Auto On/Off setting

Hi Folks - I'm a noobie on this site; I've been using CPAP therapy for three years.

My Respironics REMstar M CFLex machine has been great until about a month ago when the Auto On/Off feature quit working, and it seems to me that the air pressure has also dropped. Have no way to measure that, though.

I fudged the numbers to increase the pressure, but the blower still does not turn on automatically when I put on the mask, nor turn off automatically when it is removed; Auto On is still selected, it just doesn't work.

Does anyone here know if that is a fixable problem? Is it an indication that the machine is dying?

Did you, by any chance, change masks at about the same time?

Sounds like you might be using something like a Swift mask.
Relying on the Auto-Off function screws up the leak numbers. I recommend turning that feature OFF and just pushing the button BEFORE you remove the mask.


Den

Change masks? Yeah, somewhere around that time. It's the same type mask as I've used ever since I got the machine a Comfort Gel. Put on a new hose, too.

Auto On/Off isn't a must-have feature. My concern is whether the failure of that feature is an indication of a more serious problem with the device.

What's the life expectancy of a CPAP machine?

It's not the mask. I was thinking that you might have changed from a nasal to a full face mask. The anti-asphyxia valve in FFMs tend to make autostart features not work.

I would get the machine checked out. Your DME (if you have one) or sleep doctor should have a manometer to check the machine. Or, you could buy one, or even build one (search on homemade manometer.)

Playing guess-a-pressure is not a good idea.

degan wrote:Change masks? Yeah, somewhere around that time. It's the same type mask as I've used ever since I got the machine a Comfort Gel. Put on a new hose, too.

Auto On/Off isn't a must-have feature. My concern is whether the failure of that feature is an indication of a more serious problem with the device.

What's the life expectancy of a CPAP machine?

SHOULD be YEARS. (but there are no guarantees.......just warranties)


Den

Wulfman wrote:Sounds like you might be using something like a Swift mask.
Relying on the Auto-Off function screws up the leak numbers. I recommend turning that feature OFF and just pushing the button BEFORE you remove the mask.


Den

I didnt know that, i use a swift FX and my leak numbers are all over the place. maybe ill turn off the auto on tonight and see if it helps

degan wrote:Hi Folks - I'm a noobie on this site; I've been using CPAP therapy for three years.

My Respironics REMstar M CFLex machine has been great until about a month ago when the Auto On/Off feature quit working, and it seems to me that the air pressure has also dropped. Have no way to measure that, though.

I fudged the numbers to increase the pressure, but the blower still does not turn on automatically when I put on the mask, nor turn off automatically when it is removed; Auto On is still selected, it just doesn't work.

Does anyone here know if that is a fixable problem? Is it an indication that the machine is dying?

imtired wrote:maybe ill turn off the auto on tonight and see if it helps

Auto off is selectable - that I know of Auto ON is not. It is a safety feature in case there is a power interruption it will come on right where it left off. The ONLY thing I know that will affect Auto ON is the mask seal - a leak - large enuff so the machine doesn't 'sense' breathing. Could that be it?

Do you have a DME you can check with?

The leak numbers are affected because the rush of air between mask removal and blower shutdown is counted in the stats.

jdm2857 wrote:The leak numbers are affected because the rush of air between mask removal and blower shutdown is counted in the stats.

I am not certain but think when the Auto OFF is On it delays writing any data to the card. When trying this feature, I didn't notice any difference. But I always shut the machine off by the switch even then.

So would it if I let it time out? I don't know that it will.

The reason this feature is NOT recommended for newbies is LEAKS - BIG Leaks will shut the machine OFF. Then they wake up and wonder why the machine is off - swearing they have No Leaks. They have no software to check either or the machine is not data capable but they swear they have no leaks. You might find this hard to believe but I am willing to bet anyone who has ever used a CPAP has had leaks and likely even slept long enuff for the machine to shut off due to very LARGE leaks.

That's why I've always had my "Auto-Off" and "Leak Alert" settings turned Off. I don't want any alarms waking me up and I don't want the machine to shut off on its own. I want to keep getting air. When I have had large leaks, the air keeps blowing and at some point the mask reseals itself and I've slept through it.......assuring the continuity of my therapy.


Den

I've had SmartStart on since the beginning and have never experienced that.

And my leak graph are nothing of which to be envious.

jdm2857 wrote:I've had SmartStart on since the beginning and have never experienced that.

And my leak graph are nothing of which to be envious.

fwiw - I don't know anything about SmartStart.

SmartStart is ResMed's name for the combined auto on/auto off feature.

jdm2857 wrote:SmartStart is ResMed's name for the combined auto on/auto off feature.

NOW I know why I don't.