Not getting much pressure??

[mp0510]

I've had my CPAP for about 3 years. I use a Fiskell full face mask and just replaced the headgear.

For about the past 6 months, it seems the CPAP doesn't have nearly as much pressure as it used to.

It almost feels like the fan inside is getting old or dirty and can't push enough air.

Is there a way to blow out or clean the airway (in the unit, not the hose) so it can blow harder and build up the full pressure its supposed to??

[Sleeprider]

What machine are you using?
What age is it (how many hours)?
Have you checked filters for blockage?

I doubt that the fan can be improved by blowing air through the unit, and it might be damaged. You might want to check your pressure settings on the machine setup, and it is possible to check the pressure by using a simple DIY manometer calibrated in centimeters water pressure.
from http://www.cpap-supply.com/Articles.asp?ID=132
Building Your Own Water Manometer
Materials Required to Build a Water Manometer

1. 4 or 5 foot length of clear vinyl tubing which can be bent into a U-shape, 3/4" diameter or at least close to the diameter of your CPAP tubing connector (the diameter doesn't matter except in as much as you want the CPAP tube to fit onto the manometer tube and you don't want any air to escape)

2. Plywood board approximately 3 feet long and 2 feet wide (although you can always build a much smaller manometer)
3. Meausuring device - either a ruler or custom measuring scale you can affix to the board next to the tube
4. Several clamps and screws to attach the tubing to the board
5. Screw driver
6. Water
7. Food coloring (if you'd like to easily see the water level)

Assembling the Manometer

1. First, attach your clear tubing to the plywood board using the clamps. The tubing should be positioned in a U-shape on the board so that you can fill the tube half full of water without any water spilling out either end. One end of the tubing needs to be accessible so that you can attach your CPAP tube to it. Each side of the tube should be pretty much vertical.


Materials required to build a water manometer to test the pressure on your CPAP machine.

2. Next, make sure your CPAP hose fits securely onto the manometer tube. I used a 3/4" clear tube which I purchased at Ace Hardware, and the fit was slightly loose. I put some tape around the end of the manometer tube to make a better fit.

CPAP tubing connected to water manometer tube. CPAP machine, CPAP pressure.

3. Fill the tube with water. You'll need enough water to show up to 10 or so centimeters of vertical movement (which would represent a total pressure of 20 cm - 10 cm down and 10 cm up). You can pour the water directly from a water bottle. You won't need much water at all. Add food coloring for contrast.

CPAP water manometer filled with water. CPAP machine, CPAP pressure.

4. Affix your measuring scale to the board with a zero marker at the water level.
Attach your CPAP machine and tube to the end of the manometer tube on the opposite side from where the measurement scale is positioned.

CPAP machine connected to CPAP water manometer. CPAP machine, CPAP pressure.

5. Once the CPAP machine is hooked up to the manometer, turn the machine on and watch the column of water rise, marking the new level of the water. The distance the water traveled multiplied by two shows you the CPAP pressure. You have to multiply by two because with this arrangement you're interested in the difference in height between the two columns of water. For example, when one column goes up 10 cm the other goes down 10 cm for a difference in height of 20 cm. On my paper measurement scale each 1 cm increment is marked as 2 cm of pressure to account for this.
CPAP machine set to 20 cm. CPAP machine, CPAP pressure. CPAP water manometer showing CPAP pressure of 20 cm. CPAP machine, CPAP pressure.


That's all there is to a water manometer. Once you have the materials it only takes a few minutes to build.

[Wulfman...]

I've had my CPAP for about 3 years. I use a Fiskell full face mask and just replaced the headgear.

For about the past 6 months, it seems the CPAP doesn't have nearly as much pressure as it used to.

It almost feels like the fan inside is getting old or dirty and can't push enough air.

Is there a way to blow out or clean the airway (in the unit, not the hose) so it can blow harder and build up the full pressure its supposed to??

There's even a simpler way to check the output.
Use the method suggested by "tomjax" in this thread:

viewtopic/t103221/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4 ... ter#p37259

Or, go up to the Search line and put in "homemade manometer" and start reading.


Den

.

[Sleeprider]

Den, that's brilliantly simple. Thanks.

[Wulfman...]

Den, that's brilliantly simple. Thanks.

Give "tomjax" the credit for that one.
I used it a number of times over the years. Then, in 2011 I decided to spend a little money and bought a gauge manometer from CPAP.COM (it's a little faster and not quite as messy.......if you don't have the machine off when you put the hose in or take it out of the water...... ).

Most of the specs on the machines say their pressure accuracy is within about 1 cm. plus or minus. And, that's pretty close to check these machines if there's a question about their output.


Den

.

[LSAT]

An even easier way...Go to a DME and they can check it in less than 5 minutes......normally no charge

[Tatooed Lady]

Maybe the machine is fine, but you've become oblivious to the pressure?

[mp0510]

I think I'll make the manometer this weekend!

I'm pretty sure I haven't gotten used to the pressure, because I used to have to talk loudly for the sound to carry out for my wife to hear me, and I can now talk normally and she can hear just fine (No, I don't talk often with the mask on, but I do often enough that I know the difference )

I'll check all the hardware details tonight and post them and add them to my profile/signature.