Age of cells when purchasing

M

moose_grunt

Member
This week I purchased a new cell to put into rotation from one of the big internet distributors, only to receive a 6/15 manufactured cell. I was taught to expect 12-18 months of reliable service from date of manufacture of the cell, not from when the bag was opened (which means that my 3 month old cell will be 21 months old when it hits the rotation cycle again). I'm not particularly trying to start a debate about cell rotation, or even when the cell life expectancy count starts. I'm wondering whether it is usual to purchase new cells and receive ones that were manufactured 3 months ago. Is this normal, and it's not realistic to expect 0-1 month old cells? Or should I contact the store and request either a newer cell or a refund? Am I just being pedantic about cell dates?

Thanks,
Jim
 
I don't think you are being pedantic. Up here in the frozen north it is even worse. So I have taken to ordering a new cell fro N@90 ever six months or so. Although it seems counter intuitive the mail between England and Canada is much better than between Canada and the USA.

Because N@90 has a big customer base and are great to deal with I get cells that are usualy only a few weeks old. Best I can do.

Peter
 
The higher the turnover rate from the supplier, the fresher the cells will be. But it also depends on the freshness from the manufacturer. I think the Subgravity/Dive Addicts folks have pretty good control of both ends, and their automatic purchase option will be delivering me a fresh cell every 6 months. I would be surprised if the manufacture date was more than 1 month.


iPhone. iTypo. iApologize.
 
I'm confused, 3 months old, only means manufacturer warranty is 9 months (left) ((as they go from date of manufacture))

Otherwise on a 1 year rotation, that cell is only 1 year and 3 months old. Well within 2 years from manufacture.

I dont see the problem.
 
You understand that the cells being hermetically sealed, once the O2 is used up, no further oxidation takes place until you break the seal, right? In other words, what matters is the date you break the seal, not the date of manufacture ( to the extent that the cell is kept safely).
 
uwxplorer said:
You understand that the cells being hermetically sealed, once the O2 is used up, no further oxidation takes place until you break the seal, right? In other words, what matters is the date you break the seal, not the date of manufacture ( to the extent that the cell is kept safely).
Click to expand...

Not all cells are in air tight packaging. And they still age even in sealed packages.

The ones I get from ISC are within about a month of manufacture, although a June 30th 2015 cell sold on Oct 1, 2015 is between 3 and 5 months old. This seems "a bit" old but not necessarily excessively so. What brand cell is it?
 
uwxplorer said:
You understand that the cells being hermetically sealed, once the O2 is used up, no further oxidation takes place until you break the seal, right? In other words, what matters is the date you break the seal, not the date of manufacture ( to the extent that the cell is kept safely).
Click to expand...

Here we go again....

http://www.diverite.com/education/rebreather/tips/oxygensensorlife/

http://rebreatherpro.typepad.com/Oxygen Sensors for use in rebreathers - release V1.pdf

Bottom line is that there are more components in a cell than just the O2 reactant, and they age even in a sealed bag. And the quality of the sealed bag is questionable as well. They should be treated as if their useful life is 12-24 months from the date of manufacture whether they are in the original bag, the rebreather, a bag filled with argon, or your freezer. Stories abound about cells that were still in their original bag after 18 months, but were dead after opening the bag. And if you really think what you posted is true, then I dare you to take some brand new cells in their original bags and place them under water for a few months. Are you going to trust that sealed bag?
 
Sure...I am just saying that there is probably no reason to feel shortchanged when receiving a 4 month "old" cell.
 
Everybody who wants to get rid of his 3-4 month old cells that are still in the bag can have my adres by PM. I 'm glad to help, no need for you to pay to the waist company !


Sent by my rEvo scrubber using a shearwater Nerd
 
kwinter said:
Here we go again....
Click to expand...

I was honestly trying to *not* have that discussion, and focus more on how old/new a cell should be when you order one. I just wanted to know what the norm was. It seems that most people expect to get cells with around a 1 month old manufacture date.

Am I disappointed with ordering a cell in October and getting a June manufacture date? Yes. Enough to raise a stink about it with the distributor I bought it from? No. I'll use it as planned, but let my money talk by ordering my next cells from elsewhere.

Jim
 
moose_grunt said:
Am I disappointed with ordering a cell in October and getting a June manufacture date? Yes. Enough to raise a stink about it with the distributor I bought it from? No. I'll use it as planned, but let my money talk by ordering my next cells from elsewhere.
Click to expand...

Seems reasonable, this is what I would do too. At least for my pretty standard cells. If you needed something exotic I think you might want to lower your expectations/bar.
 
While I will not go on about how young a cell should be when you first purchase it, consider this..... If you expect a cell that is less than a month old also expect some long delays when you order your cells. Its a supply and demand thing.
 
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