There are some confusing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) policies that are affecting traveling for some portable oxygen concentrator users (POCs) having to do with the lithium-ion batteries. Part of the issue is airlines are inconsistent in applying the policy.
The lithium-ion battery regulations do not specifically address POCs. The issue is the Watt-hours of the batteries, which is usually listed on the battery as Wh. There is no problem bringing batteries that do not exceed 100 Watt-hours. If a battery is over 100 and under 160 Watt-hours you are allowed to bring one battery attached to the device and two additional, individually protected, batteries with permission of the operator.
While most POCs are not affected by the lithium-ion battery regulation, a few are and we go into detail about them below.
Sequal Eclipse The most affected POC is Caire’s Sequal Eclipse. This POC, in it’s various versions, has been listed as FAA approved. There is only one battery for the Eclipse 5 and it is listed as having two 98.9 Wh batteries in the same casing. Caire says the double battery, or power cartridge, contains two electrically isolated battery packs with isolated safety circuitry, thus complying with FAA regulations. However, some airlines are saying these batteries are 197.8 Wh. Unfortunately, this double battery is the only one available for the Eclipse.
 G5, Rove 6 and Next Similarly, the Inogen G5 and Rove 6, and OxyGo Next are also affected, however, it is just their largest battery. Their double, or extended, battery is presented in the same format as Caire, as two 92.2 Wh. Some airlines are saying these batteries are really 184.4 Wh. The single batteries are fine as they are under 100 Wh.
S3, S4 and Mini Rhythm S3 and S4, and Arya Mini also have an issue with their largest battery in that you can only bring three of them with the carrier’s permission. Their largest battery is over 100 and under 160 Wh.
We have been researching the currently manufactured POC batteries to get their Watt-hours and have updated our comparison chart. There are only two that we have been unable to get information for and they are both by Belluscura.
The airlines have been inconsistent with these battery regulations. Delta has a specific “no double battery” rule. We want people to be aware so that they aren’t caught off guard, or can make other arrangements if their POCs are affected.
We are working with other organizations to bring this issue to the attention of the FAA. Hopefully they will add additional guidance that the separated batteries do comply with the regulations. |
This Blog was published by runningonair.org
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