TWO AirSense 10s whining

[recipefordisaster]

I have an AirSense 10 APAP that is about 3 years old. It started having a loud, annoying low whine that sounded like the motor, worst near the air intake. I changed everything I could think of including the filter, tubing, checked and rechecked humidifier tank fit and gasket, etc. Moving the machine under the bed and putting a pillow above it (still plenty of clean air to take in where it was located - I pointed the intake out from under the bed), changing the surface it was sitting on, along with upping my white noise machine, weren’t enough to let me sleep, so I bought a newer used one on Craigslist.

I had the seller put the mask on and show me that it was silent while in use. It was. I used the new tubing, humidifier tank, and filter, after a thorough cleaning, of course. The machine was barely used. It seemed silent for a while but I might not have realized it was the new machine when it would wake me up. Eventually I realized that the new machine DOES have a whine! It’s different on inhalation and exhalation, not nearly so loud as the old machine, and somewhat intermittent. It's still worst near the air intake. I keep thinking I am fixing it by repositioning the tubing (already secured to a hanger), moving myself, changing tension on the tubing, etc. but I think it’s random as the sound comes and goes as I try to sleep. I swear some of these interventions make it silent for a while, but I have never been able to duplicate any of them and make it quiet down. If it were a steady noise, I could get used to it. It’s annoyingly biphasic and I just cannot cover the sound with white noise. Earplugs of any kind always make my ears throb.

I’m really hoping someone can help me troubleshoot this - I cannot sleep and there’s no way I can buy a third machine. I have my first machine, which has a humidifier fault, but I need the humidity.
.

[LSAT]

Call these people...http://www.acbio.com

[recipefordisaster]

Thanks. I can’t imagine having to ship them but I hope they can help.

I forgot to mention that I use a mask with a liner and have almost no leak, so I can’t imagine this has to do with the mask. It’s also much louder the closer you get to the air filter side of the machine. The old machine has the noise all the time, and 5x worse, but the new one has it coming and going randomly (unless there’s some factor I haven’t found).

[Lifeisabeach]

It does seem odd that you are having the same problem on two different machines, especially with one proven to be working as expected right before bringing it home. It's a long shot, but try plugging your machines into a different electrical outlet, in a different room. Make sure it's on a different circuit. If you aren't using a surge protector, consider getting one. If you are, don't use it for the test. If it's an old one, replace it. If you can test the machines on a DC power source instead, so much the better, just to eliminate any possibility that this is an issue with your home wiring.

[recipefordisaster]

Sorry, I’m exhausted from not sleeping partly due to this. I knew I’d forget stuff. I have tried this... the machines are normally (in use) plugged into a UPS with surge protector as well. But they make noise in a different room on a different circuit, and each is using its original power supply.

It was quiet when the seller tested it, but it’s often quiet when I use it, too. Then I wake up a couple of hours later due to the noise.

[Lifeisabeach]

Sorry, I’m exhausted from not sleeping partly due to this. I knew I’d forget stuff. I have tried this... the machines are normally (in use) plugged into a UPS with surge protector as well. But they make noise in a different room on a different circuit, and each is using its original power supply.

It was quiet when the seller tested it, but it’s often quiet when I use it, too. Then I wake up a couple of hours later due to the noise.

Since you have this going on with 2 machines and this is dragging on and affecting your sleep, you are probably best off taking LSAT's advice and giving acbio a call. At the minimum, they may have a quick fix or suggestion for you. Worst case, you send one in for them to inspect and fix if need be while in the interim we try to eliminate another cause here for the other one.

I would eliminate the UPS entirely for the time being and switch to a new surge protector (no UPS). Avoid a dirt cheap one, but don't go crazy either. Just get a reliable brand like APC or Tripp Lite for example. I actually like Anker's products and am using one they make with a built-in USB-C port to power a bedside wireless charger for my phone.

EDIT: BTW, what UPS are you using? How long have you used it for and do you know if it meets the power demands of your machine? I also just noticed you mentioned a UPS and a surge protector. Using those together is a HUGE no no.
https://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/FA158852/

You say it's coming from around the air intake, which would be where the air filter is. Make sure the cover is snapped in place fully (I can't imagine you overlooked this though) and that the filter itself is in there correctly. The filter can be a little awkward I think. When lifting the cover to lock it into place, I think there is a risk of the filter slipping out of place if you aren't careful and maybe that could lead to a whistling noise? Which makes me think of something else... are you using ResMed's filters or a 3rd party filter? If a 3rd party, I'm wondering if maybe they aren't sized "quite" correctly for the unit.

[Lifeisabeach]

BTW, just as an additional thought, I only recently experienced an intermittent problem on one of my two AirCurves that varied also with inhalation and exhalation, but it wasn't a whine so much as a clicking-like noise. In my case, the water chamber had to be pushed in a little tighter. So try this: when you hear the whining, try pressing the water chamber in with your right hand while using your left hand to brace the opposite side just to see if that stops the noise. Don't be tooooo forceful. Maybe start off gentle, then increase the force to see if this has any impact.

[recipefordisaster]

I’m used to squeezing and jiggling the humidifier chamber. It’s like it has 2 different ways to fit. It doesn’t sound like that sound, and when I’ve had that problem, I’ve seen a leak reported.

I am using brand name filters and they fit nicely, with the door double checked and closed properly. I’ve been going crazy with this for a while... I’ve tried angling the hose connection in different ways, putting different amounts of tension on it, putting the machine on a mat, etc.

I contacted ACBio and am waiting to hear back (can’t call during my workday). I just bought this new machine a month ago, and this is 3 in 5 years or so. Ugh.

I have a third machine (actually, the one with the humidifier fault), running on the same UPS/surge protector. It has no noise. My other half uses it since he doesn’t need humidification.

This is more of a whine than a whistle, kind of like someone humming annoyingly. It’s worst at the end of inhale and beginning of exhale. The previous machine had a baseline noise that never ended - I think it was a light "chugachugachuga" if I remember right. I would try to turn off EPR, but I really need it as my breathing is not so good. These machines were silent before. I kind of wish I hadn’t gotten spoiled. But, as I said, a steady noise would be okay. A varying noise bothers me a lot and keeps me up.

Sorry, I’m exhausted from not sleeping partly due to this. I knew I’d forget stuff. I have tried this... the machines are normally (in use) plugged into a UPS with surge protector as well. But they make noise in a different room on a different circuit, and each is using its original power supply.

It was quiet when the seller tested it, but it’s often quiet when I use it, too. Then I wake up a couple of hours later due to the noise.

Since you have this going on with 2 machines and this is dragging on and affecting your sleep, you are probably best off taking LSAT's advice and giving acbio a call. At the minimum, they may have a quick fix or suggestion for you. Worst case, you send one in for them to inspect and fix if need be while in the interim we try to eliminate another cause here for the other one.

I would eliminate the UPS entirely for the time being and switch to a new surge protector (no UPS). Avoid a dirt cheap one, but don't go crazy either. Just get a reliable brand like APC or Tripp Lite for example. I actually like Anker's products and am using one they make with a built-in USB-C port to power a bedside wireless charger for my phone.

You say it's coming from around the air intake, which would be where the air filter is. Make sure the cover is snapped in place fully (I can't imagine you overlooked this though) and that the filter itself is in there correctly. The filter can be a little awkward I think. When lifting the cover to lock it into place, I think there is a risk of the filter slipping out of place if you aren't careful and maybe that could lead to a whistling noise? Which makes me think of something else... are you using ResMed's filters or a 3rd party filter? If a 3rd party, I'm wondering if maybe they aren't sized "quite" correctly for the unit.

[Lifeisabeach]

I edited my prior reply as you were replying as it turns out, but in case you missed it, I noticed you mentioned using a UPS with a surge protector. APC recommends against doing that... it does cause problems.
https://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/FA158852/

[recipefordisaster]

The APC and surge protector are one unit integrated.

[Lifeisabeach]

The APC and surge protector are one unit integrated.

Ah, ok. Well you are good on that front. Which one do you have anyway? I need to look into one myself. How long does it go for when it kicks on? Does your give an alarm?

[recipefordisaster]

It’s under the bed and hard to get to - I know it’s a pretty high end one. It does have an alarm, which is half of why I wanted it. I need to know when the power is out if we are both on CPAPs! I’ve let it run for an hour, both machines, before starting the generator. It might go longer! You couldn’t sleep while using it because it beeps often, but at least you have power for a bit.

[Lifeisabeach]

It’s under the bed and hard to get to - I know it’s a pretty high end one. It does have an alarm, which is half of why I wanted it. I need to know when the power is out if we are both on CPAPs! I’ve let it run for an hour, both machines, before starting the generator. It might go longer! You couldn’t sleep while using it because it beeps often, but at least you have power for a bit.

Ah, ok. No need to find the model number for my curiosity then. Whatever I get I don't want to have an alarm unless it's about to give out. I work overnights in the middle of the week and every great once in a while, someone takes out a utility pole during rush hour. Or maybe there's downtime from the lines being serviced. I have a battery solution for when I lose power, but I need to just get on a UPS so I don't even get interrupted and have to crankily set it up in a pinch.

[DreamDiver]

...
I contacted ACBio and am waiting to hear back (can’t call during my workday). I just bought this new machine a month ago, and this is 3 in 5 years or so. Ugh.
...

Just curious -- three machines in five years, all with the same whine -- is it possible there's an environmental cause to this?
Do you live close to an ocean? Maybe with windows open and lots of salt spray? Are you a liveaboarder?

Do you use an ultrasonic mist humidifier? I had one that, when I used it with water from a brita water filter by mistake in the humidifier, it pushed out a fine white mineral ash that settled on my cpap's filter. It also settled all over every piece of furniture in the room. It was like snow indoors, but... mineral ash. Needless to say, I stopped that immediately. Vacuumed and wiped everything. If you're using an ultrasonic humidifier that's putting out a nearly undetectable amount of mineral ash, that could also be the culprit.

Are there other possible air pollutants that may be affecting your blower?

I have no experience with this. I'm just saying three machines in three years... It sounds too coincidental not to be at least considering something specific to your environment.

Chris

[palerider]

I've read repeated comments about noises from air10 units that were finally tracked down to problems with the humidifier, either a bad seal on the tank, or a bad seal/misalignment on the silicone 'boots' that the humidifier seats into int the machine.