Oxygen Analyzer recomendations

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Danlw - 12 Apr 2006 03:18 GMT

Looking to replace my old (12 years or so) oxygen
analyzer. I would like one that will handle nitrox
and tri-mix. Suggestions from personal experience?

Thanks, Dan
(Space left blank for witty tag line)

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Patrick Harman - 12 Apr 2006 03:35 GMT

You probably only need to replace the sensor.

check out the following site:

http://www.oxycheq.com/

I know they all work with Nitrox, I have no experiance with Tri-mix, but
expect they all work there too. The El cheapo works great, but you or a
friend must have experiance soldering printed circuit boards.

Pat

> Looking to replace my old (12 years or so) oxygen
> analyzer. I would like one that will handle nitrox
> and tri-mix. Suggestions from personal experience?
>
> Thanks, Dan
> (Space left blank for witty tag line)

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Danlw - 12 Apr 2006 04:11 GMT

> You probably only need to replace the sensor.
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Pat

Thanks--mine is completely dead so will have to replace. I did see the El
Cheapo, but it will not work with trimix.

Dan

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Art Greenberg - 12 Apr 2006 11:49 GMT

> Thanks--mine is completely dead so will have to replace. I did see the El
> Cheapo, but it will not work with trimix.
>
> Dan

Sure it will. What makes you think you need to measure the helium fraction?

Signature

Art

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Danlw - 13 Apr 2006 03:05 GMT

>> Thanks--mine is completely dead so will have to replace. I did see the
>> El
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Sure it will. What makes you think you need to measure the helium
> fraction?

I admit, I don't know. Have used nitrox only in the past.
I saw that some O2 checkers noted they worked with trimix and some did not.
Am planning on taking class in trimix, since I had to replace O2 checker
anyway....
Don't know if I need checker for argon yet :)

So per the info request, you have personal experience with EL Cheapo?

Regards, Dan

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Art Greenberg - 13 Apr 2006 03:49 GMT

> > Sure it will. What makes you think you need to measure the helium
> > fraction?
> >
> I admit, I don't know. Have used nitrox only in the past.
> I saw that some O2 checkers noted they worked with trimix and some did not.

Huh? Seems silly. I can't begin to guess why a manufacturer or vendor would
differentiate. Helium does not affect the typical oxygen sensor used in SCUBA
applications at all.

> So per the info request, you have personal experience with EL Cheapo?

No. Similar units, yes. Its nothing more than an oxygen sensor (actually a
chemical generator powered by oxygen) and a voltmeter. Virtually all of the
oxygen analyzers used in SCUBA are that type. Cheap and simple works well
within limits acceptable for this application.

IMO it might be worthwhile to spend a bit more for a longer-life sensor, or
for a ruggedized or watertight case. But I think the sensor sold with El
Cheapo is about as good as it gets for this application without spending
excessively.

Signature

Art

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Danlw - 13 Apr 2006 03:57 GMT

>> > Sure it will. What makes you think you need to measure the helium
>> > fraction?
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> Cheapo is about as good as it gets for this application without spending
> excessively.

It does appear that the sensor is the important, and most expensive part of
all of them. El Cheapo may be all I need.
The sensor on mine may be OK but the rest is dead, and it was pretty slow
anyway. Thanks, Dan

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Shrek - 12 Apr 2006 12:55 GMT

For Nitrox you probably need to replace an Oxygen sensor.
For Trimix you need separate Helium analyser. You measure Oxygen first
and than you make a measurement of Helium (or opposite).
There are combo analysers measuring both at the same time, but this is
just two analysers put into one box, so if your Oxygen analyser works, I
think you can consider buying Helium analyser separately and Oxygen
sensor depending on the price. However, do note that helium analyser is
not a cheap thing - combo box may cost above 1000USD, which makes a
difference compared to Oxygen sensor (if your analyser's electronic
works) which would cost between 60-80USD I believe.
Go to Oxycheq web page and chek yourself.

BR
Shrek

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Danlw - 13 Apr 2006 03:08 GMT

>> Looking to replace my old (12 years or so) oxygen
>> analyzer. I would like one that will handle nitrox
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> BR
> Shrek

Thanks. My analyzer is dead. There are a lot of them out there and that is
why I want some recommendations from personal experience rather than what
the companies say about themselves. Dan

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StockDrover@gmail.com - 14 Apr 2006 15:18 GMT

http://www.analox.net/site/content_o2e2.php

I've used this unit for five years. Its rugged, dependable and dead
simple to use. It comes with a sealing plug to maximize sensor life
when not in use. I replaced the first sensor last xmas after about 4
years of use. Works on Din or Yoke without changing anything. The
sensor is *fast*. You can't measure PO2 by mistake (over-pressurize).
If you think it's too expensive, then don't even bother looking at
Helium analyzers.

I don't like El Cheapo. I used it many times at local shop.
Hold the sensor to the tank.
Hold the readout in the other hand.
Open the valve (with 3rd hand?) No, set the thing down...not that easy
on a boat.

Too many connections and opportunities for signal degradation. Yes,
they will adjust out when you calibrate, but a phono-plug/RCA jack can
change things with just a twist, especially when the
unsealed-non-water-resistant box has hidden corrosion from salt air
exposure. Carry it on a liveaboard or boat? Not without meticulous
care. I just throw the O2EII on the camera table and leave it there.
Except for the sensor input, it's sealed by o-ring.

Don't buy a helium tester. Use a shop you trust. Use a shop that has a
helium analyzer. Helium fraction can be verified during fill with just
an O2 analyzer anyway.

JMO

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