Cheap Analysers/Sensors

[NotDeadYet]

Originally Posted by AirAssisted

Stu, can you post some more details pleeeeeeeeease.

What would you like to know?

[Finless]

Originally Posted by NotDeadYet

They will be tested using a Teledyne R17D sensor but will come without a sensor or battery (PP3 9V).

I didn't want to include the sensors as there are various options (Teledyne, IT-Wismar, Carnet Medical, Analytical) with various prices. I can post the various manufacturer's part nos and contact details (and rough prices). Sensors are the weak link in any analyser too so I didn't want to be responsible for supplying a dodgy sensor.

And tantrums by anyone won't do any good!!! Beer might though

Is there likely to be any discount in buying in bulk (if 25/30 sensors = bulk?). I wouldn't know the difference between one sensor and another as I've never used them before. I would assume that the ones used in the Inspiration must be good otherwise they wouldn't be in the unit?

Advice from YBODers might be useful now.

[AirAssisted]

Originally Posted by NotDeadYet

What would you like to know?

What do they cost?

[NotDeadYet]

Originally Posted by AirAssisted

What do they cost?

Current cost is looking in the region of £35-40 once I work out what I've spent. That was on a batch of 25 LCD displays from the US. I could get a UK supplied meter but the US ones are perfect for analysers with minimal faffing.

Doing a small batch would push the price up. For example just ordering a batch of 5 displays would push the cost of them up by about 25%. The display is the main expense, the rest of the parts I can source in the UK and only cost a few pounds per analyser.

Is there likely to be any discount in buying in bulk (if 25/30 sensors = bulk?). I wouldn't know the difference between one sensor and another as I've never used them before. I would assume that the ones used in the Inspiration must be good otherwise they wouldn't be in the unit?

Advice from YBODers might be useful now

The analysers are designed for the Teledyne R17D ($65US from Oxycheq or loads from Vandagraph) which is exactly the same as the R22D used in the Desperation apart from the connector: the R17D uses a standard 3.5mm mono jack plug. Everything else is the same.

Carnet Medical do an equivalent for £40 + VAT. This however is a medical sensor, OK for analysers but won't work in a rebreather as it does not have a hydrophobic membrane (as far as I know but may mistaken).

IT-Wismar are German made sensors. The D-01 is the R17D equivalent officially distributed in the UK by Omni Products for £26. Don't buy from the guy on Ebay, he charges more than Omni does. I have heard varying reports on their reliability. Some people rave about them, others hate them.

Analytical Industries do a R17D equivalent but I think the Teledyne is superior. For my money, I go with Teledyne. Vandagraph will do a bulk discount if you hassle them enough on Teledyne sensors.

I will supply the analysers with a 3.5mm jack connector. If you want to use them with Inspiration sensors then you can just cut the connector off and splice in a Molex plug (available from Oxycheq for peanuts). They will all be tested on one of my Teledyne sensors before I send it out.

For the people who wanted rebreather displays, I will supply the board with just a couple of plain wires so you can attach whatever connection you fancy.

Cheers,

Stuart

[Finless]

Originally Posted by NotDeadYet

Current cost is looking in the region of £35-40 once I work out what I've spent. That was on a batch of 25 LCD displays from the US. I could get a UK supplied meter but the US ones are perfect for analysers with minimal faffing.


Doing a small batch would push the price up. For example just ordering a batch of 5 displays would push the cost of them up by about 25%. The display is the main expense, the rest of the parts I can source in the UK and only cost a few pounds per analyser.



The analysers are designed for the Teledyne R17D ($65US from Oxycheq or loads from Vandagraph) which is exactly the same as the R22D used in the Desperation apart from the connector: the R17D uses a standard 3.5mm mono jack plug. Everything else is the same.

Carnet Medical do an equivalent for £40 + VAT. This however is a medical sensor, OK for analysers but won't work in a rebreather as it does not have a hydrophobic membrane (as far as I know but may mistaken).

IT-Wismar are German made sensors. The D-01 is the R17D equivalent officially distributed in the UK by Omni Products for £26. Don't buy from the guy on Ebay, he charges more than Omni does. I have heard varying reports on their reliability. Some people rave about them, others hate them.

Analytical Industries do a R17D equivalent but I think the Teledyne is superior. For my money, I go with Teledyne. Vandagraph will do a bulk discount if you hassle them enough on Teledyne sensors.

I will supply the analysers with a 3.5mm jack connector. If you want to use them with Inspiration sensors then you can just cut the connector off and splice in a Molex plug (available from Oxycheq for peanuts). They will all be tested on one of my Teledyne sensors before I send it out.

For the people who wanted rebreather displays, I will supply the board with just a couple of plain wires so you can attach whatever connection you fancy.

Cheers,

Stuart

I would just like to check that this thing will show if I'm over the Drink/Drive limit?

[NotDeadYet]

Absolutely. Breathe on it andif it doesn't melt then you are fine.

[Simon Ciantar]

Hi i would be interested in one mate, but would the total cost be including the sensor ?

[narked at 90]

see what your've started now stuart!!

ive just got some displays LED which are prefect for anolizers that are £12
no fafing!!
john

[Finless]

I PMed Nigel H to see if he had any advice on O2 cells :-



If several of you are buying Oxycheque is cheap but postage from the USA and possibly getting hammered for VAT+Duty make it daft for one offs. He also does data numbers. Go for a short time constant (3-8 seconds). Super quick puts the price up and the life expectancy down and slow never seems to settle.

Are you aware that O2 cells fail by current limiting? That is they have a maximum reading. The simple check is to calibrate on 100% and then read air. If air reads high it's on it's way out.

A final one is humidity correction. Not often a problem in the UK but I made this spread sheet.

Can't think of much else on analysers.

nigelH

[NotDeadYet]

I got my Teledyne cells from Oxycheq because I was getting other stuff from Patrick too. Including postage it came to about £43 a sensor and I didn't get hit by duty charges. It's the cell they use in the El Cheapo analyser kit so it is a fairly good value sensor.

The R17D cell is more or less the same as the R17VAN used in the Vandagraph VN202 analyser (not sure if the VAN cell is RB compatible, that's why I went to Oxycheq). So it may be worthwhile getting in touch with Vandagraph for a bulk order. Or drop DeltaP a line as I think the R17D cell is what is used in the Ouroboros RB.

I'd reckon any cell that has an output between 9-15mV will work with it, just a case of fitting a new connection.

Other than that, it is just personal preference as to what you get.