OT: Somewhat - Respironics 02 Concentrator

[Slinky]

Well, timing seems a little off by about 4 months but my local DME provider called yesterday. They wanted to come out and bring me a brand new 5L 02 concentrator since its been 5 years since I started on 02 and I'm eligible for a new one. Hmmm. Interesting. I didn't think we just "automatically" got a new one every 5 years .... I wonder if we do for CPAPs and bi-levels via this provider??? Yeah, right.

Actually, I originally was provided w/a used DeVilbiss 5L concentrator and the old gal ran faithfully w/no problems up until very late last year or early this year when she died on me. At 9PM on a Saturday night. They were out w/in a 1/2 hour w/a used Invacare 5L concentrator. Which didn't last too long as it died a couple of months ago and they replaced it w/another used 5L DeVilbiss.

What they brought was a brand new (5 hours on it) Respironics EverFlo 5L concentrator. WOW! QUIET as compared to the others. SMALLER as compared to the others. AND doesn't throw anyway near as much heat. I could run this PR concentrator in my bedroom and not have any problems w/noise. Sure couldn't say that about the 3 previous models mentioned above!!!

I may mumble and grumble about PR's data software engineers and resulting data software, etc. but I can't complain about the therapy their PR S1 BPAP Auto is providing and I sure can't complain about this EverFlo 5L 02 concentrator!!! I'm not real confident in their filter system tho. The DeVilbiss and Invacare concentrators both had external filters that I had to clean on a regular basis. (And w/40+ years of lots of dog hair and cat hair and a forced air furnace add-on wood burner use, believe me, those filters HAD to be cleaned on a FREQUENT basis!) This EverFlo has no external filters to clean. It will be interesting to see just how dirty the internal filer is going to be when my provider comes out for the routine 6 month maintenance check!!! And how long this EverFlo will be able to last given the dog hair, cat hair and furnace duct dust in this house!!!

AND I FINALLY have my desktop back and am able to retire my antique laptop, this time for good methinks. It is so S-L-O-W and has been so aggravating to use ... this desk top and slow speed dial up seem like speed demons today!!! DEFINITELY saving my pennies for a new laptop!

[REF]

Slinky,
My wife has the Respironics EverFlo 5L concentrator and has been using it for over a year. I think on the side there is a panel that has a bunch of holes in it, you can remove it and clean under it. I do this about every three months. It is realy quiet and smaller then the other ones....

[Slinky]

Thanks, Ref. Yep. I am delighted w/how much smaller and quieter this EverFlow is that the two older models from the other manufacturers. And cooler too, doesn't throw anywhere near as much heat as they did.

I mentioned the filter situation to him and he showed me where the internal filter was and I figure I'll check it once a month and clean it as best I can as needed.