This is how I installed the Aithre Turbo Oxygen Maker Portable. It should be noted this is sold as a "portable" O2 system and it's not terribly "portable". I also purchased the power connectors (sold separately) so I could hard wire it in. It's a big unit. It's too big to sit up front in the SlingTsi, so I had to find a better place to put it. Because I didn't install the parachute in my plane I had a little extra room in the back. I installed some rivets in the luggage floor and then match drilled some holes in the base of the O2 Maker so it could easily be installed/removed with just the thumb screws. The unit is in very securely and is easily removed if I need more room in the back.
For plumbing, I used the same lines that the brake lines were as I had that left over because I have the Beringer wheels/brakes and those come with a stainless steel brake lines. Oddly enough the nylon break lines are the same size as the adapter to connect the O2 concentrator to the canulas. So this worked out well. For the right angle which you see in the pictures below I used an irrigation drip line with the 90 degrees connection so I didn't bend/pinch the hose. From there I ran it behind the rear bulkhead down through the center console and up into the console where the headsets plug into. The cool thing is the canulas that come with the Aithre have a rubber end that fits directly over the hose that is being run with a very tight seal.
I've used this config in flight up to 15,500 and it works perfectly with two people.
A few things to be aware of with this particular system.
The O2 level control is not remote as you can see with the picture, so you need to set the levels high enough for two people and target the altitudes you commonly will fly at. You also have to be careful when loading the plane not to hit the controller and/or pack too much stuff around it. At some point in time I'll build a cage around the controller to protect it.
The unit has a manual push button to turn on/off the system. Given it's installed in the back and you don't want it running every time you turn the plane on, you need a means for turning it on/off even while in flight. Oddly enough I recalled this really cool Bluetooth remote switch from a while back. It's very easy to install and works perfectly. Basically once installed, you pull out your phone, open up the app, which will connect via Bluetooth where you can turn the system on. Because the Aithre unit does communicate on O2 flow via Bluetooth, once the unit is on, the BT app will report O2 flow to show it's working.
It's also important to note that there is no backup to this system. If for some reason it doesn't fire up when you go to turn it on, or shuts off while in flight you obviously are going to have an issue. So I have to fly with awareness that these are the limitations. I do get audio alerts in my headset from my phone, so I know when the system is on and off.
For the price of this unit it's on par with what two Iogen G5's would run used. So it's pretty close in price enough that I'm good with just this considering I was just going to get four Iogen's. Four Iogens would mean two Aithre systems like this for those doing the math. Then I'd be dealing with all the plugs n' cables and other mess in the cabin. Given it's usually only going to be and one other person this system suits my needs. If I go past two I have a spare Iogen available for a third and if I'm going to a fourth person I'll need to get one more, or borrow one. So it's a good trade off. Would I have liked to have the fully integrated system? Sure. You pay handsomely for it, get a few more features and have a little more control over the air flow. To me this is a good middle ground as long as I understand and adhere to the limitations. The other problem with the full system is it consumes pretty much whatever is left over of the luggage area if you have a parachute. I feel with how I have it configured I've got a lot of flexibility.
For plumbing, I used the same lines that the brake lines were as I had that left over because I have the Beringer wheels/brakes and those come with a stainless steel brake lines. Oddly enough the nylon break lines are the same size as the adapter to connect the O2 concentrator to the canulas. So this worked out well. For the right angle which you see in the pictures below I used an irrigation drip line with the 90 degrees connection so I didn't bend/pinch the hose. From there I ran it behind the rear bulkhead down through the center console and up into the console where the headsets plug into. The cool thing is the canulas that come with the Aithre have a rubber end that fits directly over the hose that is being run with a very tight seal.
I've used this config in flight up to 15,500 and it works perfectly with two people.
A few things to be aware of with this particular system.
The O2 level control is not remote as you can see with the picture, so you need to set the levels high enough for two people and target the altitudes you commonly will fly at. You also have to be careful when loading the plane not to hit the controller and/or pack too much stuff around it. At some point in time I'll build a cage around the controller to protect it.
The unit has a manual push button to turn on/off the system. Given it's installed in the back and you don't want it running every time you turn the plane on, you need a means for turning it on/off even while in flight. Oddly enough I recalled this really cool Bluetooth remote switch from a while back. It's very easy to install and works perfectly. Basically once installed, you pull out your phone, open up the app, which will connect via Bluetooth where you can turn the system on. Because the Aithre unit does communicate on O2 flow via Bluetooth, once the unit is on, the BT app will report O2 flow to show it's working.
It's also important to note that there is no backup to this system. If for some reason it doesn't fire up when you go to turn it on, or shuts off while in flight you obviously are going to have an issue. So I have to fly with awareness that these are the limitations. I do get audio alerts in my headset from my phone, so I know when the system is on and off.
For the price of this unit it's on par with what two Iogen G5's would run used. So it's pretty close in price enough that I'm good with just this considering I was just going to get four Iogen's. Four Iogens would mean two Aithre systems like this for those doing the math. Then I'd be dealing with all the plugs n' cables and other mess in the cabin. Given it's usually only going to be and one other person this system suits my needs. If I go past two I have a spare Iogen available for a third and if I'm going to a fourth person I'll need to get one more, or borrow one. So it's a good trade off. Would I have liked to have the fully integrated system? Sure. You pay handsomely for it, get a few more features and have a little more control over the air flow. To me this is a good middle ground as long as I understand and adhere to the limitations. The other problem with the full system is it consumes pretty much whatever is left over of the luggage area if you have a parachute. I feel with how I have it configured I've got a lot of flexibility.
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