REMstar Auto C-Flex whine - repair or replace?

sinemac · Post by **sinemac** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:27 pm

I've been using a REMstar Auto C-Flex for quite a while, and like having both the auto pap function and the c-flex... but over the last couple of months the machine has been making a whining sound with every inhale/exhale that is quite annoying. It seems to be getting louder, as I'm now having trouble getting to sleep, and my wife is also beginning to complain about it (it's now almost as bad for her as my snoring was).

I don't mind the sound of the airflow/exhaust, but the whine is driving me nuts!

Is this something that's a problem with the machine that could be fixed? If so, is it worth fixing? And where would I take/send it?

Or should I consider replacing it? If so, do you have any suggestions for a machine with similar functionality (or perhaps just an APAP) that's nice and quiet?

Thanks,
Scott

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:34 pm

First off, Respronics will not except it from you, even if it is just for repair and even if it is in warrenty. You are going to have to have a DME send it in. I would try to get it fixed if it was mine. the most it would cost would be the shipping and postage to send it in. I would think that replacing the blower would not cost more than it is worth. Several have posted that if the board goes out it costs more to fix it than you could buy another one for.

Jerry

sinemac · Post by **sinemac** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:51 pm

Thanks, Jerry.

Unfortunately, it is out of warranty... I just looked up my info and found that I bought it from cpap.com in Dec. 2004.

So, I guess I'll need to contact cpap.com to find out about the procedures for determining if it's worth fixing.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:36 pm

Got a backup machine?

My Pro 2 developed a little "wheeze" in the C-Flex at about a year, but it was still under warranty, so I waited till Sept. of '06 to send it in (thru CPAP.COM).

I'm guessing it might be around $100 plus shipping, based on another question I asked Adam at CPAP.COM the other day. But, give him a call and see if he can give you a little more of a ballpark figure.
It might only be a little dust build-up on the fan and throwing it out of balance.

Den

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 8:44 pm

Then again it may be a normal part of it getting older, maybe XPAP treatment has improved your hearing. You might set it to CPAP, ansd see if you like that noise better. Mine seems to be getting louder to at 4,000 blower hours, it seems to be the mask. Jim

Before I spent $100 on it I would get a new one. Odds are I would use it until it couldn't blow the leafs off the bed.

sinemac · Post by **sinemac** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 5:34 pm

After doing a little more reading, I decided to try disabling the CFLEX function, so it's working now as a straight APAP... and the whine is noticeably less. So, for now I'll probably leave well enough alone.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:17 pm

You also need the software and reader so you can monitor how your treatment is working, it can also show if strange things are happening with the unit. Jim

Otherwise you need a manometer to make sure output stays correct.