Mares LED Tank Module with just air (non-nitrox)

[happyharris]

I'm looking at the instruction manual for the Mares LED Tank Module, and discovered it says two things in consecutive sections:

CE CERTIFICATION
The pressure gauge is a Category III device as defined under European Regulation 2016/425, and complies with the specifications set out in the harmonized European Standard EN250:2014 for use with air. It is compliant with the specifications set forth in the harmonized European Standard EN 13949:2003 for use with oxygen-rich mixtures (Nitrox). . . .

OK, good for air and nitrox

The pressure gauge is designed for use exclusively with Nitrox, up to 100% oxygen.The use of air (EN 12021) or any mixture other than Nitrox or oxygen would contaminate the equipment, requiring cleaning and servicing by a Qualified Technician at a Mares Lab Service Center before it can be used with nitrox or oxygen again. . .

Er, what? Could it really be that you can't use it with air, and you have to use Nitrox?

I imagine there will be many people who can say "I've been using it with air and not had any problems". Conversely, relatively few people will be able to post "I used it with air and I died".

Does anyone have any insight into this?

 

[tursiops]

I'm looking at the instruction manual for the Mares LED Tank Module, and discovered it says two things in consecutive sections:



OK, good for air and nitrox

Er, what? Could it really be that you can't use it with air, and you have to use Nitrox?

I imagine there will be many people who can say "I've been using it with air and not had any problems". Conversely, relatively few people will be able to post "I used it with air and I died".

Does anyone have any insight into this?

It used to be that shops that sold air did not filter the gas sufficiently to meet "nitrox clean" standards. Thus the pretty much outdated requirement that if you used air you had to reclean your refs, valves, transmitter, etc. Now most run their air through the same cleaning filters they use for nitrox. So check with your shop; if they provide dirty air find another shop.

 

[happyharris]

It used to be that shops that sold air did not filter the gas sufficiently to meet "nitrox clean" standards. Thus the pretty much outdated requirement that if you used air you had to reclean your refs, valves, transmitter, etc. Now most run their air through the same cleaning filters they use for nitrox. So check with your shop; if they provide dirty air find another shop.

Thanks - makes sense.