Mailing List Archive Mailing List Archive
Greetings! If you are using a standard MiniOx to measure your O2, w/ or w/o a flow controler (espically w/o) then 2% +/- is well within the devices error. Actually, if you calibrate at 0, 21, or 100 (the most common I've seen) you can say +/- 1% if you're within 4% of the calibration point. So the only ranges that you are assured of a measurement are 0-4, 17-25, 96-100 You are not assured of being within anything outside of those ranges. In point of fact, you can be out by as much as 4% if you measure at 40% - a not uncommon measurement. Thats because galvanic fuel cell sensors are not linear throughout their range. ---------- It would seem to me that a 2% discrepency in a nitrox mix is virtually irrelevant for practical intents and purposes. Considering the shallow depths nitrox dives are conducted and the variances between individuals with respect to their individual tolerances to increased O2 partial pressures, I personally won't worry about it. For example, If I take a nitrox tank ( i know the gases have diffused very quickly and my mixture is homogeneous ) get a reading of "somewhere" between 30% and 35% O2 and... heck I'm going diving. My max depth will be consistant with the "standard" EANx mixtures, but I won't be splitting hairs (read counting exact fsw). I will perform my usual conservative deco, but again not counting the seconds with respect to any one given gas mixture. I do recognize that 2% becomes important on say a trimix or heliox dive to 400 fsw or maybe even when the nitrox is used as a deco gas after a long and deep exposures at increased ppO2's, but thats not the type of diving I understand from reading this thread.
Navigate by Author:
[Previous]
[Next]
[Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject:
[Previous]
[Next]
[Subject Search Index]
[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]
[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]