Traveling with CPAP

[jd7540]

My husband has a cpap machine and overtime we travel it doesn't work when we get to the hotel. We make sure it doesn't move or get turned over and keep it very secure. When we get somewhere and plug it in, it doesn't work. It is really ruining any trip we make because it won't come on. It has come on after a couple days but what could be the problem. We have read and did every advice we have found. We put it out in the sun incase there was water somewhere, we checked the filter. We took out the chip and reinsert it. I am at a loss as to why this is happening. Please help if you can.

[LSAT]

My husband has a cpap machine and overtime we travel it doesn't work when we get to the hotel. We make sure it doesn't move or get turned over and keep it very secure. When we get somewhere and plug it in, it doesn't work. It is really ruining any trip we make because it won't come on. It has come on after a couple days but what could be the problem. We have read and did every advice we have found. We put it out in the sun incase there was water somewhere, we checked the filter. We took out the chip and reinsert it. I am at a loss as to why this is happening. Please help if you can.

You are saying that it works at home, but does not work anywhere else

[Pap-Daddy]

Start with the exact make and model of your cpap as written on the machine. Also there should be a model # on the bottom of the machine.

[Julie]

Hope you're not referring to travel overseas where special adaptor plugs are needed to suit their wall outlets because voltage/wattage is different.

[cands]

Hope you're not referring to travel overseas where special adaptor plugs are needed to suit their wall outlets because voltage/wattage is different.

Just to be clear, the adaptor plugs have nothing to do with 'voltage/wattage'. The power supply 'brick' will automatically adjust to most, if not all countries' power voltage and frequency (wattage is not relevant). The adaptor plugs just allow you to connect to the power supply. It would be a bit difficult without them to put say a US style plug into a UK style outlet!

This can be confirmed once the OP provides the exact make and model of the machine.

[D. H.]

This description sounds like you go on vacation the machine doesn't work. You come home and it works fine. It also sounds like this happened more than once.

If this is the case, see if it works in another room.

Possibly, you're not taking some critical component but when you get back home, the component is there.

[jd7540]

Fisher &Paykel
icon series Humidified CPAP
I posted a couple days ago and am home now, and it is still not working. I have thought of everything mentioned and have tried plugging it in another room and it still does not come on. Thank you all for replying and sorry I was not clear. ....... I am not traveling over seas. This weekend we only drove a couple hours from home. It didn't work there and it is not working at home either. Is there maybe a censor or something that could go out? I had done research that first time this happened, and it was suggested maybe moisture had gotten into the machine so we put it out in the sun for a day while we were there. Well after that, I plugged it back in for an hour or so, it came on. Then when we got home, it did come on but again it took while before it began to work. Now it does not come on. Its now 4 nights and I cannot sleep without it. I will bring it into the store tomorrow and hopefully it will not be anything too serious. If anyone of you have ever experienced this before and have insight, please share. Thanks again to all who have taken the time to help me. God Bless you all.

[Guest]

hopefully you are emptying the water chamber before you pack this right?

[chunkyfrog]

We have stayed in hotels where some of the outlets are wired to the wall switch.
To make sure the cpap works, I unplug the damn CLOCK, and use that outlet.

[Pap-Daddy]

We have stayed in hotels where some of the outlets are wired to the wall switch.
To make sure the cpap works, I unplug the damn CLOCK, and use that outlet.

Good call. I always bring a nite lite to check those things out and a power string for all my other gadgets.

[jd7540]

Yes and dry it completely. I have never traveled with any water in the chamber.

[BlackSpinner]

"It's dead Jim"
Go to your DME and get a new one.

[Hose_Head]

BEFORE spending money on a new machine, check the fuses in the cpap. Also check the power cord and power transformer (you may need help to do this if you don't have a multi-meter). If these things check out OK, then look for a problem with the cpap (take it to a DME).

[D.H.]

OK, this does not sound like “it works here but not there.” It sounds more like it works sometimes and not other times.

One thing I can suggest is that once you get it to power on, just leave it on (24/7) until you have to take it out of the house for repair or inspection.

If you live in the U.S., most insurances will pay for a replacement CPAP after five years. If you live in Canada or elsewhere, the guidelines might be different.

Furthermore, your sleep clinic (where you were diagnosed) might be able to give you a loaner in the meanwhile (make sure they set it for your pressure prescription).

[Hose_Head]

OK, this does not sound like “it works here but not there.” It sounds more like it works sometimes and not other times.

.... .

If it truly is an intermittent problem the first thing that I would look for is a loose connection in the power cord. Check the transformer, too.