YAY! I have a REMstar Auto, now!

floydcs · Post by **floydcs** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 9:15 am

I got it slightly used w/ only 600hrs and a heated humidifier.
I just ordered the Encore Pro software from cpap.com.

I started with a set up for 7 - 12 H2O/cm since my Rx was 10.
I seem to like the C-Flex setting of 2.

The first 2 nights I woke, in the morning, with the pressure pegged at 12. GACK!!
That was with 7hrs of sleep getting up w/ an alarm for work.

Saturday, I woke with the pressure at 8, w/ 8hrs of sleep. Hmmm...

I also tried the humidity on 1 and got some horrific rainout. Worse than I ever got with my F&P CPAP. I need to get the hose covers for this machine, i guess. Plus, I need to figure out how to cover the little hose on my Breeze mask.
I also had the common prob of a leaky humidifier container. I found a big puddle under it... May have to order a new one...

Has anyone noticed the noise on inhale from the REMstar Auto? It's lots noisier than my F&P. Should I check anything?

I might sound like i'm ranting, but, i'm just commenting on my first experiences w/ the REMstar. I like a challenge and will figure it out. I have learn gobs of info of this web site and appreciate your comments.
Thanks!

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 1:42 pm

If you indeed do have a leaky humidifier you only need to replace the clear container ($25), not the whole unit.

Are you comparing rainout on both machines at the same room temperature and with the same interface?

floydcs · Post by **floydcs** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 3:09 pm

Yes, I'm aware i only need the clear container, thanks.

Yes, I'm comparing the two machines with the same temp and interface.
I should mention the F&P has a heated hose integrated in the machine.
So, of course the REMstar would be worse... Silly me!

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 3:17 pm

I've had an Fisher and Paykel HC608 (with integrated heated hose), a Resmed S8 AutoSet Vantage with the integrated H3i humidifier, and a REMstar Auto with the REMstar humidifier. Of the three, I've found the REMstar to provide the best humidification, and I've had virtually NO rain-out problems with it, even in the cool fall weather that we're having in Utah now.

Though I think that the F&Ps are GREAT CPAP machines and certainly the most quiet of them all, I did find that the hose heat cycling on would make the air stuffy enough to arouse or awaken me, and I wasn't able to adjust that out using the F&P's climate or comfort controls.

I think that you'll be pleasantly surprised with your REMstar humidifier, certainly after you get your reservoir leak fixed.

Chuck

quilterB · Post by **quilterB** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 3:26 pm

When I first started to use my RemStar I thought it was much noisier than my previous machine, a ResMed. Now I don't even notice it.
Linda

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 3:57 pm

My Remstar Auto w/cflex is the equal quietest machine I have (PB330 is equal).

They are usually very good reliable machines

Good luck

DSM

floydcs · Post by **floydcs** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 9:41 pm

Ya know, I just noticed it doesn't appear to have an air filter in it. It has an air filter holder with a thin piece of foam going around the inside, but not over the air inlet.
Perhaps that is why it's noisy?

cflame1 · Post by **cflame1** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:40 am

you need to have a grayish black foam filter and a white paperish plastic filter

floydcs · Post by **floydcs** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 9:29 am

Oops, i only just ordered the black foam. I didn't think i needed the paper ones, too.
cpap.com lists them as the foam being reusable and the paper as disposable. So, i figured it was a better buy to get reusable foam. I didn't know i needed both.

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 9:40 am

on the filters...

You can run with just the black reusable foam ones (they are the gross particle filters)

The white filters are fine particle filters and are optional.

I believe the manual says not to run without the black gross filter but I can't remember for sure. You might want to check the manual to avoid damage to the machine.

The gross filters you rinse out and dry completely before putting back in the machine (I use 2 and alternate to avoid putting a damp filter in and hurting the machine). When the washed one is totally dry I pop it in a ziplock bag I keep for this and leave it there until the next swap. I think it is about 2 weeks but again, check the manual.

The disposable filter needs to be put in with the fuzzy side towards the room and the shiny smooth side towards the machine. I think the manual says check (visually at a week). I find I am changing at 2 weeks but every house and dust situation is different.

If you think about this it is obvious (how to install) as is the fact that the black filter is closest to the room and the white filter is up against the machine when using both filters. Black filters out the big stuff then that filtered air goes through the white filter to get the smaller stuff.

While it makes sense I mention it because my DME (who is supposed to be so well trained that we are supposed to want to pay more for the "support" (per Resmed, dig dig, couldn't resist) tried to install them backwards until I corrected him, so this is why I mention this.

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 10:24 am

If the previous owner ran it for 600 hours in aclean room, it should be
fine, after you install the filter. I don't think it's a good idea to use it without
a filter. The biggest worry with used units is roaches. If it was mine I would crack it open and blow out the dust..Of course if you got it from a DME it's
as pure as the driven snow...

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 10:34 am

floydcs wrote:Oops, i only just ordered the black foam. I didn't think i needed the paper ones, too.
cpap.com lists them as the foam being reusable and the paper as disposable. So, i figured it was a better buy to get reusable foam. I didn't know i needed both.

snoregirl wrote:on the filters...

You can run with just the black reusable foam ones (they are the gross particle filters)

The white filters are fine particle filters and are optional.

Yep, the white filter is optional. The black foam reusable filter is all I ever use.

That reminds me...it's about time for another gentle wash of the foam. For the umpteenth time. They last really well.

floydcs · Post by **floydcs** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 1:55 pm

The biggest worry with used units is roaches.

I never give that a thought!! EWWW!!
I think i'm safe. The unit was very clean. The air intake had only the slightest fine dust coating.

Thanks all. I will just use the black foam filters.

Now to tackle the leaking humidifier container and the rainout issues.
I've been running without the humidity for a couple of nights.

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 3:09 pm

I have been running without heat (water in chamber but not turning it on) all summer. So far it is fine. I was using heat in April when I got it and the house heat was running drying out the air.

floydcs · Post by **floydcs** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 3:20 pm

Yes, I did the same w/ no humidity, but now that the weather is getting cold and the furnace is running, i would like to use low humidity. I don't like it up that high because i like to breath cool air.
I've only been on CPAP since May, 06, so i havent had it through the winter.
I like to create and inovate so i'd like to invent my own heated hose solution...

YAY! I have a REMstar Auto, now!

YAY! I have a REMstar Auto, now!

Humidifcation