Oxygen system - Make your own.

[RickWoodall]

I decided I wanted an o2 system after enjoying flying high and crossing the the US and Canada. Looked into buying a ready to go one and found it a nightmare, even just getting it refilled in Canada is a battle if they know its for aviation. (a good two place d size would have set me back $500 to $800)

SO, figured I would make my own and learn how to not only build one but also be set up to get cheap refills and not have to get into the certifying the tank etc costs. Lots of good info here in the archives to help.

Here is what I got and the costs. I am 100% happy but am certainly open to ideas or improvements.

Chad therapeutics oxymizer cannulas $20 each x2
New pediatric low flow regulator with 0-4lpm dial $22
Ingen Tech Oxyview flow meters 2 x $12
1/4 ball valve to isolate copilot side if flying solo $11
D size alum tank (got medical prescrip) so tank annual rental and full of 02 was $55, they even threw in a nice carry bag. Refills are $25 each

So, a two man, D size low flow system, with meter, flow verifiers etc cost me $150, 02 included. Good deal!
Refills are $25 a time, you just walk into the medical place and give them the old and they hand you a new cyclinder. Simple.
Also, I did go to walmart prior to last big trip and for $32 got a very nice pulse ox meter. So for $180, if you are looking for a good 02 system. Here you go.

[DonFromTX]

I did almost exactly the same thing, only found it better to buy a bottle down here, got me a "Jumbo D" size with fresh hydro static test for $50.
To get it filled in the US you MUST produce a medical prescription since it is a medical oxy bottle, upon which they fill it with welding oxygen for you, my Doc had no problems giving me one. Go figure.

[RickWoodall]

Thats is the kind of headache I found too. Nobody wants to fill the o2, or if they do they want $75. So getting the medical deal was the right path. Doc gave a prescrip, no issue. Dont tell the 02 firm its for flying, they get goofy.

I wanted to own a tank, but unless you go with your own transfil station...no way to refill. Silly. But...finally got it done and it took a lot of work, so figured I would post to see if it helped others get one built.

[Brantel]

Use caution with the script because the FAA might want to know someday why you are on supplemental oxygen..... I think I will get my wife to ask her doc for one!

[Neal@F14]

Anybody ever try claiming the oxygen tank is for your exotic fish aquarium and getting it refilled that way?

[RickWoodall]

In Canada, there are special Docs who do our aviation medical. A call to him and trip in with a request for a script was fine. Just tell them you are planning on doing some high alt flying...they would much rather you be safe as they all know about hypoxia. No worries at all.

Now the 02 company lady in their front office sales dept is terrified the tank will blow up as soon as I take off. When I told her a can of pop does ok, she just looked at me. Seriously...her concern was that the 02 cylinder would blow up. What the point in even starting the conversation?

As for FAA or our equivalent (transport canada) they would have no issue at all with a pilot having supplemental 02.

[Auburntsts]

I don't get the need for a script -- must be a Canadian thing. I've read a number of posts here, on AOPA, and on POA about DIY O2 set-ups and it would seem most simply buy a tank and take it to the local welding O2 supplier (who probably also supplies the local medical and aviation O2 as it all comes from the same LOX tank). Some even go to dive shops.

The only issue I ever recall reading about is having the right connections on the bottle in order to do the transfill.

[Ron Lee]

Typical scuba tanks are filled with compressed air...not oxygen.

[DonFromTX]

I argued with the supplier, who also fills my welding OX tanks. He agreed that it was the same ox and a silly requirement, but blamed Obama for the need for a prescription to fill the bottle. An easy way out would be to get one of the Harbor freight Oxy bottles and just fill it as a welding tank. I think they charged me $45 to fill my Jumbo D tank.

Originally Posted by Auburntsts

I don't get the need for a script -- must be a Canadian thing. I've read a number of posts here, on AOPA, and on POA about DIY O2 set-ups and it would seem most simply buy a tank and take it to the local welding O2 supplier (who probably also supplies the local medical and aviation O2 as it all comes from the same LOX tank). Some even go to dive shops.

The only issue I ever recall reading about is having the right connections on the bottle in order to do the transfill.

[dweyant]

Medical O2 in the US is a pain.

I use O2 a lot for Scuba Diving. While it isn't used for standard recreational diving, it is used frequently for decompression diving (it will kill you deeper than 20 ft).

If you are in an area that has a lot of technical diving. I.e. a lot of coastal areas, Florida (especially northern Florida), great lakes, etc. There are likely a number of dive shops that pump oxygen.

If you have such a shop locally, they will most likely be quite happy to sell you oxygen at about $.20 - $.40 a cubic foot. I.e. the small bottles you are likely using in your plane would cost you well under $15 to fill from empty.

The only possible issue, would be if they have the right adapters to fill medical grade tanks. However, for the price difference, if might be worth buying your own.

Another option would be to buy your own. I pay less than $20 for a K bottle (300 cubic foot) of Oxygen. You would also need fill whips, etc. to transfill into the bottles you are using in the plane.

One word of caution. Please be very careful playing with high pressure oxygen. I had a friend wind up with burns over 80% of his body due to a HP Oxygen fire from a tank...

-Dan