What Noise Indicates Failing/Failed Blower/Bearings?

So I have a System One PR560 and its about two years old. When I first got it I was amazed how silent it was.

Now, I can detect a very faint whine when inhaling and exhaling with EPR activated. It's faint but something is there. For the life of me I can't recall if it did this when new. Maybe I'm more attuned to such noises now.

A friend of mine just got a ResMed AirCurve bipap. Dead quiet except for mask venting.

So is there something wrong with my machine that I need to have checked under warranty? (Assuming the warranty is even still active....).

When should one say hey there, something is failing, like a bearing, and I better get this looked at -- versus something totally normal with this model.

My machine isn't super old, and this doesn't sound like a power saw running, but I would hate to have the blower totally fail the day after the warranty expires. Should I return it?

--UPDATE -- Eh, about 6 months out of warranty anyway. So if anything they wont cover it anyway. Makes me feel bad about not going with the DeVilbiss with the 5-year warranty....

hyperlexis wrote:So I have a System One PR560 and its about two years old. When I first got it I was amazed how silent it was.

Now, I can detect a very faint whine when inhaling and exhaling with EPR activated. It's faint but something is there. For the life of me I can't recall if it did this when new. Maybe I'm more attuned to such noises now.

I got rid of a new 560 because the whine bothered me. it's faint, but it's there.

probably pressure dependent.

I wouldn't worry about it.

palerider wrote:

hyperlexis wrote:So I have a System One PR560 and its about two years old. When I first got it I was amazed how silent it was.

Now, I can detect a very faint whine when inhaling and exhaling with EPR activated. It's faint but something is there. For the life of me I can't recall if it did this when new. Maybe I'm more attuned to such noises now.

I got rid of a new 560 because the whine bothered me. it's faint, but it's there.

probably pressure dependent.

I wouldn't worry about it.

So even new it does this?

hyperlexis wrote:

palerider wrote:I got rid of a new 560 because the whine bothered me. it's faint, but it's there.

probably pressure dependent.

I wouldn't worry about it.

So even new it does this?

*points to first line of quote*

maybe there was a little noise in the room when you first got it, air conditioner, etc. I couldn't hear the one I had whining when the ac was running.

There's a sticker on the bottom of the blower that has the 3 digit model number on it.
Also on that same sticker is an 8 digit number that is the machine's manufacture date in year/month/date format.

While this "new" noise may not be anything I am of the opinion that when any noise level changes from the norm that it should be checked out and this is especially true if there is warranty period is involved.
It could be a warning sign that something is ailing and you know how Murphy's law goes....total failure usually happens right after the warranty has expired.
Usually if insurance is involved arrangements can be made for repair or fixing but that's a PITA and probably involves new costs/deductibles/co pays.

If you got your equipment from a brick and mortar DME and you still are within warranty period I would be advising them of the status and probably ask them to check it out.
Some noise is of course normal inhale/exhale noise but anytime the noise seems to change from what I have been experiencing I would be concerned about mechanical issues.

Try using it without the white filter. Only use the gray foam filter. It cured the same noise for me.

About the "usual" inhale/exhale noise with these machines.

I have had occasion to use both brands. With the Respironics I always have had a little bit of "inhale" noise and with the ResMed machines I have always had a little bit of "exhale" noise. From what I have been able to figure out it is mainly what I call "conductive" noise and has been related to the pressures I use....more pressure will equal more "noise" on inhale or exhale depending on which brand I have used.

Since you say this noise seems or appears to be a new noise then that's why I suggest alerting the DME.
The fact that you don't think that you heard this noise before makes me concerned...not that you hear something.

About nine years ago......and about a year after I started therapy with my REMstar Pro 2 machine, it started to develop a slight whine in the C-Flex function. Since it was still under warranty, I had CPAP.COM send it in (I bought it from them). It came back and has been ultra quiet ever since.
You could try turning off the exhale relief and see if that makes any difference. If it's still in warranty, I'd recommend sending it back for repair. Or, if it is out of warranty, you could contact http://www.acbio.com to see what they think it might cost to fix.


Den

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If the motor is starting to make noise, this indicates friction, which indicates heat and when plastic is heated you do not want to breath it. Just saying it's a possibility.

coolbranch wrote:If the motor is starting to make noise, this indicates friction, which indicates heat and when plastic is heated you do not want to breath it. Just saying it's a possibility.

except, as noted, they make a faint whine when new.

For what it's worth, my PRS One Auto is almost 5 years old. It has a whine identical to what you describe. It's very faint - almost imperceptible. The whine started when the machine was a couple of years old.

Send it in for a look-see if you wish but my thought (based on my single-data-point-of-experience) is that it's likely nothing.

Hose_Head wrote:For what it's worth, my PRS One Auto is almost 5 years old. It has a whine identical to what you describe. It's very faint - almost imperceptible. The whine started when the machine was a couple of years old.

Send it in for a look-see if you wish but my thought (based on my single-data-point-of-experience) is that it's likely nothing.

Good advice from all thank you.

Well the DME told me past warranty so I guess I really can't do much. It's a very faint noise, it does not keep me up, and as the other poster said it could be just the way it is from day one out of the box. I guess if it becomes horribly, abnormally loud then I will have to do something and shell out some cash. I wonder if there are videos on youtube which compare the noises from different cpaps.

The DME did tell me that next year I could always just apply for a new machine with my new insurance company. For that however, I will need to drop my deductible ...a lot. By then perhaps Respironics will have a new design machine, or DeVilbiss will also. Or I'll have to go to ResMed.

This is one more reason DMEs need better service. None of the DMEs I originally dealt with would allow 'test driving' a machine at home before buying, to check noise levels, comfort, etc. Just quick tries with a demo machine, if any, inside an office or warehouse.... Not so helpful at all. Makes things very difficult to compare for noise, and other variables when buying. I think the manufacturers count on that factor. Most patients are simply stuck with their first choices regardless if something else is better. No comparison shopping allowed.

if it turns into anything other than that faint rising and falling whine, then accurate here on the forum can fix you up with a reasonably priced repair.... I've heard nothing but good things about them.

Cokomo wrote:Try using it without the white filter. Only use the gray foam filter. It cured the same noise for me.

Did you try what Cokomo said above? Its a noticeable improvement for me. Noise would get worse with a dirty white filter.

The PRS1 machines sometimes send noise down the hose and it gets inside your head through your mask. It can be very confusing because you hear it and others don't. It may also sound like it is coming from somewhere other than the CPAP machine.

It may vary with whether you're using the humidifier, and how full the water tank is. It might also vary with the mask and hose you're using.