator though due to its expense, just conitnue to get it serviced periodically - like evey other hyrdo. Quote
Bob Posted February 4, 2013 Author Report Posted February 4, 2013 Thanks for the thoughts and sources on this! I think I am going to stick with what I have and repair and overhaul my regulator. A few factors were: paperwork & approval, my current tank age, labor to change to a new regulator and larger tank and also a negative effect to reducing weight. No typo, if I reduced the weight of the oxygen bottle with a Kevlar unit, the aircraft would be forward of the balance window. Currently, I am on the forward line of the window with one or two seats filled. The 3 blade install about 10years ago did that. Quote
kortopates Posted February 4, 2013 Report Posted February 4, 2013 Bob, review you planes service manual for the K - see figure 8-1 on Charlie Weight installation or attached. If your CG is that far forward you're experiencing degraded cruise performance and a unusually heavy nose during the landing flare as you pull back on the yoke - even with full up trim. If so, installing the appropriate Charlie weight will rectify this for you and move the CG back to where it should be. Quote
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