CPAP machine life expectancy

ZZZz · Post by **ZZZz** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:35 pm

Hello,

Thanks for reading.
Can someone tell me what their life expectancy of a CPAP machine is - I'm looking to get the Fisher & Paykel 608 or 600. Generally for those of you who began using their CPAP machines for the first time, how long did you use the machine before replacing it?

2) Has anyone purchased a CPAP machine from the US and taken it for personal long term use overseas.

3) What, if any, consequences are there for long term use when the voltage between US and other countries are different; I was thinking of using an wall adaptor but unsure whether this might be too complicated

4) Is it worth doing since warranty isn't covered?

Thank you again. I'm stumped and would appreciate any opinions.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:53 pm

I heard the cpap's last around 5 years ( at least ) as long as they are taken care of properly. As far as taking them out of the Country, I don't have a clue, one of our forum pro's will come along here soon and fill you in! Goodluck

GreenIce · Post by **GreenIce** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:02 pm

1) I have not use Fisher & Paykel before, so I have no idea. Just use my APAP for 4 months now, can't tell how long it will last.

2) Yes, I bought from cpap.com and I am residing in South East Asia.

3) Should be no problem, most CPAP manufacturer design CPAP to be multi voltage. However it is best to check with specs before making purchase.

4) For me, a big yes. Where I am residing, the price for CPAP is too high, almost triple. If it fail to work, I will either send it back to cpap.com for repairs or buy a new one.

However there will no local (outside US) support if run into trouble. If I am looking for CPAP, I will look for a more popular brands like Respironics, Resmed and Puritan Bennett. The friendly folks on this board knows more about this machines and may able to help you.

ZZZz · Post by **ZZZz** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:03 pm

Thank you for your opinion. 5 years is a good amount of time.
I'll see what people can also advice me.
Thanks, I appreciate your reply

sgrol · Post by **sgrol** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:07 pm

Have had my Respironics unit since 2000. Use it every night. Hasn't skipped a beatt.

ZZZz · Post by **ZZZz** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:11 pm

Hi GreenIce,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It's great that you could order it from cpap.com. The price is definately excellent than south east asia.
I am sending this to Australia - so can you give me a rough idea of how much it was to send your cpap equipment to South East Asia?

I'm somewhat worried that shipping charges might be more than 100US and then customs might be another $100

Any thoughts?

Thank you

ZZZz · Post by **ZZZz** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:23 pm

That's fantastic that you've had your Respironics for 7 years.

Although the Respironics was the recommended machine, we tried the Fisher & Paykel because of the humidified air.
There is so much info out there it is so confusing.

sgrol · Post by **sgrol** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:51 pm

I have a humidifier attached to mine also. It's a seperate unit.

goose · Post by **goose** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:15 pm

There are some Australians that post here -- BillBolton and Blarg are two that come to mind directly -- perhaps they'd be able to advise on the shipping and/or customs.

You might want to edit the title of the post and add "Australia" in some way....

Good luck
cheers
goose

billbolton · Post by **billbolton** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:36 pm

ZZZz wrote:I am sending this to Australia - so can you give me a rough idea of how much it was to send your cpap equipment to South East Asia?

Price always depends of delivery method, weight and sometimes cubic volume. The raw postage on a typical CPAP machine, via USPS Expedited Air Service (which is trackable) should cost less than US$100 to Australia, however, the cost of packing from a commercial seller may push it over that amount.

ZZZz wrote:and then customs might be another $100?

If the customs declaration is correctly filled out and clearly states "CPAP medical equipment", you should not be charged any customs duty on entry of the package to Australia.

Re lack of local warranty..... if you really want to do that, you should also plan out exactly what you intend to do if your flow generator does have a failure. You may never need to excercise the plan, but if you don't have one you will quickly regret not doing so if you do experience a failure.

Cheers,

Bill

GreenIce · Post by **GreenIce** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 11:12 pm

In my case, cpap.com only use UPS for outside US shipping. I bought APAP+humidifier, mask and chinstrap. The total charges for shipping fee alone is USD155.00, it weight about 8lbs.

You can calculate rough estimation at ups.com, register, it is free. cpap.com is located at Houston, Texas USA, so from Houston to Sydney with 8lbs for example, you can check what is the shipping charges. Shop around with other online CPAP supplier, maybe they can use US postal which is cheaper. I think there is one aussie board member successfully bought APAP from the US.

Most Respironic xPAP do support humidifier or you can buy external humidifier.

sgrol · Post by **sgrol** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:17 am

I went and looked at the model of my machine and I was in error. It is a Resmed Sullivan V Lightweight and I have a standalone Resmed Sullivan Humidaire humidifier. Ironically, it is made in Sydney, Au. It has been a great machine. Started using it in June 2000. It is a little large to travel with compared to some of the models out now. I recently purchased a Goodnight 420G and love it. It is very small and light and is, for some reason or another, easier to exhale with. The Goodnight is $244 on CPAP.com and if I was to do it all over again, I would buy two Goodnight models. With one as a backup because I don't think I could sleep now without a CPAP machine. For humidification, I use a HC325 Replacement Water Chamber for HC100/150 Humidifiers ($15) and set it on top of a regular heating pad - poor man's heated humidifier - work's great and all are easy to slip into your suitcase for travel.

mtstromberg · Post by **mtstromberg** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 8:22 pm

I had what I was told was a used Devilbiss Horizon II for 10 years before I finally caught up with technology with a new machine. It actually still works, it's just loud, and out of date.

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:38 pm

I used an old Sullivan V for about eight years. It's still in the closet waiting to be plugged in. No telling how many thousands of hours are on that machine.

Rising Bear · Post by **Rising Bear** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:04 pm

I realize this thread is nearly 5 years old, but it is pertinent to my situation.

I am not on medicare, so the limits of their coverage are not relevant (yet). I have a 7 year old machine that makes more noise than it used to. Currently undergoing autotitration at home, and they tell me my old machine is still up to snuff. I got the machine under a different health insurance company and I cannot sleep without it, unless I fall out on the train or watching tv.

Even if my machine now measures up to the stated pressure, would I have any grounds for getting a new machine so I can continue to comply with treatment?

Thank you!

CPAP machine life expectancy

CPAP machine life expectancy

Re: CPAP machine life expectancy

Thanks for replying

GreenIce

Thanks Sgrol

Re: GreenIce

Re: GreenIce

Re: CPAP machine life expectancy

Machine	Mask

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Mask

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