Should you ever turn your cpap machine off?

AllShookUp · Post by **AllShookUp** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 7:56 am

When I first got my cpap machine the DME told me that I could leave the machine on at all times or I could turn if off each morning. It was my own preference. Is it better to leave it on or cut it off each day? Does this have any effect on how long the machine will last?

ahujudybear · Post by **ahujudybear** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 8:10 am

If you leave it on, won't it just keep on blowing air all day? (My RT said to turn it off)

If you leave it on won't that mess up the data that the machine stores?

(New user here. Never heard anyone mention leaving the machine running before)

- JB

SheepZzzzz · Post by **SheepZzzzz** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 8:16 am

Mine is only on when I use it. Do you mean unplug?? I unplug when I clean but have to reset sometimes when cflex bumps off.
-Shee

Marie · Post by **Marie** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 10:00 am

I turn mine off,only on when I use it. The hours are kept track of on my cpap(I don't have a fancy one (auto).If I left it on all the time the hours would not be correct when someone checks it. Don't know when that will be though.No one has checked it since September.

AllShookUp · Post by **AllShookUp** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 10:25 am

I see that all people that responded did indeed turn off the machine after they woke up each day. How long have you had your machine and have you had any problems with it? I thought maybe it was not so good for it to be turned off and on all the time, just trying to make it last as long as I can. Hopefully I won't have to replace it too often. I myself have turned mine (late Dec '04) off each morning with the exception of the past few weeks. I recently learned how to read my info from the machine thanks to this forum. I thought maybe I needed to leave it on to get the day results, because I could get the week and month results but not the day at first. I have since found out that after so many hours that day info is lost no matter whether I turn if off at the switch (not unplug) or just leave it on. I too noticed that a small amount of air kept blowing while left on. My sister has left hers on ever since she has had it (1-1/2 years) and recently had problems with pressure not working correctly. She had to have it fixed, luckily it was covered under warranty.

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 2:54 pm

I turn mine off every morning and back on after I put my mask on and get it comfortable.

I never unplug it. Even when I take the water tank off to clean and fill it.

gailzee · Post by **gailzee** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:24 pm

have the 420E, with software, that I can check myself and do on a daily basis. I would never ever leave it turned on? What for? Also shutting it off, at least on the 420, is still ''on'' the time is on, etc. But not running.......In fact, when I unplug it to bring to my computer to download, I leave it unplugged till I plug it back in by the bed at night. No harm so far, and it's been done this way for 4 nights. Why run anything if you don't need to?

[quote="AllShookUp"]When I first got my cpap machine the DME told me that I could leave the machine on at all times or I could turn if off each morning. It was my own preference. Is it better to leave it on or cut it off each day? Does this have any effect on how long the machine will last?

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 10:21 pm

gailzee wrote: have the 420E, with software, that I can check myself and do on a daily basis. I would never ever leave it turned on? What for? Also shutting it off, at least on the 420, is still ''on'' the time is on, etc. But not running.......In fact, when I unplug it to bring to my computer to download, I leave it unplugged till I plug it back in by the bed at night. No harm so far, and it's been done this way for 4 nights. Why run anything if you don't need to?

Exactly the same here.
O.

IWannaSleep · Post by **IWannaSleep** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 12:03 am

Actually I noticed my REMStar turns itself off if left on full by itself.

But, I don't see the problem or confusion here. Why wouldn't you turn it off when you wake and take your mask off? Its not like it takes a great amount of effort or anything. On every machine I've used it's been a simple matter of pressing one little button on top of the machine as I take the mask off.

Don't overcomplicate things, just turn it off when you get up. Unplugging it is probaly unneccessary, but if it floats your boat that's simple enough to do too.

Ron

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 9:12 am

I had a Remstar on trial for 2 weeks, and I distinctly remember it had a condition about being turned off automatically - this on option goes together with the auto alarm option. I had no auto alarm, no auto turn off.

See the intsruction manuals in http://remstar.respironics.com/literature.htm

By the way, observant Jews will not want to turn off the machine on the Sabbath. I visited my brother, who is observant, and asked the DME about leaving the Remstar on, and he said there's absolutely no harm in it.

O.

AllShookUp · Post by **AllShookUp** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 10:16 am

IWannaSleep wrote:Actually I noticed my REMStar turns itself off if left on full by itself.

But, I don't see the problem or confusion here. Why wouldn't you turn it off when you wake and take your mask off? Its not like it takes a great amount of effort or anything. On every machine I've used it's been a simple matter of pressing one little button on top of the machine as I take the mask off.

Don't overcomplicate things, just turn it off when you get up. Unplugging it is probaly unneccessary, but if it floats your boat that's simple enough to do too.

Ron

My reason for asking this question in the first place was to prolong the life of the machine not for the amount of effort taken to turn it off. I know some people have had the same machine for many years and was wondering how they took care of it.

How did you know I have a boat?

Niteair · Post by **Niteair** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 10:18 am

Every mechanical device has a certain lifespan, parts will eventually wear out, the bearings in the blower motor of yor machine is no exception, so if you leave the unit running constantly, you will just be limiting the time that you will be able to have it for a useful purpose vs blowing air out int the room and getting the filters clogged sooner than need be.

tomjax · Post by **tomjax** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 10:50 am

I cannot imagine why anyone would suggest leaving it on.
I dont leave my truck or car running all the time or my stove, why would you leave a pap on?
As mentioned above, all have a certain lifespan and usually it is a mechanical part- motor- bearing. The running also further clogs the filter and the gunk will accumulate on the impeller.

I thought almost all the newer machines have an auto off and on. Mine does. DeVilbiss 900D.
It usually goes off in about a minute and comes right back on when i slip on my mask and take a deep breath.

I vote to Turn it off!!

AllShookUp · Post by **AllShookUp** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 11:26 am

When I meant turn if off, I meant by the on/off switch which is located on the back of my ResMed S7 Elite. I most definitely turn the pressure switch off everytime I remove my mask (there is an auto feature but I do not use). If I don't turn the switch off in the back a small amount of air still blows and I can see the digital readout. Turning off the switch, all air stops and no readout. My DME said that I could turn that switch off everyday if I wanted to or I could leave it on. Not sure what is best.

IWannaSleep · Post by **IWannaSleep** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 1:11 pm

AllShookUp wrote:... If I don't turn the switch off in the back a small amount of air still blows and I can see the digital readout. Turning off the switch, all air stops and no readout. ...

Ahhh, this clarifies things. I have never used a machine that keeps air blowing in this way. In this case I would definitely turn off the main power switch. Otherwise, as you say, you are adding wear to the system and clogging the filters all day long.

Should you ever turn your cpap machine off?

Should you ever turn your cpap machine off?

Should you ever turn your cpap machine off?

Re: Should you ever turn your cpap machine off?

Re: Should you ever turn your cpap machine off?

leaving pap on

Mask