Oxygen Refill

[brad walton]

In July, 2013 I bought an Aerox size D tank system to use in the RV8 when over 10,000 feet. I used it in July for a cross country trip and liked the flexibility to travel high, save fuel and arrive in good physical condition, not tired and no dull headache. So all was well until I tried getting a refill. I found one local airport that wants $75 to refill a 13 cubic foot bottle. Calls to dive shops, no go; welding supply, absolutely not; medical, not without a prescription. Is my only option to buy a cascade system and trans fill myself? Maybe $75 is not too far out of line? What are others doing? I am beginning to think getting a prescription for O2 from my Doctor might be a better and more economical way to go.

[rv7boy]

I seem to recall this being discussed before in these forums. Have you tried the "Search" function for this topic?

[brad walton]

I found Rite-Way Aviation at David Wayne Hooks (KDWH) will refill a D tank for $20. Now that is more like it. I am still curious what others are doing.

[rv7boy]

Just inserting your title "Oxygen Refill" in the "Search" window returned several threads, some of which answer your question, I think.

[DonFromTX]

Texas seems a little different, my only option was to get a prescription (which my doc did for free) and then trot it down to the welding shop. Cost was about twice what it would have been if I could have called it a welding bottle.

[FredMagare]

Here is a good (external) link on the subject:

http://www.avweb.com/news/pelican/18...l?redirected=1

It brings out some very good points.

[TRT]

Georgetown (KGTU) has an FBO that will refill a 22.8 cu. ft. bottle for $15.

[rv7boy]

Originally Posted by FredMagare

Here is a good (external) link on the subject:

http://www.avweb.com/news/pelican/18...l?redirected=1

It brings out some very good points.

Thanks very much for the link to an excellent reference article, Fred! That should be "Everything you ever wanted to know about Oxygen for breathing systems."

[wm708]

Brad
One of the EAA Chapter 12 guys fill his big welding tank then fills his small plane tank from that.
Bill J

[deek]

I utilize a cascade system from 3 large welding tanks at my hangar in Montana, but have my JD(M-22) cylinders re-filled in SoCal at medical oxygen supplier for $12. If I had the same local med O2 service in MT that we do in SoCal I'd dump the cascade system in a heartbeat. I rarely fly at less than 12,000 and often at FL210/220 so I go through a lot of oxygen fills. The cascade system works... but it's some effort to use, refill, etc.
Both MT and CA require a doctor's Rx for medical O2

An error in the referenced article is the frequency of hydrostatic testing on aluminum cylinders - it's 5 years (not 3) unless the tank is stamped with a 5-pointed star equating to a 10 year cycle.