O2 sensors?

[FW]

I saw a thread on Rebreather world, saying Teledyne no longer sells CCR sensors. What is everyone using now?

[icestac]

Your cells go bad? :smt102 You must be doing something wrong.

On a serious note, the AI cells are SUPPOSED to have gotten better in the last year and most are using those as an alternative. I will let you know how they work when I use all my Teledynes.

Cheers,
Jeff

[billyf]

heard that Max Tec pulled theirs too (well have designated that they are not intended for CCR use)

[Benthic]

<snip>
...the AI cells are SUPPOSED to have gotten better in the last year and most are using those as an alternative.
<snip>

Lord I hope so. We tried AI cells once a couple years ago, and we weren't pleased at all. I went back to Teledynes almost immediately and swore that I'd never use anything else.

From what I can tell now, AI is my only option.

Brian

[JDostal]

It seems that Teledyne got out of the game due to so many people/families bringing lawsuits against them.

I'm set for the next year, I got my rebreather and ordered 3 cells + 1 spare about a week before the news hit the innerwebs.

Everyone I have talked to that dives ccr's says that the AI cells are unstable, die fast and do other funky things so I am not looking forward to next spring when I have to start buying new cells.

The guy that runs DiveGearExpress and several reps from AI have jumped onto the Rebreather World forums and have promised that the problems everyone is familiar with are a thing of the past. Still a little nerve wracking though.

I calibrated my Teledynes after leaving them in air for a day or so after opening them and I only have to do minor tweaks every weekend when I go diving and the variance between the three during a dive is next to nothing. I like that.

But it seems that for now AI is the only company offering O2 sensors that are rated/intended for rebreather use.

[deepairmike]

In a few months there will be a new source. In the meantime teledyne is still making them for medical we need to find someone in that field to get us a big box.

[sea2summit]

In a few months there will be a new source. In the meantime teledyne is still making them for medical we need to find someone in that field to get us a big box.

Black market, that's what I was looking for:smt063

Seriously though I only have two spares and three really old ones I'm currently using sooo whatever happens I hope it happens soon.

[crazyduck]

From prior posting and the problems described in other sites I think their manufacturing systems were not strict enough. Measuring small amounts are electrolyte is a pain and unless they are holding it to three places then maintaining consistency would be difficult. Also the electrolyte solution needs to be tested on regular basis for consistent results. When you start stacking the variables it's a pain in the rear end.

Considering all electronics are reading oxygen sensors the manufacturing needs to be as tight as they can get.

Other divers also had good points that we should be using the plug in style verses exposed wires. I have been thinking about making connections and then sealing them to reduce corrosion.

Testing cells at 15ft has been the only really way we have had good results. Plus, watching for anomalies such has the sensor jumping high, or falling off before they crash.

[amphipod06]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

AI cells have been pretty much crap, every single one of them. I appreciate Mark's customer's service and warranty on them but even the ones that I got as replacements have been so flaky that out of disgust I swore I would not use them again.

I guess I am up the proverbial creek, curse eegits and their lawsuits!!

Dive safe,

Celia

[FW]

From prior posting and the problems described in other sites I think their manufacturing systems were not strict enough. Measuring small amounts are electrolyte is a pain and unless they are holding it to three places then maintaining consistency would be difficult. Also the electrolyte solution needs to be tested on regular basis for consistent results. When you start stacking the variables it's a pain in the rear end......
If anyone thinks todays cells are bad, they should read about the problems the early rebreathers had. In the early 70s, when the first "elecronic" rebreathers came out, they were nicknamed "chrome death" because of all the bad readings.

It wasn't until Teledyne sensors came out that rebreathers were considered more or less "safe". It is no surprise that most comercisl units use three sensors.

[DeepSea]

heard that Max Tec pulled theirs too (well have designated that they are not intended for CCR use)

Max Tecs sucked to begin with though...

[Tegg]

Max Tecs sucked to begin with though...

Agreed.

[FW]

I may have to find some sensors out of a "Chrome Death", since they can be refilled :roll:

[Me]

This is going to have bearing on analyzers too for us nitrox folks. I was able to get one last Teledyne for my OxySpy, but what about when I need one again?

[FW]

This is going to have bearing on analyzers too for us nitrox folks. I was able to get one last Teledyne for my OxySpy, but what about when I need one again?
Teledyne still sells sensors, just not ones for rebreathers. Hopefully they will still sell ones for analyzers (unless the analyzer uses rebreather sensors).

[billyf]

Teledyne still sells sensors, just not ones for rebreathers. Hopefully they will still sell ones for analyzers (unless the analyzer uses rebreather sensors).

yea
we'll just have to wait until they settle down then rebuild our electronics to use the sensors that they sell for analyzers.
strange thing is that the R22D is used in analyzers.
maybe they are just changing the packaging and warning and will start selling them again as "Analyzer Only, Not intended for CCR use"
seem to me if they just printed “Not for CCR use” on the sensor that no one could say that they did not receive sufficient notification.

[billyf]

Max Tecs sucked to begin with though...


Agreed.

well now you have a choice of crappy Max Tecs or crappy AI.

[billyf]

Hay,
Being that all of these BS Law suits caused Teledyne why can’t we open a class action suit against those who opened the law suits?

For creating a undue hazard in the sport, chain of causation! :smt102

Now wouldn’t that ironic justice!

[JDostal]

yea
we'll just have to wait until they settle down then rebuild our electronics to use the sensors that they sell for analyzers.
strange thing is that the R22D is used in analyzers.
maybe they are just changing the packaging and warning and will start selling them again as "Analyzer Only, Not intended for CCR use"
seem to me if they just printed “Not for CCR use” on the sensor that no one could say that they did not receive sufficient notification.


The R22 is used in analyzers but not the R22D. The R22D cells have the hydrophobic membrane over the sensor face to keep humidity/moisture out. They will no longer manufacture the cells with the hydrophobic membrane. Otherwise there truly is no difference between the cells.

[FW]

The R22 is used in analyzers but not the R22D. The R22D cells have the hydrophobic membrane over the sensor face to keep humidity/moisture out. They will no longer manufacture the cells with the hydrophobic membrane. Otherwise there truly is no difference between the cells.
Hmmm, I wonder if we could re-use the membranes from our old cells?

[Me]

Unfortunately the OxySpy analyzer takes the R22D....which sux, as I have two OxySpy analyzers.

Joel has them on his website for a premium price....not sure who his supplier is....but they are not Teledyne yellow.

[icestac]

Unfortunately the OxySpy analyzer takes the R22D....which sux, as I have two OxySpy analyzers.

Joel has them on his website for a premium price....not sure who his supplier is....but they are not Teledyne yellow.

You should still be able to use the R22 in the analyzer.

[Me]

You should still be able to use the R22 in the analyzer.

Thanks, I will give that a try before I buy a new analyzer.

[Randy Thornton]

Edit: Remember Rule #2!