How long will a machine last?

[dkeller]

Evaluating whether to get a "gently used" auto bipap or a new one. How long can one conservatively expect a machine to last before wanting to or having to replace it?

[Bill44133]

Well the warranty on most of the new machines is 2 years.

[Pugsy]

We never know...a new one could die next week or it could go 20,000 hours. You know how electronic things go.
My current machine had nearly 3,000 hours on it when I bought it and that was Dec 2013 and I have used it every night except 3 nights when traveling (used a different machine for travel) ever since then and it is still going strong. It's got some hours on it for sure by now but I haven't looked to see just how many.

[ChicagoGranny]

Evaluating whether to get a "gently used" auto bipap or a new one.

To get better advice from some of the experts here, state some details. Like what model machine, type of seller, how many hours on the used one, how you know it is "gently used", price of used machine and any other details you are aware of.

An evaluation of the type you are trying to make involves much more than the expected life of the machine.

[LSAT]

Most insurance will not allow a replacement until 5 years which is about 13,000 hours. Many machine will run much longer than that. You may, however, WANT a newer machine if the older model does not have the features you want or need.

[Oughtsix]

I have a 10 year old Fisher Paykel stupid CPAP that is still working fine. I have a 5 year old Series M that works but the humidifier heater died. I have no problem buying a later model used machine.

[RobertS975]

I have a Resmed S9 Elite... how do I find out total hours should I ever be interested?

[Wulfman...]

Evaluating whether to get a "gently used" auto bipap or a new one. How long can one conservatively expect a machine to last before wanting to or having to replace it?

If you don't already have a "backup" machine (and you've been on this therapy for any length of time), you're pushing your luck.
I used my first machine (without a backup) for about a year before I started buying "spares" and "backups". And, I was nervous the whole time. Then, a well-known forum member offered a lightly used APAP for sale (he was switching from Respironics to ResMed) and I jumped on it.

"Murphy's Laws" apply to this therapy too. If it can break, it will break and at the worst possible time. I had read too many horror stories in that first year of therapy to want to depend on only one machine. And, as it turned out, near the end of that first year, my first machine started developing a little "whine" in the motor as it changed speeds for my C-Flex exhale relief.......so, while it was still under warranty, I sent it in for repair after I had my backup machine.
Back then, it seemed that a number of people were accidentally pulling their machines off the nightstands during the night and that dumped water in them......which could be a death sentence for those older generations of machines if they weren't thoroughly dried out before starting them up again.


Den

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[Sleeprider]

I got over 6 years and nearly 20,000 hours out of my first M-Series Auto. Crazy not having a backup. I got a replacement PRS1 Auto in mid December with less than 200 hours on it, and have since added a PRS1 auto BiPAP, again with less than 200 hours. The used machines work great, just watch out for units owned in a smoking household. It can be very difficult to remove those odors.

[ChicagoGranny]

Crazy not having a backup.

What do you do when you travel?

[Drowsy Dancer]

Crazy not having a backup.

What do you do when you travel?

I don't think he was saying he doesn't have a backup, he was saying it is crazy not to have a backup. As I read his post he has several machines now.

I was on CPAP for three years before I bought my first backup machine. Looking back now that seems crazy. When I only had one machine I traveled with that machine.

[Sleeprider]

Crazy not having a backup.

What do you do when you travel?

I take a single machine with me, and hopefully remember to bring the power supply cord.

I'm not worried about the new machines, I was just commenting on the fact I went over 6 years with out a backup of any kind, and had a very high hours machine. I suspect there are many folks out there with outdated older equipment and don't appreciate how vulnerable it makes them. Replacement on short-notice would be expensive and inconvenient.

[Drowsy Dancer]

Crazy not having a backup.

What do you do when you travel?

I take a single machine with me, and hopefully remember to bring the power supply cord.

My former primary machine--the one the insurance company sort-of still owns--is now my travel/backup machine. I keep it completely packed for travel with a copy of my prescription, hose, nasal pillows, power cord, and a checklist. All I need to do is grab and go.

My former primary machine (a 550P) was acquired new in February 2011, and has 7,642 hours on it, all logged with me. It has the latest firmware.
My current primary machine (a 560P) was acquired via Craigslist in April 2014 and has about 2,500 hours on it, almost all logged with me.
My newest backup machine (another 550P) was acquired via Craiglist in September 2014 and has 1,398 hours on it, only 8 of which were logged with me. It has the old firmware. It's my backup backup.

None of the machines are showing any sign of wear. I favor the 560P because it has the heated hose plus silent mode; there aren't any enormous differences among these machines.

[ChicagoGranny]

travel with a copy of my prescription

I keep a copy of a prescription in the cloud. All I need is a browser and I can email the prescription to any local DME.

[ChicagoGranny]

Evaluating whether to get a "gently used" auto bipap or a new one. How long can one conservatively expect a machine to last before wanting to or having to replace it?

Sorry to get off-topic. Are you still around?