Posted by Sorcerer (38.193.87.127) on September 10, 1999 at 00:26:55:
In Reply to: oxygen posted by heybrian on September 09, 1999 at 17:20:54:
You have received correct information from this board.
There is NO difference between "medical O2" from the
big green tank, and "welder's O2" from the big orange tank.
Locally, a K-tank (225 cubic feet at 2000 PSI) rents
for $49/year, $12 exchange when empty...delivered!
An M-tank of "medical" contains slightly less gas, rents for
$45/mo., $10 exchange when empty. That's 10X as much as
the O2 from a welding supply!
A standard single stage Victor welding gas (O2) regulator
is calibrated in PSI rather than Liter/min. List (new) $150, but
readily sells for $75-80. Satisfactorily regulating gas
flow through a new welding gas regulator is simple
and economical. Merely set a flow rate that allows you
to breathe without uncomfortable resistance, and that
will be approximately 10 L/m.
Attach a 9/16" #18 thread (rt. hand thread: barbed, 1/4"
hose nipple to the output of the regulator ($1.00 at
any welding supply depot) and run any length of 1/4" ID
tubing you desire. As Ueli suggested, make the tubing long
enough to allow you to take a pee in the middle of the
night! (The tank weighs 150#, so it isn't "portable.")
If you own or rent a smaller "medical" tank, you can refill
it from the K-tank by using a "transfiller," available for
$100 from Mountain O2 Systems. Email me for details, if interested.
Unless your insurance covers O2 at 100%, this will ultimately
save big bucks and eliminate the hassle of a prescription.