EX2000 oxygen filler

**loydb** · 12-22-2011, 06:07 AM

You could also use small claim court.

**schmoinkel** · 12-24-2011, 08:36 AM

I ended up having the same experience as billygoat. Mine kept wearing out about every 9-12 months and they ended up telling me they would not honor the warranty. Evidently these machines are only built to fill about two tanks a week, witch I was never told when buying, and are not supposed to be used full time.

Looking to get a Homefill.

......bleh...

**Waffles** · 12-24-2011, 09:53 AM

I'm working on converting a devilbliss iFill, just got to fix leaks and then I think it will work. I'll post pics soon

**CoreysCollectables** · 03-19-2012, 10:49 PM

A little back story. I was in search for a way to fill my tanks just like everyone else browsing these forums. I had done extensive research in to what type of system would best suit my needs. After many, many hours of reading and researching this topic, I concluded that converting a Homefill unit was my best option. And so I started my search. Naturally I turned to craigslist. Weeding thru the mess of private sellers, I found OxygenTech. A real professional in the field. Helping him discover the untapped potential for his refurbished oxygen equipment, he went on to creating an account here to share the news. There's a new place in town to get your Oxygen.

As a glass artist, there are really only a few major places to get an oxygen concentrator or compressor. They are all refurbished units sold as new. The only way to get an absolutely new unit is to have a medical perspiration. Lucky for us, we aren't breathing this stuff, we're burning it! So a used unit will do. But then the question truly is, "How used?", and "Who refurbished it?".

This is where I will give OxygenTech and his company my full recommendation. Not only was he very polite in answering any questions I had over the phone, his customer service in person was outstanding! He was happy to open up both Invacare units to show me how they worked, what commonly goes wrong, and how to do basic maintenance. He went thru the machines to get me the one's with the lowest hours... (Homefill: 38 hours! and the Platinum 5: 2200 hours) Each of these units are rated for so much more: Homefill:5000h and P5:50,000h. He even tossed in the hoses, the stand, and a couple extra filters to keep me going. All in all, OxygenTech and his team are total professionals that stand behind their products.

I can feel confident in my purchase because I know that in a couple of years, when I need some parts for servicing my units, or have any questions in the meantime, OxygenTech and his team will be there for me. After the experience I had at his warehouse today, I can highly recommend that you get your oxygen equipment from someone who services and maintains these units on a daily basis! There is no aftermarket reseller that has the insider knowledge that OxygenTech does.

I cannot say Thank You enough! OxygenTech listened to my needs and concerns, and addressed them all. From the professionalism to the customer service, OxygenTech and his team are simply the best. Make the right choice, get your oxygen equipment from someone that cares about you. Private Message OxygenTech today!

He has a thread here:
http://www.talkglass.com/forum/showt...727#post657727

Much love and many blessings,
Corey M.

www.CoreysCollectables.com

**CoreysCollectables** · 03-20-2012, 03:29 PM

I would like to take this moment to thank MetalBone and others for doing such in depth research on the Homefill systems. After reading these threads, I went on to find and build my own Homefill system. This is how I met OxygenTech. But without your research, I would still be looking at the EX2000! So, Thank You a million times over. I know this thread and others like it are a serious help to our fellow glass artists. You have done a great service to the community! Keep up the good work.

I will post more on the development of my system as soon as I get the manifold in place. Thanks again!

Oh, and BTW Metalbone: did you know that there is a 20psi output on the back panel, bottom right on the Platinum 5. It looks like a service port or drain! The hookup in front is for the patient to breath while their bottles are being filled. Just thought you should know since I saw your pics with the hose coming out of the front.

Much love and many blessings,
~ Corey M.

www.coreyscollectables.com

**drew1492** · 03-20-2012, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by CoreysCollectables

Oh, and BTW Metalbone: did you know that there is a 20psi output on the back panel, bottom right on the Platinum 5. It looks like a service port or drain! The hookup in front is for the patient to breath while their bottles are being filled. Just thought you should know since I saw your pics with the hose coming out of the front.

Much love and many blessings,
~ Corey M.

www.coreyscollectables.com

The pressure does not stay high when you fill out of the back. You get the same pressure either way. You can get more if you crank up the regulator on the inside of the oxy con and get better fill rates.

**CoreysCollectables** · 03-20-2012, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by drew1492

The pressure does not stay high when you fill out of the back. You get the same pressure either way. You can get more if you crank up the regulator on the inside of the oxy con and get better fill rates.

This may be true, but it lowers the purity. In turn lowers the heat delivered and does not create suitable flame atmosphere for working delicate colors, or cranking on production. Fill tanks on homefill out the back port, and use a national hand torch off the front. The system was designed to be use this way. The front port won't deliver more than 5psi continuous at low volume, the back delivers 20psi with a fluctuated volume. This is ok, because you are using a Homefill unit. Don't put your torch on the back port, you will see your flame breathe because you are asking for more volume than the Oxycon can deliver. It's not a lack of pressure, it's a lack of volume.

**drew1492** · 03-21-2012, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by CoreysCollectables

This may be true, but it lowers the purity. In turn lowers the heat delivered and does not create suitable flame atmosphere for working delicate colors, or cranking on production. Fill tanks on homefill out the back port, and use a national hand torch off the front. The system was designed to be use this way. The front port won't deliver more than 5psi continuous at low volume, the back delivers 20psi with a fluctuated volume. This is ok, because you are using a Homefill unit. Don't put your torch on the back port, you will see your flame breathe because you are asking for more volume than the Oxycon can deliver. It's not a lack of pressure, it's a lack of volume.

What is your logic behind this?

The front output has a much larger holding tank. If the homefill can only take so much volume per cycle and if there is backpressure against the holdingtank you can sustain much higher pressures with this method. If only 2.5 lpm is being used by the homefill how will purity be lowered?

I have used both on a nortel and a gtt and noticed no difference

**CoreysCollectables** · 03-23-2012, 03:44 AM

When I had talked with OxygenTech in person, he opened up the machines for me and taught me a few things. He told me to increase the pressure output to adjust the Allen screw between the sieve beds. His logic was that when there is more air moving thru the sieve beds at a faster rate, it hasn't had enough time to soak. Therefor leaving more nitrogen in the output. Thus meaning less pure. The Homefill will give the O2 below alarm when the purity was less than 88 or 90%. I forget which, but it's somewhere in there. You may have decreased the purity but not enough for the homefill to notice.

My analysis on the flame characteristics was purely based on the reading of many others around the internet forums. I have not owned my system long enough to give you a true first hand experience. I will be testing many theories out over the next few months. Hopefully I won't notice much of a difference in my working times or flame characteristics as I switch from Freshly Bottled Oxy from the Oxy Man to a Homefill. I will keep you posted as things develop with my filling system.

**cade** · 04-11-2012, 05:05 PM

I bought the EX-2000 2 years ago..broke the first day...was just an exterior plastic part that hooks onto the outside of the condenser for the air line..they sent me the piece in the mail..ran great for 4 mo...than the belt in the compressor broke...sent me the belt in the mail. ran great for 1 yr.

Now the compressor seized up and my concentrator is smoking... it's still within warranty but I am being told By extreme oxygen..
"I spoke with Paul about your machine and it will have to be sent in for repair. The EX-2000 (Black Box) has to be sent to the factory for repair and if it is found to be a normal wear item it will not be covered under the warranty. We have found that most repairs not covered under the Factory warranty the charge is around $600.00 to fix. You will need to send it back to us. I would recommend sending it via USPS because they are usually the cheapest. Just be sure to pack it really well. "

Thanks,

Michelle

Paul Ridgeway
Extreme Oxygen Products
P.O. Box 1944
Martinsville, IN 46151
PH: 765-315-0333

REALLY!!??!! NORMAL WEAR is NOT covered? wtf is this?..if i threw it in the ocean or dropped it would it be covered....

I would like to add that I babied this machine.....rarley filled all the way...most times only 1/2 way... and maybe 2-3 tanks a week....

DO NOT BUY from EO....they rarely answer the phone, they NEVER! call back if there is an issue. I'm starting on my homefill...

**cade** · 04-11-2012, 05:08 PM

and WTF!! extreme oxygen is the manufacturer of this machine...what "FACTORY" are they referring to?

**Aussie** · 04-12-2012, 04:40 AM

Originally Posted by cade

DO NOT BUY from EO....they rarely answer the phone, they NEVER! call back if there is an issue. I'm starting on my homefill...

I had issues with Unlimited Oxygen. My homefill from them was never right since the day it arrived here and it was a freaking nightmare dealing with them from Australia, took long response times and then when the replacement part finally arrived, they had sent me the wrong part, even though I had sent them detailed images of what I requires. There was more, but I won't go into it. Suffice it to say that if I'd relied on UO instead of my own resourcefulness, I would have had a 3 month wait to get the unit up to scratch.
Anyway ... nightmare, nightmare, nightmare!
Admittedly, though, the concentrator that came with my EX2000 is all good and I've had no problems, just with the pump and the company itself.

I just saw that EO is Paul Ridgeway ... UO is Jack Ridgeway ... could they possibly be related? Ya think?

Originally Posted by cade

and WTF!! extreme oxygen is the manufacturer of this machine...what "FACTORY" are they referring to?

No, they do not manufacture these machines. I'm pretty sure they don't even reco them, but get them from another place, put stickers and a whip on them and just make sure it all hooks together and supposedly test that it all works. I'm pretty sure that UO works that way. The units they use are Invacare units (you can verify by ripping off the UO labels) which are deemed no longer suitable for medical use. The "factory" they refer to is undoubtedly where these machines go after they've been used and where they supposedly check them for faults and reco them if they need it.

Whatever the case may be, I would not recommend going down this road, you can get better and cheaper elsewhere.

When I think of my experience with UO, I always get this smell in my nose like I just stepped in a dogturd.

**Aussie** · 04-12-2012, 04:47 AM

Also, their hour counters are blacked out, so you can't see how many hours are on your particular units ...

**cade** · 04-23-2012, 01:23 PM

Yeah I see that now...bah what a joke...I sent my compressor out to Extreme Oxygen. If they take care of me, I'll recant and let you guys know. Cost me $88 to send priority mail USPS from HI. If I don't start filling tanks soon my family is going to be in a tight situation for a bit.
Good thing is, now I know alot more information about the compressors and concentrators thanks to people like Metalbone who openly share their knowledge. Once I get ahead I'll start locating back up units so I won't miss a beat if one goes down.

**wagon** · 05-26-2012, 12:23 AM

Originally Posted by Aussie

I had issues with Unlimited Oxygen. My homefill from them was never right since the day it arrived here and it was a freaking nightmare dealing with them from Australia, took long response times and then when the replacement part finally arrived, they had sent me the wrong part, even though I had sent them detailed images of what I requires. There was more, but I won't go into it. Suffice it to say that if I'd relied on UO instead of my own resourcefulness, I would have had a 3 month wait to get the unit up to scratch.
Anyway ... nightmare, nightmare, nightmare!
Admittedly, though, the concentrator that came with my EX2000 is all good and I've had no problems, just with the pump and the company itself.

I just saw that EO is Paul Ridgeway ... UO is Jack Ridgeway ... could they possibly be related? Ya think?

No, they do not manufacture these machines. I'm pretty sure they don't even reco them, but get them from another place, put stickers and a whip on them and just make sure it all hooks together and supposedly test that it all works. I'm pretty sure that UO works that way. The units they use are Invacare units (you can verify by ripping off the UO labels) which are deemed no longer suitable for medical use. The "factory" they refer to is undoubtedly where these machines go after they've been used and where they supposedly check them for faults and reco them if they need it.

Whatever the case may be, I would not recommend going down this road, you can get better and cheaper elsewhere.

When I think of my experience with UO, I always get this smell in my nose like I just stepped in a dogturd.

Couldn't agree more ^.

I also had a horrific experience with UO. Do NOT deal with them EVER. I'd rather haul k tankers from airgas for the rest of my life than deal with them again. Obviously a homefill is anyones best option, but I was young and dumb at the time and hadn't even heard of homefills.

I paid for 3 M-20s up front to get a good deal. Only two showed up. One of which arrived broken. The 3rd never showed up..... Had to call PayPal and throw a huge fit to get my money back for the one I never received. I just let the broken one go... UO has horrific business ethics. So does UPS...

Had to go over the head of UO to their supplier (Glenn Medical Systems) to track down the broken piece (a plastic regulator) after I had stripped down the machine. UO claimed they couldn't get them in stock... or that that they were waiting on a shipment or some BS. 6 week shipment for crucially important parts you should have on deck just doesn't add up... Wasn't hard to find their supplier, since the machines UO shipped me came in huge boxes labeled "Glenn Medical Systems". Worst part was Glenn MS almost didn't send me the part I needed due to the whole oxygen prescription taboo. I literally had to beg over the phone... and they did help me thankfully

Waited patiently, for 6 weeks for my 3rd concentrator to arrive. Called weekly for updates...

UO pleaded with me for 6-7 weeks claiming all was well, and that my 3rd concentrator was actually on it's way, (more like my 2nd concentrator since the originally 2nd one arrived broken). In reality it had never shipped, and they were just using that money to cover the rest of their business losses. I'm too lazy to report them to the better business bureau and would rather just try to help others on this forum before they get screwed like I did.

They're in a humungous negative cashflow loop. Kinda like quick sand. Absolutely DO NOT LET THEM PLAY YOU! They live off raping people, since they essentially have raped themselves financially with an extremely foolish business idea.

I will go out of my medicated way to type out a post like this anytime an established business (claiming to be legit) is raping innocent one loving glass blowers.

Thank the universe that PayPal is so legit about getting your money back from sketchy sellers.

Just my 2 cents.

Get the k's on deck. rig em together in a low pres. setup. do the homefill. and live like a thug.

One Love. and Screw UO!

**wagon** · 05-26-2012, 12:35 AM

Originally Posted by byron3

Well at least someone else saw the elephant in the room, good call schmoinkel.

Couple of thought right off the top of my head.

If you get to keep the 20' metal cargo container that it comes in, that is a hell of a deal. Just cut out a place to weld a metal door in, some ventilation and electricity and it will be worth every penny you pay for freight.

I still offer to duplicate this system for $2000.00 and for the other $650.00 (where do you live?) I might even deliver this system. I will hook it up, fill your first tank and even smile when we part.

How many oxy tanks do you own?
What type of environment do you plan on using this in?
You are aware that this equipment is designed to run in a climate controlled environment. Compressor needs between 50 - 95 F @ 20 - 60 % relative humidity.

Andrew do you need a manifold tutorial now?

Probably funniest post I ever read lol. + Rep Byron.

If you read through this entire thread, you'll see that that kid's EX2000 crapped out multiple times throughout a few years, and the company he got it from isn't honoring the 3 year warranty they advertised.

Absolutely soooo ironic, that you offered to save the kid more than $2k before the fact, and that no advice was heeded what so ever. rotf

Just goes to show that all us glassblowers have to operate on a frugal mindset if we want our shops to get anywhere. The costly shit adds up so fast it's just ridiculous if you don't do everything the right way, the first time.

**wagon** · 05-26-2012, 12:42 AM

Threads always reveal the truth in due time. I love it. One Love

**Greymatter Glass** · 05-26-2012, 11:19 AM

Well, this is good information to have. I have a customer trying to get me to call around and find an EX2000 or similar system. I've told him it's not worth it - he uses 1500-1700 scf of oxygen per week, these systems cannot supply that quantity long term....

**cade** · 05-31-2012, 01:49 PM

After a month of having my compressor Extreme Oxygen finally replied to one of my emails. Apperantly in 7-10 business days EO should be recieving my "new" compressor. We shall see what happens.

**707glass** · 07-27-2012, 03:17 PM

I have also been told my ex-2000 is worn out and I may have to pay $600 to get it fixed even though it is 2 years into a 3 year warranty. I see I am not the only one with this experience. I have only filled 50 tanks on my machine, I have sent it in 5 times paying $75 shipping each time. The fixes were very sloppy, the fan cage came back bent with screws that rattle, the lights on the machine were blocked and covered and they sent me an old grey computer cord because they lost my brand new ex-2000 cord (and didn't tell me. I sent it in with the brand new box that it was shipped in(like they asked), it came back in a old box falling apart with package peanuts falling out everywhere. The machine was even broken when it first arrived at my place. I did not get to fill my first tank until 6 months after I bought it. The fixes usually take 1 to 2 months if your lucky.
Extreme Oxygen in my experience is an example of how NOT to run a company. They have lied to me many times about fixing the machine on time and telling me Paul will call me and that he is out of town. He won't call me and they will not answer their phone anymore. I was always polite and patient on the phone. Avoid this company!