Perma-Stench: M-series Auto CPAP

[DigiSage]

I don't have the address for them, however one thing I've found in the past that generally gets a response from companies is to copy the Investor Relations department under separate cover, and let them know you will be publicizing this all over the place....making sure to let them know you are not happy about the expense you have incurred for a now worthless machine that is worthless due to their design flaw.

I'm not feeling that vindictive at the moment. It'd be nice if they talked to me but honestly, the reason I posted this was just to inform people of why this machine is such an odor-magnet, not to try and get anything fixed or resolved (already gave up on that).

[KittyB]

Have you tried vinegar? That might work.

[dsm]

Here are some links to the insides of various machines. Just realized that craig in Tx sent me a set of pics of an M series.

http://www.internetage.ws/cpapinfo/menu2ok.html

May help in getting to the cause of that foam problem. The only other machine I know of with a lot of foam is the PB42x range.


DSM

[hummer3d]

Is this only a problem with the autos or does it happen in the m series plus or pro?

[builta]

Here are some links to the insides of various machines. Just realized that craig in Tx sent me a set of pics of an M series.

http://www.internetage.ws/cpapinfo/menu2ok.html

May help in getting to the cause of that foam problem. The only other machine I know of with a lot of foam is the PB42x range.


DSM

Good find. Bravo!

[dsm]

Here are some links to the insides of various machines. Just realized that craig in Tx sent me a set of pics of an M series.

http://www.internetage.ws/cpapinfo/menu2ok.html

May help in getting to the cause of that foam problem. The only other machine I know of with a lot of foam is the PB42x range.


DSM

Good find. Bravo!

Apart from the M series & 1 other (PB420E by SWS) I took all the pics myself

DSM

(PS wanna buy a used xPAP )

[Slinky]

... After taking it apart, I found two more foam pieces, made from the same material that the black filter is made from. They smelled a tiny bit but not very much. Then I found the real culprit.

There is a gigantic piece of sponge-like foam inside the machine, which completely surrounds the motor, presumably to keep everything air tight. It's about as big as my hands if I turn them into fists and hold them together. It's not spongy like a sponge you might use for washing your dishes... it's far less porous and much "tougher", for lack of a better word. It's more like a spongecake, but a lot denser. ...

So, DigiSage, is that big sponge-like foam piece revealed in any of Craig's pictures of the disassembled M Series? Is it surrounding what looks like the round "fan" on the right in picture 04.connections? (I'm not mechanically inclined).

Has anyone disassembled a pre-M Series Bi-PAP Auto w/Bi-Flex? I see that dsm did disassemble the pre-M Series Pro 2, ST and Auto but didn't find a clear pic of the auto "motor" unit, aside from pic c-bipap-auto-pro2-3.jpg It doesn't appear in that pic that there is any sponge-like foam around the motor unit.

[SharkBait]

I don't have the address for them, however one thing I've found in the past that generally gets a response from companies is to copy the Investor Relations department under separate cover, and let them know you will be publicizing this all over the place....making sure to let them know you are not happy about the expense you have incurred for a now worthless machine that is worthless due to their design flaw.

I'm not feeling that vindictive at the moment. It'd be nice if they talked to me but honestly, the reason I posted this was just to inform people of why this machine is such an odor-magnet, not to try and get anything fixed or resolved (already gave up on that).

If it were me, I'd want an expensive piece of equipment fixed even though I had a 2nd machine. I'd think the idea of sending you a replacement foam piece would be a possibility...

[Slinky]

If you ask around the local DME suppliers there are those companies that do "re-furbish" and re-sell the re-furbished xPAPs. I know there is one in the Detroit, MI area, Southfield actually, if I remember right. They prefer to work w/the Respironics devices. I talked to them when I was looking for a backup bi-level and had my Resmed S8 Elite and Respironics pre-M Series Auto for sale. I can call the local DME supplier here who told me how to contact them if you like. They might be willing, maybe, to sell you that sponge-foam like piece or pieces.

[DME Daddy]

If you have a stinky cpap and the external filters are clean, the smell is coming from internal noise dampening foam that has either picked up the smell from something like cigarettes or more frequently from water. The foam naturally picks ups small particles that get through the external filters. When the foam them gets wet (humidifier backflow is the main reason) bacteria moves in and the stink begins.

The solution is to split the cases and wash and I mean SCRUB the foam with lots of soap and elbow grease. Some machines have removable foam but most glue it in so it is hard to clean. Dry completly. Smell test. If not good spray with Fabreeze and let it sit. Retest. If needed completely repeat process. Eventually it will smell nice. Make sure it it completely dry before reassembly.

Ya the process stinks but that is what it takes.

[Slinky]

Gads!!! DON'T spray w/Febreze!!!!! OR ANY scented product. NOT EVEN gentle hospital disinfectant!!! Either that or you dibblety-darn well better like the scent enough to breathe in and smell the rest of your xPAP's life!

And if you do REMEMBER you can NEVER sell it as "odor free". There are those allergic or sensitive to "aromas", man-made "scents", potpouris, etc. "Natural aromas" don't mean diddley-squat to those of us w/these sensitivities and/or allergies.

[DME Daddy]

Anyone without experience working with electrical appliances should not open up a cpap. Don not get any of the electrical components wet! Slinky, I agree we don't want to add any scents. Fabreeze is sometimes the only way to get the stench out. When you wash three times and it still stinks, you get out the big gun. If you don't need it, don't use it.

[Babette]

I have no proof for what I'm about to say.

My former BF was a victim of formaldehyde poisoning at his workplace, due to a new carpet installation in his office. He lost his job, and 5 years of his life, as he was mentally incapacitated. He was never compensated for his illness in any way.

He became a freak about chemicals in the home and workplace. He forbid me to use Febreze anywhere in our home, because he claims it contains formaldehyde. He says many fragrance and air fresheners contain formaldehyde. It is an effective scent killer.

I became paranoid myself, and now won't use any "air fresheners" other than the Organic citrus spray.

You need to do your own research. But I would be very very leery of spraying any kind of product on your cpap machine, particularly Febreze.

Cheers,
Barbara

[rocketdork]

I wonder if Ozone would work to kill the smell. Its toxic to most bacteria (us too) but has a short life span. It works very well as a bleach too. I know one guy that uses it to get cigarette smoke smell from a car. Because its so reactive it doesn't just cover a smell, but actually destroys the molecules that cause odors.

Hot tub places sell machines that produce Ozone for use in hot tubs.

[6PtStar]

The foam naturally picks ups small particles that get through the external filters.

Sounds like a good reason to use the White Fine Filter!!

Jerry