Oxygen regulators, medical type

Thanks for the advice, Mark. I'd love an EDS system. But here in the East we rarely go high enough to need oxygen, it seems that spending $1000 on a system is overkill for use once a year or so. Also, we have very few convenient places around here to refill, other than at "wave camp".

Do those medical regulators not have a diaphragm? You'd think that's necessary, in order to shut off (at least mostly) the flow coming from the high pressure cylinder? I was guessing they have a diaphragm-based pressure reduction followed by an orifice to set the flow rate, but I may be wrong. And perhaps even the diaphragm system would have some leakage through the high pressure side valve even when it's supposedly shut because the diaphragm senses that the output pressure is high. Then again, these regulators have an "off" position, on the same knob as the non-zero flow rates. If that is simply a zero-size orifice, wouldn't the pressure then build up dangerously in the low-pressure side of that device?

On Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 6:51:25 PM UTC-8, wrote:
Thanks for the advice, Mark. I'd love an EDS system. But here in the East we rarely go high enough to need oxygen, it seems that spending $1000 on a system is overkill for use once a year or so. Also, we have very few convenient places around here to refill, other than at "wave camp".

Do those medical regulators not have a diaphragm? You'd think that's necessary, in order to shut off (at least mostly) the flow coming from the high pressure cylinder? I was guessing they have a diaphragm-based pressure reduction followed by an orifice to set the flow rate, but I may be wrong. And perhaps even the diaphragm system would have some leakage through the high pressure side valve even when it's supposedly shut because the diaphragm senses that the output pressure is high. Then again, these regulators have an "off" position, on the same knob as the non-zero flow rates. If that is simply a zero-size orifice, wouldn't the pressure then build up dangerously in the low-pressure side of that device?

Agree with others... It's life support.
As evidenced in another thread, it's easy enough to get yourself into trouble on the "occasional 18,000' flight". 100% brain power when that happens is fairly important.
Jim

An Aerox system is cheaper than an EDS, maybe half the price. This is life support, as in LIFE, this epitomizes "pound foolish". If you really wanted to save the money on an O2 system, the much smarter choice is to stay at lower altitudes where you do not need it. This is not something to jury rig or kluge together on a budget with parts not designed for this use. Honestly!!!!

On Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 6:51:25 PM UTC-8, wrote:
Thanks for the advice, Mark. I'd love an EDS system. But here in the East we rarely go high enough to need oxygen, it seems that spending $1000 on a system is overkill for use once a year or so. Also, we have very few convenient places around here to refill, other than at "wave camp".

On Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 6:51:25 PM UTC-8, wrote:
Thanks for the advice, Mark. I'd love an EDS system. But here in the East we rarely go high enough to need oxygen, it seems that spending $1000 on a system is overkill for use once a year or so. Also, we have very few convenient places around here to refill, other than at "wave camp".

Do those medical regulators not have a diaphragm? You'd think that's necessary, in order to shut off (at least mostly) the flow coming from the high pressure cylinder? I was guessing they have a diaphragm-based pressure reduction followed by an orifice to set the flow rate, but I may be wrong. And perhaps even the diaphragm system would have some leakage through the high pressure side valve even when it's supposedly shut because the diaphragm senses that the output pressure is high. Then again, these regulators have an "off" position, on the same knob as the non-zero flow rates. If that is simply a zero-size orifice, wouldn't the pressure then build up dangerously in the low-pressure side of that device?

I also agree that you should not cobble an Oxygen System. Please read this article about Hypoxia

http://www.craggyaero.com/hypoxia.htm

Mountain High has the constant flow systems including a cylinder price range from $500 to $600.

http://www.craggyaero.com/xcr_systems1.htm

EDS system with a small bottle about $849

http://www.craggyaero.com/edssystem1.htm

Call to get exact prices and cylinder sizes.

Richard
www.craggyaero.com

What's the difference, if any, in the principle of operation of the regulators in these constant-flow systems vs. the medical ones? (Other then them not having a flow restrictor built in.) In both cases, if the output is blocked (flow valve closed), does the regulator ensure the high input (cylinder) pressure does not bleed into the output?