Concerns with new BiPAP purchase

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 5:49 am

Good News first: I finally got my new Remstar BiPAP Auto!!!!
I bought the "classic tank". I opened it, feeling like it was a Christmas present.

But... some issues have me concerned. If you move the unit gently, (tilting it from one side to the other) there is a 'thunk' sound like something is shifting inside. That same 'thunk' sound occurs whenever the start button is pressed. This is not normal right? It seems to work ok, and there are no error messages, although I've only used it for 3 hours. Otherwise it is very quiet!

I inspected the box it was shipped in, and there were no obvious signs of any impact damage caused by UPS. The humidifier tank might have a slight leak around the seal, but I have swapped the metal base part with one from my rental unit, and I'll test it again tonight.

I don't mind buying another tank locally anyway. It is the thought that this noise might mean my BiPAP may develop problems, later on, that is raising my already high blood pressure. I also picked up my fathers ashes today, so I am a bit down at the moment. Sometimes I have to give myself a strong mental kick in the backside; as a reminder of how lucky I am, and that others are far worse off than me.

Anyway... I thought I'd ask for your opinions / experience? I could host a short video/audio clip if that would help?

offlineon · Post by **offlineon** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 5:53 am

Hello.. was timed out and although logged in, showed up as "guest"

mattman · Post by **mattman** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:40 am

I would DEFINATELY contact your DME company and have them switch that unit out. There shouldn't be anything "thunking" or rattling around inside the unit.
Just give them a call and they'll switch it out. Not sure why they shipped it to you instead of hand-delivering it. They should be able to just send someone to your home to switch it out.

mattman

offlineon · Post by **offlineon** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 7:58 am

Thanks for the reply. I bought it from the U.S., and had it shipped down under. Swapping it, if necessary, is therefore problematic.

-edit-

I've emailed cpap.com to see what they say.

DME Daddy · Post by **DME Daddy** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 8:59 am

Good news Offlinon. Your machine has a valve in it that switches from IPAP to EPAP and back. This valve will move and make a noise/vibfration when the machine is off and it is shaken. This is normal and causes no harm. When the machine is first turned on, the valve is rapidly moved and will sometimes make a noise/vibration. After it has run for a few seconds the valve will move but will be quiet. This machine has a great reputation and all of them do what yours does.

In other words... You choose well..Relax and get some rest.

offlineon · Post by **offlineon** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 10:38 am

DME Daddy.... thank you!!!!!!!!

The stress I was feeling just melted away. BTW I have never shaken the unit.. just tilted it as I was unpacking it. This baby gets the kid gloves treatment. After the "thunk" it seems as quiet as the brand new C/Flex Auto I just returned to my local DME.

My first DME rental unit was an old and much abused classic Rem-star Auto. This did not put me off; rather it impressed the hell out of me about the durability of the unit. Because of that, and mainly lurking around here reading some of the posts, I decided that the "tank" was the way to go, and cpap.com was the place to buy. This was never just to save money - the Bi-flex Auto is unavailable in Aussie land and the "M" C/Flex has only just arrived in limited supplies (perhaps because of the problems)

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