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Old December 2nd 06, 02:29 PM posted to rec.aviation.piloting
Bill Denton
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Posts: 40
Default O2 Concentrator instead of O2 tank

O2 Concentrators work by removing nitrogen from the ambient air, leaving the
oxygen, which comprises 21% of the air.

At altitude, the air still contains 21% oxygen. But since the air is
"thinner", it contains less oxygen than does the air at sea level.

So removing the nitrogen doesn't actually provide any additional oxygen at
altitude.

So, would a concentrator even provide any benefits?



"Larry Dighera" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 02 Dec 2006 11:42:08 GMT, "Neil Gould"
wrote in
:

At 12v, 100w = 8.3 amps; 400w = 33.2 amps (half those for 24v systems).
That's a lot of juice to draw.


I thought about that too, but IIRC cigar lighters are fused at 10A,
and the pilot alone can operate on oxygen up to 15,000' for thirty
minutes without oxygen for passengers:



§ 91.211 Supplemental oxygen.

(a) General. No person may operate a civil aircraft of U.S.
registry-

(1) At cabin pressure altitudes above 12,500 feet (MSL) up to and
including 14,000 feet (MSL) unless the required minimum flight
crew is provided with and uses supplemental oxygen for that part
of the flight at those altitudes that is of more than 30 minutes
duration;

(2) At cabin pressure altitudes above 14,000 feet (MSL) unless the
oxygen during the entire flight time at those altitudes; and

(3) At cabin pressure altitudes above 15,000 feet (MSL) unless
each occupant of the aircraft is provided with supplemental
oxygen.
...