Cape Westy & Ditto
Cape Cod MA
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Joined: 09/04/2003
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I use an oxygen concentrator while camping and we noticed in our last RV, a class C, the foam in all of the seats and the over the cab mattress deteriorated rather quickly. I'm wondering if it is due to the concentrator. We always leave a window or vent cracked open a little for fresh air which is hard when trying to run the AC or heat.
Does anyone know if the concentrator is bad for the interior, I would like to hear from users.
Also, I'm now waiting for a new concentrator that is supposed to be more efficient. Right now it is costing us $70.00 a month to run this one! We have a very high electric rate here. I also want one that is shorter than the 25" one I have now so it will fit under our table, the only place I have for it.
Thanks in advance,
Cape Westy
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dmartin@newarts.com
Ames, IA
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Joined: 02/13/2004
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An oxygen concentrator shouldn't cause any problems (unless the output hose is directed within a 1/2" or so on an especially sensitive material or flame.)
The heat generated by the concentrator is much more likely to cause damage than the oxygen.
This is because the oxygen concentrator does not create oxygen. It just pulls some oxygen from the air and puts exactly the same amount out the hose. The total oxygen content of the room is not affected by the concentrator's running.
If anything the room's total oxygen decreases a little bit because you are breathing in a little more of it than you would without the concentrator, but this effect is small.
1980 Born Free 22' Class C (minus) - 1985 Honda Scooter
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avan
Sioux Falls, SD & Livingston,TX
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Joined: 11/02/2002
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Have not noticed any problems of the type you describe. You're looking for a more compact model - DW's is the Sequal Eclipse and it is just under 20" tall, works off AC/battery and with a cig. lighter adapter.
Click for more pics of our FT home, our snowbird digs and our summer trips
The puller - International 4700LP (530E) - Wiers Towmaster; Trailer-Saver Air Hitch
The pusher - 40' Travel Supreme Fifth
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Cape Westy & Ditto
Cape Cod MA
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Joined: 09/04/2003
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Avan,
Does the concentrator she uses have an alarm on it? I have to sleep with it and I am required to have an alarm in case of power failure.
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dllfo
Sacramento, CA
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Joined: 02/12/2005
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I have heard of ozone causing problems with rubber, but not oxygen.
I sleep with a Concentrator and Ventilator. No problems at home or in the RV. The longest I have used it at one time is about 6 weeks. I used oxygen a lot in the Air Force and never heard of your problem.
Good luck with it.
2002 Monaco Diplomat 38PST
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avan
Sioux Falls, SD & Livingston,TX
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Yes to the alarm. It also has a the feature (if you can use pulse) that if you don't breathe often enough or deep enough on pulse, it switches to continuous. We're FTers and it has changed our living style for the better. Before the Eclipse we had the older big ac only concentrator. It was always in the way. When we traveled I had to secure it so it wouldn't damage anything and, of course, since it was ac, it was not usable for her in the truck while on the road. We needed to switch to bottles (and all that means exchanging empties on the road).
The Eclipse is small, quiet and runs much cooler. It's not in the way. It can be in the same room with you without being disruptive to a conversation and it doesn't distort thermostat readings interfering with our air cond. or furnace settings. When we're on the highway, it's easy to put in the back seat of the truck and plug into the cig lighter. Short trips to the grocery store etc., it just runs on the battery. And since it is compliant with most airline requirements, it has made air travel a breeze.
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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what L rating do you need? if less than 5/4/3 there are lots available out there.
bumpy
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Pitapony
Out There Somewhere
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Joined: 03/11/2002
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Before my LVRS, I was on O2 24/7 and have an Invacare Homefill concentrator in my washer/dryer closet of the RV. When it was running, we kept the closet doors open for ventilation. I was able to fill my own portables with the compressor that we kept on a shelf in the bedroom closet that backed up to the w/d closet. We are full-timers so that concentrator was running all the time...not just on vacations or weekends. Make sure that while it's under the table, it's not against the wall or anything.
I agree with the others that the concentrator should cause no deterioration to anything in the MH. Cooking heat and sunlight could be the cause of your problem.
COPD and LVRS
On the Road Again
Our Home - 2002 Glendale Titanium, 32/37DS
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