Oxy Con Question

[foolrex]

I bought two Air Sep Elites at the flea market (for $40 total!). They both seem to work (though I don't have my new torch yet - switching from a HH to a Bobcat for Xmas), but is there some way to determine how many hours they have on them and is there anything in particular (beyond getting the coupler from Arrow Springs) that I need to do to maintain them? (I have also read Arrow Springs little hand out on Oxy Con usage.) I was fascinated by Shrimp's recent thread since the reference there is to the same type of machine but I don't even know how to open the case (or if I should).

[Alaska]

Without a torch it is tough to determine if they are putting out oxygen or if the purity is at the correct level for a given LPM. There are meters that can be used but are most expensive ($650) for the type that does not have the disposable oxygen sensor.

These machines either have an hour meter externally visible on the machine or have one located under one of the covers. Anything under 30,000 hours is good depending on brand.

With used equipment of unknown history it is best to take the covers off and inspect the machine. Check for leaks, dust, etc.

[foolrex]

Good tip. There are some little LCD display windows on the front (near the little air column adjustment knob) and I'll try to decipher those. But how do I take the cover off these machines to inspect? The screws on each side? What will a leak look like if there is one? When I start the machines up, each does the brief alarm noise/buzz, then if I turn the little knob I can make the little ball float all the way up to the 5 (though I know for working it will be best to set it at 4).

[kbinkster]

Unscrew the screws on the sides of the cabinet. Then pull front and back panels apart. Be very careful if you decide to test for leaks. You don't want to get any electronic components wet!

[Mr. Meker]

You can check if they are putting out oxygen by-
1) Turn on for 10 minutes or so
2) Light match
3) Blow out match
4) Stick glowing match tip under oxygen outlet

If it bursts back into flame, there is more oxygen in the stream than in the normal atmosphere.

[houptdavid]

You can get the part to connect hoses at your local hardware store

[foolrex]

Well, thanks to all of you for the tips. I checked the little LCD screens and one shows about 10,000 and the other 3,600 - so that looks pretty good. Cracked the cases (per instructions) and used air from my compressor to blow out what little dust there was, inspect connections, cleanliness of the hoses, etc. That looks good too - so my $40 looks like a steal so far. Have not done the oxygen test that meker suggested, but figure that if I hook them to my new Bobcat (Yay!), I'll soon know whether I have oxygen. (Maybe later today - but I still need to test my fuel lines and get my sheet of steel to cover my wooden work table - installed my vent hood and fan earlier this week.) Thanks again for all the advice.:-)