CPAP Losing Power Momentarily

vrgsph · Post by **vrgsph** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:03 am

I have a one-month-old Respironics Series M C-Flex unit. Twice in the last week, I have noticed something odd about it.

Both times, I had put on my mask and was still watching/listening to TV until I was ready to fall-off to sleep. On these two occasions, I noticed that my airflow stopped, I breathed hard, and a moment later my unit beeped and the flow began again.

On the second instance, last night, I was better prepared to understand what was happening. I felt the air stop, I heard the unit stop, I heard the beep a second later, and the air returned another second later.

I cannot imagine that this is not a problem, but I wanted see if anyone else has experienced this. Since it is new, it has a warranty. I got it through insurance at a local DME.

Comments or Recommendations?

Oh, by the way, the TV and two clocks in the room never lost power on either ocassion -- therefore, I don't see it as a power blip.

ejfrankle · Post by **ejfrankle** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:25 am

I also have had this same thing happen to me. Usually when I first lay down it happens. I have the same machine as you which I just received about two weeks ago.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:54 am

Go into the therapy setup menu and see if "Auto off" is turned on. If it is, set "Auto off" to "off." That might stop the problem.

See Den's post about that setting:
viewtopic.php?t=28919

What was described in that thread is not what's happening with you all, but still... turning off auto off might remedy it. I guess you've already checked to be sure the power cord is well and truly seated everywhere it is connected.

If you need help getting into the therapy setup menu, look near the bottom of the page at this link:

http://www.cpap-supply.com/Articles.asp?ID=130

ejfrankle · Post by **ejfrankle** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:01 am

Thank you Rested Gal I will look at the settings when I get home.

vrgsph · Post by **vrgsph** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:30 am

Yes, thanks for the info, Rested Gal.

I think I read your stuff 3 or 4 years ago when I first started CPAP. It helped then, too.

By the way, I finally got my Two-Factor card reader. I think Obama was an unknown when I ordered it.

I have been using it with Encore Pro 1.8x and Encore Analyzer. The Pro is great for getting the data, but the Analyzer is the one I can use to understand the resultant data.

I would recommend it to anyone who has already spent the time and money to get a data capable Respironics.

On the power issue, I am certain that I turned Auto-Off Off when I got the unit, but maybe through playing around with it, I turned it back on. I'll check.

I'll post back if this does not fix it.

PocketDragonFriend · Post by **PocketDragonFriend** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 12:33 pm

I posted the same question over the weekend. Changing that setting as suggested solved the problem.

vrgsph · Post by **vrgsph** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 4:27 pm

I was really hoping this was my problem, however, my Auto-Off was Off.

I guess if it keeps happening, I'll take it back to my DME.

ejfrankle · Post by **ejfrankle** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:01 pm

My auto off was also off. Hope the machine doesn't have a problem.

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 11:27 pm

I know of at least 3 places where the power can be disconnected.

1. Plug at the wall - followed back towards machine -
2. where the wire plugs into the power supply (the plastic gizmo) -
3. then right where it plugs into the blower.

esp. 2 comes apart easy but usu. just stays OFF.
Not saying thats it - just more places to check.

Good Luck

ejfrankle · Post by **ejfrankle** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 6:35 am

My wife told me that last night the machine shut off at 11:15 pm about an hour and a half after I fell asleep. It started up again a second or two later but I can't believe that this is normal. Hopefully their is a solution to this.

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:34 am

This sounds soo much like the "Auto Off" feature already mentioned.
The other thing that could turn it OFF is a Large Leak (but that takes at least 1 minute). Make sure both those features are OFF.

By default "Auto ON" is set to ON and cannot be turned off. This is what is causing it to turn ON by itself.

ejfrankle wrote:My wife told me that last night the machine shut off at 11:15 pm about an hour and a half after I fell asleep. It started up again a second or two later but I can't believe that this is normal. Hopefully their is a solution to this.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:39 am

vrgsph wrote:......I breathed hard, and a moment later my unit beeped and the flow began again.

This is the part that's puzzling me.

What's causing the beep?

If the "Patient Alert" is also turned ON.......try turning it OFF, too.

I dunno.....

Den

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:41 am

Mine beeps when auto On is used to start the blower. Auto On cannot be changed.

My dad uses Auto Off - I have noticed there is a message on the LCD when it is shut off this way.

vrgsph · Post by **vrgsph** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:31 pm

Wulf,

I'll have to test this statement when I get home, -- I think when you plug in the power cord to the unit, it makes a single beep.

Like I've said above, I feel the air stop, I hear the blower stop, I see the room darken (The 3 lights on top go out), a second later, I hear a beep, see purple/blue lights and the air starts back. This all happens in a span of, maybe, 3 or 4 seconds.

I am wondering if there is a floating short in the unit. This is why I asked you guys to comment -- to see if there is something different that may be causing the issue. When EJFRANKLE made his comment about experiencing the same condition, it made me wonder if there is a quality control issue with the latest batch of these units. I'm not knocking the unit or Respironics -- everyone has issues from time to time.

I tried to find a support/customer service email address for Respironics. I would like to just send them the information from me and EJFRANKLE. I don't expect them to intercede as I am sure they will direct me to my point of purchase (DME). My interest would be just to inform them of a potential quality control issue.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:38 pm

vrgsph wrote:Wulf,

I'll have to test this statement when I get home, -- I think when you plug in the power cord to the unit, it makes a single beep.

Like I've said above, I feel the air stop, I hear the blower stop, I see the room darken (The 3 lights on top go out), a second later, I hear a beep, see purple/blue lights and the air starts back. This all happens in a span of, maybe, 3 or 4 seconds.

I am wondering if there is a floating short in the unit. This is why I asked you guys to comment -- to see if there is something different that may be causing the issue. When EJFRANKLE made his comment about experiencing the same condition, it made me wonder if there is a quality control issue with the latest batch of these units. I'm not knocking the unit or Respironics -- everyone has issues from time to time.

I tried to find a support/customer service email address for Respironics. I would like to just send them the information from me and EJFRANKLE. I don't expect them to intercede as I am sure they will direct me to my point of purchase (DME). My interest would be just to inform them of a potential quality control issue.

That does sound like a power short or disconection. Maybe Respironics used the same manufacturer that resulted in ResMed's giant recall?

Check to make sure the power cord(s) have a snug fit.

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