REMstarPlus shuts off when I breathe

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Newba
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REMstarPlus shuts off when I breathe

Post by Newba » Fri Jul 25, 2014 10:32 am

I have a REMstarPlus M-series CPAP. Two nights ago, as soon as I put the mask on, it flashed on and off. Each time I tried to put it on, it did this, until after a few attempts, it stayed off completely. Afterwards, nothing lit up when I plugged it in. Since the transformer didn't get warm, I figured I'd try a new transformer. I got one that fit (12V, 5amp, as the electronics store didn't sell a 4.16amp, but they said that the device would only use the amps it needed). It lit up when plugged in at the store, so I figured it was okay. But last night, I had the same problem as the night before: it would turn on in response to my breathing or pressing the button, but then it would turn itself off as soon as I breathed out. However, if I turned it on with the switch without having the mask on, then it would stay. It seems that my breathing triggers it to turn off (no matter which c-flex setting it's in...1, 2, or 3).

Then I tried it in ramp up mode and found that it didn't turn itself off then (at least at first). As the pressure increased, it got to a point where it would shut off again. So I theorized that at higher pressures, something it does in response to detecting my breathing causes it to flood the system somehow, which is why it burned out the original transformer. Hence, I looked up online how to change the pressure setting, and brought it down to just a little bit above where it starts when it's in ramp-up mode. By doing that, I was able to use it last night. It turned off a couple of times during the night and immediately turned back on (with a beep noise), but other than that, it was fine. Nevertheless, I don't know if it has much therapeutic effect at that setting, although I was able to sleep the whole night, whereas the day before, I could only stay asleep a few hours with no CPAP.

Because of its age, I'm looking around for a new one. But in the meantime, I'm wondering if anyone has an idea of any other setting change or fix that might be better than just having it at a low pressure setting....or if anyone has insight into why it's doing this shutting off behavior. (Note: auto-shut-off is off.) Thanks for any insights that you can offer...

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Krelvin
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Re: REMstarPlus shuts off when I breathe

Post by Krelvin » Fri Jul 25, 2014 10:53 am

I have the BiPap version of this. Have not had your problem but do see one of the symptons...

When I unplug the unit (or a power outage) and plug it in, it will not light up. I have to unplug the small power cable in the back, wait a few secs and then plug it back in while the main cord is connected. Then it will light up like normal and work fine.

When powered correctly, the buttons will have a blue light around them. When it is non-powered (ie unplugged and plugged back in), the lights won't be there and it will not function.

I do not use the ramp feature.

I have over the past couple years had the unit reset at night a few times. Been a while. I would wake up because the machine was no longer blowing and in a reset cycle. After it was done, everything was fine. It has been a while since it has done that and I put it behind a UPS power conditioner which might explain why it has behaved since.
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Newba
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Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2014 10:14 am
Location: U.S.

Re: REMstarPlus shuts off when I breathe

Post by Newba » Fri Jul 25, 2014 10:47 pm

My problem seems to be different from a power instability issue, in that the thing that triggers it to reset is the exhaling. When I have it set to low pressure, it works fine unless I let out an unusually big breath. Then it stops, beeps, and goes back on.

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Julie
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Re: REMstarPlus shuts off when I breathe

Post by Julie » Sat Jul 26, 2014 3:17 am

I thought it had a setting for either auto or manual for start-up when breathing - you can tell it to come on or not automatically when mask is on - maybe that got turned off or on by mistake.

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Re: REMstarPlus shuts off when I breathe

Post by Guest » Sat Jul 26, 2014 6:43 am

once again there is no setting to auto-start. that is the machine default. there is no menu item to turn on or off.

it sounds as if there is a problem with the machine. you can prob pick up a newer used machine on craigslist for less than it would cost to fix this one.

did it ever work right?

one thing you can try is to block off the hose (mask removed of course) with your hand to see if the machine shuts off.

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palerider
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Re: REMstarPlus shuts off when I breathe

Post by palerider » Sat Jul 26, 2014 1:05 pm

I've seen reports of problems lately with newer PR machines having problems with the flow and pressure sensors leaking, and pulling the connections of and reseating them firmly helping.

if you're handy with a screwdriver, you might want to take a look inside, and make sure all the little plumbing connections are tight.

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