COPD & Emphysema Support Group

COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...

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out of oxygen

dogman1313
dogman1313
Last nite about ten I noticed the yellow light, meaning just about of oxygen, this was sunday nite. I was not due for a refill until next wednsday, that was about four days ubn the future, noway was I going to have enough to last. So, I call the supplier, and they got someone out to me. "I live way out in the country" about 4 am. Why I had run out so soon, I don't know. I know I did not leAve the o2 on when not using it. And. to be 3 or4 days short does not make sense even if I had left it on for a short time. The only thing I could think of is the tanks < I have 3 tanks> were not filled properly. Any ideas?
bjrapp2020
bjrapp2020
I am not sure what you use or what they look like, but I use the &quot;E&quot; cylinders tanks as backup, and found on one of them the regulater was not working right. The little seal had fallen off. So when I turned the oxygen off at the regulater only (Not useing the key also) the o2 leaked out.
I did not run out because at this time my sequal was in the shop and I was useing these for doctor appointments and such. So when I had to go somewhere else later that day I noticed I had less o2 than I had when I turned it off.
I had Mark to check the regulater and when he did he noticed the seal, o ring, or what ever you call it had fallen off probably when being moved from one tank to the other.
So the medical supplier sent me out a new regulater. But now just to be sure, I turn it off with the key and the regulater knob. I do not use them that often, but do not need any surprise when I do!!

I hope your problem is as simple. Have your suppliers check the regulaters, and ask has any other customers complained about running out to soon, if that is not it. It may be with how ever they are re filling the tanks.

Good Luck
BJ
StevenHanna
StevenHanna
I used to run into a problem when getting scuba tanks filled which sounds like it could be what you may have happening. When the tanks are filled too quickly, or not cooled during filling, you end up with what is called a &quot;hot fill&quot;. The air or O2 heats up while being compressed and it expands. This causes the guage on the tank to show full, so the tanks are closed and disconnected. Once the air / O2 cools off and contracts, you end up with a tank that isn't completely full. I've had tanks lose as much as 30 % when filled improperly. Sounds like an issue to check with your supplier about.
dogman1313
dogman1313
steve thanks a lot I have a hunch u solved the mystery
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have at times think that some of my cylinders have nolt been filled to the top I noticed this by running out sooner than normal and also when picking them up one might feel heavier than the other That is what made me think they were not filled to top.
Second on those seals on regulator I have my supplier leave me extras to replace myself when they wear out. I now know that when I put the regulator on and it seaps air out(hissing sound) the seal needs replaced. So I take the rubber seal off and put new one on and then it works fine.