Nitrox O2 help

[eey_ore_9]

Hi all, I have a twinset which I use for air and I have a spare halcyon manifold off an o2 twinset and set of good thick bands. I have also purchased a set of Apeks tx50 regs which were from an o2 set up. My idea is to buy 2 euro cylinders fit the bands and manifold myself which were used on an o2 twinset thus saving myself some money. Now my question is, will I be able to take this to be filled with o2 nitrox? This will allow me to have a twinset for air diving and twinset for nitrox or mixed gas (im doing my advanced nitrox in the summer).! im thinking i might just have to buy a euro cylinder twinset already banded and manifolded in order to be able o2 nitrox fill with no hassle. Any help and advice greatly appreciated

 

[The Kraken]

I would recommend that you have the entire assembly O2 cleaned and then assembled.

If you get any nitrox fill that incorporates the partial pressure fill method, pure O2 put in the tank first and then topped off, your tanks will have to show a current "O2 Cleaned", or equivalent, sticker on them.

the K

 

[pescador775]

eey ore, this question has several components and Kraken has given the "official" answer. You may have to live with it. Get on the train, pay the conductor and get the tickets. Pesonally, I loath being herded through the gates and do it myself. However, it appears that you do not have the background, experience or equipment to it yourself including service, handling oxygen, pumping gas, etc, and we aren't even talking about having your own boat. I'm not even sure in what country that you reside so DIY may not even be legal even though what you propose is reasonable provided that the "euro" tanks arrive clean from the vendor. Here, if money is not a concern, one can set up everything and never have personal contact with anyone in the diving industry, no self styled experts who may hold official looking but dubious credentials and tell you what's what. Diving industry people, shops and manufacturers/distributors are scared of accidents and liability. They are nervous about air tanks blowing up and oxygen tanks catching fire. They seem less concerned about parts falling off of equipment which they serviced but that is another matter. Truth is, you touched on a question of lone wolf versus the herd. Hopefully, some day, you will be able to split off from the group, eat more meat and less fodder.

 

[eey_ore_9]

Im in the uk and im a plumber Gas certified with CORGI..And although MOST of the dive service industry employees are very good im probably a lot more qualified and competent than some people in the dive servicing industry! I work on GAS and ELECTRICITY installations so to strip and service a reg, normally or using o2 cleaning methods Ie grease and ultrasonic cleaner would be soooooooo easy. I have heard so many stories where friends collegues have had shoddy servicing and kit builds, twinsets,regs,first stages etc etc I feel if im doing it myself at least i know iv done it to the standard of what i personally would expect...........!

 

[pescador775]

It may be of advantage to order a copy of Oxygen Hacker's Companion. I found it to be very helpful. Good luck with your endeavors.

 

[dannobee]

You're not going to have to convince yourself that it's oxygen clean, you're going to have to convince the person putting pure oxygen in the tank that's it's clean. If that guy requires a sticker, then it being cleanroom clean without a sticker doesn't mean anything to him.

If you're filling it yourself, then you should know that the valves are usually where the problems occur, and be sure to be diligent in servicing them.

 

[pescador775]

eey ore, as you perhaps know, there are alternate ways to pump up a diving cylinder with NITROX. One method involves partial pressure fills, a method whereby the oxygen is decanted into the cylinder at elevated pressure followed by a top off of clean air. The other involves a blending process in which oxygen is mixed with air at low pressure and this mixture is in turn compressed into the diving tank. This second method does not require strict oxygen cleaning of the functional parts like the Scuba cylinder and valve, at least not a typical requirement in the US.