More entertainment - comparing insides of 3 remstars

Hi all,

Thought it was about time I added another section of photos that I have been wanting to add for a few weeks. At last got the time to prepare & create.

The Respironics line are to me top quality devices built to high standards and built to last. They may well be the most impressive xPAP devices in terms of their build quality & robustness. The internal pressure sensing and air management of the BiPap Pro2 with BiFlex is a sight to behold

At a future date I will add pictures of the PB330 internals - I haven't actually looked yet as I am using the device as my primary device for xPAP therapy.

I still have not found how to separate the top & bottom half of an S8 without marking it. That will just have to be a delayed project until I get the inspiration needed to figure out why the top & bottom remain so firmly in place despite removing the obvious holding screws.

Anyway, please enjoy the following photos ...

http://www.internetage.com/cpapinfo/rem ... index.html


Notes:

1) I have now included a dismantled RemStar H/H

2) The last two pics show the fibre optic rod that transmits control data from a RemStar to the H/H unit. (Very clever).

3) The extra pressure sensor in the BiPap (compared to the AUTO) appears to be to detect fan output pressure

4) Note that the Plus has *no* pressure sensors - just runs the motor at preset speeds to provide the required output cms

5) The fan motor on the AUTO is fully encased in foam - compare the insides of the AUTO to the empty spaces in the Plus & BiPap. I am assuming this baffling is needed because the AUTO fan motor changes speed continually when Cflex is active & also uses the fan speed to set upper & lower cms settings whereas the BiPap & Plus run the fan at one particular speed determined by the (upper) cms setting

6) The BiPap appears to run the motor to produce max cms & uses the air control solenoid to redirect air as needed, back into the fan input chamber

If anyone has any knowledge of the purposes of the different pressure lines, please post your info

Cheers

DSM

Where in the world do you get all these cpaps to take apart lol
I must say you have an interesting hobby. I looked at some of the pictures and I must say you have taking things down to their basic components.

What interests you in taking these things apart? You must be into electronics.
I don't have an electronic bone in my body, but thanks for sharing.

God bless
Chelle

Chelle,

In another life I was an electronics specialist.
These days I am an IT architect.

From childhood I would pull things apart to see how they worked & that habit is as strong now as it was then. I also love fixing broken things as that becomes proof of understanding what one has taken apart.

My deep interest in xPAPs was fuelled by a desire to know what this machine was doing to me & for me & how .

I wanted to learn this so that I could better understand the dynamics of my therapy. Thus far I have learned an enormous amount quickly and have greatly improved what I am getting out of xPAP therapy.

But my short involvement pales into insignificance along side some of the other regulars here (even those sages who desire to remain anonymous but whose presence is always so welcome).

If I had more time I would also reverse engineer the software in some of the machines perhaps tweak it to see what I could achieve.

Come to think of it - I would *love* to be able to learn how to program & control the devices that make up these machines. Perhaps when I retire

Cheers

DSM

What concerns me about what I see in the pictures is that the air outlet seems to slope down from the exit back to the blower. Is there any kind of check valve? Seems that if any water gets splashed up into the intake it will flow into the blower.

For those that keep their 'pap on the floor next to the bed (that would be me), it would be rather easy to accidently bump the machine with your foot and give the water in the HH a pretty good sloshing.

Wader,

Sadly there is no such valve that I can see in any of the machines I have dismembered.

The BiPap shown (as you may already know from earlier posts) appeared to have been placed in its carry bag with the h/h attached & still containing water.

I was able to trace the path the water took thru the air solenoid valve & into the motor housing where it damaged the bearings of the motor (a $12 repair job for the bearings part )

Also it appears water got into the air sensor lines & may have damaged the air flow sensor chip which at the moment seems to have lost a level of sensitivity.

Seems these machines can be easily damaged by water getting into the air port unless it is cleared out asap.

Cheers

DSM

I think it would be awesome if you could design a way to help machine manufacturers make a way so no water could get into the machine to damage it. I really don't know if this is even possible, but I know I was told that water damage is not covered while the machine is being rented, and this seems to be a big problem. Maybe there would be a way? But I am not the expert lol

God bless
Chelle

Cool stuff! So that's what they look like on the inside!

DSM,

Thank you for the pictures and for your work. I sure don't understand what I'm looking at, but it is impressive!

Your posts to this forum are always well written and very informative. Thanks for being here.

Andy

DSM, you're a pretty good photographer too. If I ever have to take my new machine apart, I'll probably come looking for your pictures, LOL.

It sounds like you may have covered it before, but if you wouldn't mind repeating it, what is the story on how you acquired the machines? Are they all broke?

Regards,
Bill

Re the machines,

Nup most were new or less that 100 hrs.

S7 Elite had 96 hrs on it.

I know the Polaris ISP9800 (still to show photos) was refurbished.

The BiPap was new but damaged (excessive noise & flow control problem).
It had less than 1 hr on it.

The PB330 had 400 hrs on it.

The PB318 was a old donkey that still works (but I can't figure how to change its pressure). My guess is it was in a house that caught fire because it has a fire like smell in it that wont seem to come out.

The F&P221LE, S8 Esacpe, PB420, RemStar AUTO & Spirit were new
All the humidifiers for these are new. Plus a new Resmed Humidaire H/H.
Plus a new HC150 H/H.

But I also have a used HC100.

Cheers

DSM

DSM, you make a computer nerd like myself drool! Keep up the work!

FL andy wrote:DSM,

Thank you for the pictures and for your work. I sure don't understand what I'm looking at, but it is impressive!

Andy, I echo your sentiments!

Thanks for sharing the great photos, DSM!

Like Wader, I have concern about water from the h/h getting into the motor housing if the unit gets bumped. I frequently pack up my cpap for travel so I try to take great care. I suppose if that were to happen , one should pick up the machine after removing the humidifier tank, dump out whatever might have entered, and then turn on the blower to dry it out?

lynn

Lynn,

Absolutely, shake out what water you can then if the machine will run (should do) then let it run for a couple of hours.

The main thing is to prevent the water sitting around the motor.

These motors are what we call brushless. There is no coil on the rotating part, just a powerful ring magnet (toroid).

The motor can be full of water & run - the problems occur if water gets to the fan motor bearings as it can quickly trigger rust in them.

The only time one needs to be careful when turning an wet xPAP on, is if water got into any other part (the air circuit is sealed inside the machine so water going into the air out hole should *not* get into the other parts of the unit).

If water did get into the body of the xPAP then it needs to be dried before any attempt to turn it on (don't know how unless spilled directly on top or the xPAP is in the rain or some other odd occurance has it getting soaked).

Cheers

DSM

Added *not* where I missed it out (reversed meaning)

Thanks, Professor D!

Now in the interests of science and humanity, you need to figure out how that S8 comes apart. Hey, isn't Resmed right in your neighbourhood... certainly I wouldn't be suggesting a teensy bit of espionage to come up with the solution?