What is the correct filter for ResMed S8 AutoSet II

[JayC]

Specs in manual say blue/white

DME sends me yellow/white....which I can tell is different with my eyes closed. (Last time they did this, they found the blue/white "somewhere" when I complained, and sent them along...)

"This is what we send to all our customers..." or "The guy in whe warehouse says you can use this one..." is NOT enough for me to put such a filter in expensive equipment which I am on the way to owning and will have to live with and wait 5 years to replace if something messes up.

So, any ideas on researching this? I called DME and is calling ResMed. I impressed on her that I needed to see it in writing if she was going to tell me that the yellow/whites were up to spec for my machine.

Suggestions...?

J

[jnk]

Well, you can insist on ResMed branded filters, I guess. But it seems that the aftermarket (non-ResMed brand) filters for the S8's may be either blue or yellow:

"These filters, depending on the lot when purchased, can be blue or yellow. The effectiveness or quality is the same regardless of the color."--https://www.cpap.com/productpage/s8-esc ... lters.html

Personally, I decided to just go with the cpap.com branded filters. But I respect the choice to insist on ResMed brand filters.

ResMed also makes a hypo filter for the S8's, too, I believe. I"m not sure what color those are, though.

[JayC]

Thanks, jnk!

I am not opposed to using aftermarket/non-branded filters. The quote you posted helps me some....

I am more concerned with being told (with no evidence) that an item is up to the necessary filtration specs so that I don't damage my expensive equipment using a filter that "looks like" it is the same. Know what I mean?

Even nonbranded would have a spec letter somewhere, right? That's really all it would take for me to believe my DME on this.... And they have been wrong about many things big and small in what various employees have told me about my equipment and therapy.

"...Because I said so...." never worked for me as a kid, either <wink>

J

[jnk]

I agree that one should not trust one's DME on most things and that filters matter. Dusty air would probably be worse for you than for the machine. But I compared my ResMed branded filter with the one I got and it looked close enough to me. The package the filters came in said S8 on it, so that was good enough for me.

I did consider going for ResMed branded hypo filters at one point. But since my allergies have been better since starting CPAP, and my bedroom is air-conditioned already with very little dust, I figured I'd just go cheap unless my allergies act up later.

If you wanted to search more on ResMed brand filters, you could google "ResMed" and part numbers 33915 and 33919 to compare the regular with the hypo.

[birdshell]

I have had only blue and white filters sent to me by my supplier, but that doesn't mean the next batch WON'T be generic ones.

However, with the less-than-sterling reputation of one brick and mortar DME provider in my area, I understand your hesitation. Based on the reputation of cpap.com, I should think that you would be safe to use their generic filters.

Just to be certain, you may wish to check with ResMed. When I first started out and had a question about my use of tap water vs. distilled water, they answered my e-mail quite quickly.

Best to you,
Karen
Who just likes the color of blue better than yellow

[hobbs]

From my experience, try the hypo filters for one cycle and note how much darker they get. You will never use the standard filter again!

[ziggytosh]

I agree that one should not trust one's DME on most things and that filters matter. Dusty air would probably be worse for you than for the machine. But I compared my ResMed branded filter with the one I got and it looked close enough to me. The package the filters came in said S8 on it, so that was good enough for me.

Sounds about right to me too. I was looking for some backup filters on eBay and found both yellow/white and blue/white ones for pretty much the same price (a dozen for $12, including shipping). But the listings both say "compatible" with ResMed, regardless of color, so they're probably all aftermarket. I just got them as backups. My DME is supposed to send me new ones every three months -- is that often enough? How often are you supposed to change the filter anyway?

[jnk]

. . . How often are you supposed to change the filter anyway? . . .

My manual says every six months for my VPAP Auto. It should say in your manual. But practically speaking, I would think it might have a lot to do with how dusty of an environment the machine is working in. I would want to change filters more often if it was in a dusty corner.

The guy from my now-former DME said the thing to do was to take the filter out and flick it with your finger a few times regularly to clean the dust off it, then put the same filter back in. That's his opinion, not mine. To my mind, if I take the filter out, flick it, and see dust fly off of the filter, that means it is time to change the filter, even if it has only been a few months--not time to put the same filter back in. That's my opinion, not his.

Hobbs now has me wishing I'd got hypo ResMed filters!

[JayC]

jnk:

Since CPAP.com is listed as the mfg of those filters referenced in the blurb quoting Johnny, I would be fine with such a written statement. As "the boss", he is in control of products being reliable and up to proper specifications when he makes purchasing/design/manufacturing decisions.

I don't know who manufactures the filters sent to me from my DME. I don't know if proper specs have been followed. I don't know way too much......so I'm not inclined to cave and say, "ok, if you say so..." to the DME.... my sleep buddy is expensive, has to last at least 5 years, and I have mold/sinus issues I want to keep under control so I can use my nasal pillows nightly! What they are sending might be fine/just "generic". Spec sheet from the source of the product should confirm that.

DME called back....too much of a rig-a-marole (their word) to get the engineers at ResMed to say the filters are up to spec. So they bought a bunch of the blue/white ones to send specially to me when I order my 2 per month alotment. (Gotta love insurance schedules...!!)

Solves that issues, but, somehow, I have even less faith in my DME. What about all the other users who are not getting this special treatment to shut me up (so to speak)?

J

[Bearded_One]

In the past 14+ years I seldom got OEM filters; the aftermarket ones seem to work just fine.

The S8 manual I read said something to the effect to check the filter monthly and to replace it if it had a hole or was dirty, and that a filter usually lasts six about months.

[guest13]

The yellow and white filters are "generic" filters, so are most of the "blue and white filters". These filters are ok to use with the s8 units. I would change my filter every 4-6 weeks. "Flicking: the filter gets rid of the bigger pieces in between changing the filters. If you start seeing dust specks on the read out screen, you've waited to long to change the filters.

[wongnog]

How often are you supposed to replace the disposable filters on the S8 Elite II? My DME gave me a checklist for when to replace the various CPAP accessories, and for filters she crossed out where it said "monthly" and simply wrote "4". Or maybe "H"? I really should go back to the supplier and ask but I figured I'd ask here first.

[jnk]

How often are you supposed to replace the disposable filters on the S8 Elite II? My DME gave me a checklist for when to replace the various CPAP accessories, and for filters she crossed out where it said "monthly" and simply wrote "4". Or maybe "H"? I really should go back to the supplier and ask but I figured I'd ask here first.

Answer:

"Monthly . . . Check the air filter for holes and blockage by dirt. Replace it every six months, or
more often in a dusty environment."--http://www.resmed.com/en-us/assets/docu ... -multi.pdf

[Slinky]

Okay, just to add some fun to the mix: as I remember it (too lazy too look) my Resmed manuals have always said change the filter every six months (or more often as necessary) AND the manuals have always said "blue side out" (or is it "in"??). BUT when I bought some filters online the description/instructions say to place the blue side IN!(or was it "out"??) Maybe it was vice versa - Resmed in/after market out.

Now - it is EASY to corn-fuse this ole broad. And I can't tell from looking at my original Resmed filter (which I saved so I'd know) from those I bought online. BUT you can tell by the texture and visual of the filters which side matches the texture of the Resmed blue side so that is how I remember it, regardless of which filters I get, Resmed or aftermarket.

[jnk]

According to cpap.com:

"When replacing these with your old filters, the blue/yellow side faces OUT and the white side faces IN." -- https://www.cpap.com/productpage/s8-esc ... lters.html

As confirmed by ResMed manual:

"Insert a new filter with the blue tinted side facing out from the device." --http://www.resmed.com/en-us/assets/docu ... -multi.pdf