Does your Bipap auto SV run warm?

[wearysoul]

I have a question that may seem a bit nutty, but I'm concerned because the machine I'm using is so expensive and I want to keep it in good shape.

Recently, I thought I wasn't getting as much air as I normally do with my Bipap auto SV. I also noticed that the outer surface of the machine, on the side opposite the on/off switch, felt very warm. And it occurred to me that maybe I needed to check/change the filters. Maybe the motor was straining to pull enough air through the intake and that was causing it to overheat.

Both filters were moderately soiled and I changed them. However, the machine continues to feel rather warm. Maybe it has always run this warm while in use and I just haven't noticed until now.

If you use a Bipap auto SV, I'd love to know if you've noticed your machine getting very warm. If so, then I guess I have nothing to worry about . . . it's normal. If your machine stays cool, then maybe I need to have mine checked out.

Thanks.

[rested gal]

I don't have an SV, but my regular BiPAP Auto feels very warm at a particular area of the surface when running. Other "cpap" machines I have, get quite warm on certain areas. I figure that's normal, but I don't know that for a fact.

[dsm]

I have a question that may seem a bit nutty, but I'm concerned because the machine I'm using is so expensive and I want to keep it in good shape.

Recently, I thought I wasn't getting as much air as I normally do with my Bipap auto SV. I also noticed that the outer surface of the machine, on the side opposite the on/off switch, felt very warm. And it occurred to me that maybe I needed to check/change the filters. Maybe the motor was straining to pull enough air through the intake and that was causing it to overheat.

Both filters were moderately soiled and I changed them. However, the machine continues to feel rather warm. Maybe it has always run this warm while in use and I just haven't noticed until now.

If you use a Bipap auto SV, I'd love to know if you've noticed your machine getting very warm. If so, then I guess I have nothing to worry about . . . it's normal. If your machine stays cool, then maybe I need to have mine checked out.

Thanks.

WearySoul

The Bipap Auto SV internally is similar to these other older tank style Respironics machines ...

Bipap Pro II
Bipap Auto (with BiFlex)
Bipap S/T

All have a fixed speed motor, all have an air valve that controls the air coming from the fixed speed blower. The blower motor airflow output is split into 2 paths inside the machine by the 'airvalve'. 1 path flows back into the in blower motor input & path 2 flows out to the patient. The Airvalve can adjust the direction of flow between these two paths at incredible speed. The airvalve is powered by a coil & has a magnet built into it. It is towards the back of the machine.

See these pics (choose 21-24 ) which show the insides of a Bipap S/T as they are identical to to the Bipap Auto SV. (Click on any image & navigate until pic 21 of 24 shows, then look at 12,22,23 & 24)

http://www.internetage.ws/cpapinfo/bipaps-3-1/

My machines don't run hot but my Vpap Adapt SV does get quite warm so I am thinking you may indeed have a problem.

The area of the machine you say is getting hot, if it is a problem, is as I gather from you, opposite to the start/stop button - the button on the left side toward the front that sets the motor running and near to where the air exits, then it has to be caused by the circuit board as the blower motor sits close to the on off button & the air valve sits at the back of the machine. The chips and the current controlling transistors that control the motor are roughly where I think you are talking about & if there is abnormal heat coming from that part of the machine, I would see them as the likely cause.

I would suggest taking the machine in for a check if you can. Overheating can get nasty.

Good luck

DSM

-2
Picture 24 shows what I believe are the blower motor current controlling devices on the top edge of the motherboard & adjacent to the cutout that allows room for the air exit port. There are 6 of them around that edge.

On the top edge of the motherboard in pic 24, you can see a white 2-wire socket that the motor plugs into, it sits between 4 current controllers on the top edge.

They are what I think might be getting too hot.

D

-3
Also, look at pic 17 of 24, on the left side you will again see 6 small current controller devices & between the 4 on the upper edge, the motor connector socket.

Also, if these are the cause of the heat, & you also say less air seems to be flowing, it could well be that the blower motor is seizing up - I have seen this happen when water got into the air exit port & started to rust the blower bearings). That would put an extra load on the motor current controllers.

Act soon !

D

[OutaSync]

WearySoul,

I meant to feel mine when I got up this morning, but I forgot. Sorry.

[BleepingBeauty]

WearySoul,

I meant to feel mine when I got up this morning, but I forgot. Sorry.

Ditto. I'll try to remember to do that tomorrow.

[JohnBFisher]

I would offer to check, but I have a ResMed unit. However, every xPAP device I have owned had some "warm" spots on them. Typically it was near the transformer in the unit, which converts power from one format to another. But it can be other components that warm up. But, when in doubt, it's a good thing to check.

[wearysoul]

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. And a special thanks to DSM for such a useful and detailed reply. I looked at the pics and I think you correctly identified the area of the machine that seems warm. Your idea that the warmth may be coming from the motor current controllers sounds reasonable. However, I can't imagine what I might have done that could have allowed water to get into the air exit port. I'm pretty obsessive/compulsive about my procedures for managing this machine.

As much as I hate to have further dealings with my DME, I'll call him tomorrow and ask about bringing my machine in for a check up. I'll let you all know the results.

[dsm]

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. And a special thanks to DSM for such a useful and detailed reply. I looked at the pics and I think you correctly identified the area of the machine that seems warm. Your idea that the warmth may be coming from the motor current controllers sounds reasonable. However, I can't imagine what I might have done that could have allowed water to get into the air exit port. I'm pretty obsessive/compulsive about my procedures for managing this machine.

As much as I hate to have further dealings with my DME, I'll call him tomorrow and ask about bringing my machine in for a check up. I'll let you all know the results.

WearySoul,

Hopefully my concern re the motor proves unfounded. It just caught my attention that the part you mentioned as being hot combined with the belief there wasn't as much air flowing, immediately rang alarm bells for me.

Good luck

DSM

[BleepingBeauty]

I remembered to check my machine this morning. After eight hours of sleep, the area behind the air output (on the right side of the machine) was warm to the touch, but nowhere near warm enough to cause any concern on my part.

Not long ago, I had a charger for my xPAP battery that was overheating; it got so hot that I couldn't touch it for more than a few seconds at a time, so I replaced it. In comparison, the warmth of my BiPAP ASV feels quite normal.

wearysoul, I hope the problem with your machine is resolved quickly. Please let us know what you find out.

[OutaSync]

BB,

I'm glad that one of us remembered to check. I forgot, again.

Bev

[timbalionguy]

Thanks for the pictures, DSM. I learned a lot from studying them.

[dsm]

Thanks for the pictures, DSM. I learned a lot from studying them.

Timbalionguy

I am sure you will find these even more informative ...

1st one (Bipap Pro II) shows the insides of the fixed speed blower motor that feeds the air to the air valve.
2nd one shows the insides of the tank style Remstar Auto ...
3rd one shows the insides of my beloved PB330 (one lovely machine) ...


http://www.internetage.ws/cpapinfo/remstar-bipap-dis-1/

http://www.internetage.ws/cpapinfo/remstar-auto-dis-1/

http://www.internetage.ws/cpapinfo/pb330_dis-1/

[BleepingBeauty]

BB,

I'm glad that one of us remembered to check. I forgot, again.

Bev

My therapy is going much better these days, and my memory has improved (yay!). But in the past, I learned to rely on Post-It Notes, and they come in very handy as little reminders. Stick one on the machine tonight, Bev.

[JohnBFisher]

... and my memory has improved (yay!). But in the past, I learned to rely on Post-It Notes, and they come in very handy as little reminders...

Long ago as the complexity of my work increased, I had to become better at my time management. As I did so, I rapidly learned there is a lot of truth in an old Chinese proverb:

The faintest ink is more powerful than the strongest memory.

[wearysoul]

I took my machine in to my DME provider's office today and explained my concerns. I told him about feeling that I wasn't getting as much air and I showed him the area of the machine that gets extremely warm after it has been running a while. He seemed genuinely concerned but it was clear he didn't know as much about the innards of the machine as you do, DSM.

I showed him my mask. He thought the cushion was beginning to get floppy. And he suggested that the mask might not be sealing as well as it should, which he said would force the machine to work harder to compensate and thereby cause it to produce more heat. I had been thinking that it was about time to replace my cushion, but I'm not totally convinced that a weak cushion is a plausible explanation for a warmer machine operating temperature.

He's ordering a new cushion for me and we'll see if it changes anything. He did reassure me that if the machine should fail, it would be replaced at no charge. So I was very relieved to hear that!

I should have the new cushion in a few days. I'll let you know if it helps or if anything else changes. In the meantime, thanks to you all for your input!

wearysoul