Tankerpilot75
Well Known Member
I’m sure I’m not the only RV’er to be frustrated by this but I’m having a heck of a time trying to get my portable oxygen bottle refilled at a reasonable price. It’s a small Mountain High AL-415 cylinder 14.7 cubic feet of oxygen at 2000 psi.
In the past a friend of mine generously filled it but his oxygen tanks are now low enough that the pressure output is insufficient to bring my tank to the full psi level. Using a medical oxygen refill station requires a prescription I’m told. Local welding oxygen suppliers won’t touch refilling an oxygen bottle used for breathing. FBO’s near me don’t have oxygen refill capability. The nearest place I’ve found is an airport maintenance shop about a 45 minute drive away and they want at least $50 to refill the small bottle. The drive plus recurring $50 refill cost every time I want to top my bottle off just seems like too much trouble.
Now I don’t use oxygen very often in my RV but I like to keep the bottle full for the unexpected trip. Due to age and an elevated diaphragm on one side, I tend to monitor my oxygen levels anytime I fly above 8000 feet and usually start supplementing my breathing with cannula oxygen around 8,500 feet.
Does anyone have a suggestion for a small oxygen bottle refill system that’s relatively inexpensive to purchase?
In the past a friend of mine generously filled it but his oxygen tanks are now low enough that the pressure output is insufficient to bring my tank to the full psi level. Using a medical oxygen refill station requires a prescription I’m told. Local welding oxygen suppliers won’t touch refilling an oxygen bottle used for breathing. FBO’s near me don’t have oxygen refill capability. The nearest place I’ve found is an airport maintenance shop about a 45 minute drive away and they want at least $50 to refill the small bottle. The drive plus recurring $50 refill cost every time I want to top my bottle off just seems like too much trouble.
Now I don’t use oxygen very often in my RV but I like to keep the bottle full for the unexpected trip. Due to age and an elevated diaphragm on one side, I tend to monitor my oxygen levels anytime I fly above 8000 feet and usually start supplementing my breathing with cannula oxygen around 8,500 feet.
Does anyone have a suggestion for a small oxygen bottle refill system that’s relatively inexpensive to purchase?