Oxygauge experience?

David Ulvær · 3rd December 2006, 01:27

Hello Rebreather-divers!

I was just wondering if anyone could give me some feedback from experience they have had with the oxygauge from Dräger. I have read several places that it is not reliable and one should consider other options with triple sensors and so on. My question is then: What does this mean for me?
I dive a Dräger Ray with a small customization. The customization is a special part from tecme.de that allowes me to put the oxygauge sensor directly on my inhale-breathinghose. I dive only non-deco dives down to maximum 30 meters (I use a 40 mix in my tank, and the standard 50 % bypass/dosage unit to get the max dept at 30 meters and I think this is acceptable).

So the question is: can the oxygauge be trusted for my type of diving or is the oxygauge simply just a piece of crap? I am of course aware that a single sensor solution is a single point of failure setup.

Also another question is: How long is the normal lifetime of a sensor if one uses it say once a week or so? And how long can it be stored after it is opened (and you don't use it for a long period of time?)

Regards
David

RonMicjan · 3rd December 2006, 05:32

they have a tendency to flood, usually from the cable gland. I have flooded 3 of them, but it usually happened deeper than 140fsw, if you are not going that deep, it should be ok. Sensors are usually good for a year or so, sometimes a bit more, if you are running SCR the sensor is not quite as critical as CCR, as long as you do a flow check before each dive and are situationally aware enough to notice if the unit stops bubbling during a dive.

welcome to Rebreather World, enjoy your time here!

johnv · 3rd December 2006, 06:16

If you stay within the spec [ depth wise ] they are fine. If you don't then it's down to luck how many dives it takes to flood. If you flood it with seawater, then it's done for.

John

David Ulvær · 3rd December 2006, 09:12

Thanks for the feedback!

One more question: I have had the oxygauge for less than a year, and so my sensor is also less than a year old, so how will I notice that the sensor is worn out? Will it simply stop working or will it show incorrect readings always or sometimes or what? Will it for example show the wrong reading if I simply do a calibration in normal air on land?

David

johnv · 3rd December 2006, 15:47

it should fail to calibrare, BUT I'd change it before then. how much before is a guess. 18months ish maybe???

John

bletso · 7th December 2006, 23:07

Just avoid putting side forces on the gauge hose interface. It will flood at any depth. I placed some silicone adhesive around the hose where it enters the gauge. (That was before I made my own.) Your use of the gauge is appropriate for the diving you do at this time.

I have some pics of a defective unit at http://www.airheadsscuba.com/po2gauge.html if you are interested. It shows where to expect problems.

3rd December 2006, 01:27	#1 (permalink)
David Ulvær New Member Current Rebreather/s: Ray Other Rebreather/s: Ray Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oslo Posts: 2	Oxygauge experience? Hello Rebreather-divers! I was just wondering if anyone could give me some feedback from experience they have had with the oxygauge from Dräger. I have read several places that it is not reliable and one should consider other options with triple sensors and so on. My question is then: What does this mean for me? I dive a Dräger Ray with a small customization. The customization is a special part from tecme.de that allowes me to put the oxygauge sensor directly on my inhale-breathinghose. I dive only non-deco dives down to maximum 30 meters (I use a 40 mix in my tank, and the standard 50 % bypass/dosage unit to get the max dept at 30 meters and I think this is acceptable). So the question is: can the oxygauge be trusted for my type of diving or is the oxygauge simply just a piece of crap? I am of course aware that a single sensor solution is a single point of failure setup. Also another question is: How long is the normal lifetime of a sensor if one uses it say once a week or so? And how long can it be stored after it is opened (and you don't use it for a long period of time?) Regards David
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3rd December 2006, 05:32	#2 (permalink)
RonMicjan Cap Ron scourge of the NW Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cape Disapointment, The Graveyard of the Pacific Posts: 1,081	Re: Oxygauge experience? they have a tendency to flood, usually from the cable gland. I have flooded 3 of them, but it usually happened deeper than 140fsw, if you are not going that deep, it should be ok. Sensors are usually good for a year or so, sometimes a bit more, if you are running SCR the sensor is not quite as critical as CCR, as long as you do a flow check before each dive and are situationally aware enough to notice if the unit stops bubbling during a dive. welcome to Rebreather World, enjoy your time here! __________________ Ron "Life is pain princess, anyone who tells you different, is selling something", The Dread Pirate Wesley. www.tmishop.com Diving bits etc.
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3rd December 2006, 06:16	#3 (permalink)
johnv Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: UK Posts: 125	Re: Oxygauge experience? If you stay within the spec [ depth wise ] they are fine. If you don't then it's down to luck how many dives it takes to flood. If you flood it with seawater, then it's done for. John
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3rd December 2006, 09:12	#4 (permalink)
David Ulvær New Member Current Rebreather/s: Ray Other Rebreather/s: Ray Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oslo Posts: 2	Re: Oxygauge experience? Thanks for the feedback! One more question: I have had the oxygauge for less than a year, and so my sensor is also less than a year old, so how will I notice that the sensor is worn out? Will it simply stop working or will it show incorrect readings always or sometimes or what? Will it for example show the wrong reading if I simply do a calibration in normal air on land? David
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3rd December 2006, 15:47	#5 (permalink)
johnv Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: UK Posts: 125	Re: Oxygauge experience? it should fail to calibrare, BUT I'd change it before then. how much before is a guess. 18months ish maybe??? John
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7th December 2006, 23:07	#6 (permalink)
bletso An independent diver. Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Home Build Join Date: May 2006 Location: Louisville, KY, USA Posts: 219	Re: Oxygauge experience? Just avoid putting side forces on the gauge hose interface. It will flood at any depth. I placed some silicone adhesive around the hose where it enters the gauge. (That was before I made my own.) Your use of the gauge is appropriate for the diving you do at this time. I have some pics of a defective unit at http://www.airheadsscuba.com/po2gauge.html if you are interested. It shows where to expect problems.
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