HELP! Still having Humidifier troubles!

[SleepyCPAP]

Dear 123.Shawn T.W.,

I'm sorry you are still suffering without humidification working right, and waking up to the machine beeping or flashing.

Does your SD card have an "e" folder with files ending with a .004 ? If so, the machine is logging errors.

This thread has an explanation of the error files:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=91178#p839409

--SleepyCPAP

[123.Shawn T.W.]

I could not find a place to store the wire connector end, so I just removed the whole heating element, with attached wires ... will atleast work in Passover mode for now ...

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Yes I have a few of those .004 files, but I can't open them ...

[SleepyCPAP]

... Yes I have a few of those .004 files, but I can't open them ...

You'd need a Hex editor to open them. I don't know what is out there for PC. On my Mac I am using "Hex Fiend."

--SleepyCPAP

[123.Shawn T.W.]

I used it last night in Flagstaff, AZ and used about 25% of the water with the heating element completely removed, atleast the blower went the whole night without shutting off! I normally use atleast 80% or more water, but 25% is much better than none, as that was HORRIBLE!

It doesn't "know" that it is even hooked up, as the wire connector is totally gone, it acts like it just has the little flat cover on!

I have a used PRS1 550 coming from second wind, should be delivered on Monday!

[Pugsy]

I normally use atleast 80% or more water, but 25% is much better than none, as that was HORRIBLE!

I am one of those people who also needs a lot of added moisture and if I were in your shoes I would be hard pressed to even use the machine even in passover mode. When I tried lower setting at 1 (early on in my therapy) my nasal mucosa got horribly dried out and it took 3 days to get them back to normal and about 3 times I forgot to fill the tank and it ran dry during the night and I had similar horrible nasal mucosa and sinus issues because of the lack of moisture.
I know it sounds bad but I prefer untreated OSA over the nasal and sinus issues that I had when the nasal mucosa got mad at me for letting them dry out.

Until you can get your new equipment...get something like Simply Saline and use it frequently during the day and in the evening to try to keep the nasal mucosa well hydrated.

[STL Mark]

Looking at the date on the bottom of the machine, is it over two years old? You may be able to swap it out as a warranty exchange through your DME if it is less than two years old.

If you have no options but to buy a new machine, I have the following units available.

Phillips/Respironics System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine - DS560. This is a new unit that has never been used. It is in perfect condition with the heated humidifier, humidifier tank, hose, power supply, SD card and travel case. The unit has never been exposed to a smoking environment. I will provide free shipping to a US address, or at cost shipping outside the US. References available upon request. $400

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Phillips/Respironics System One REMStar 60 Series BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex with zero hours DS760. This is a new unit that has never been used. It is in perfect condition with the heated humidifier, humidifier tank, hose, power supply, SD card and travel case. The unit has never been exposed to a smoking environment. I will provide free shipping to a US address, or at cost shipping outside the US. References available upon request. $600

[dieselgal]

When I started CPAP a few years ago I absolutely HAD to have the humidifier but strangely after a couple of years I used it less and less and probably after 3 years I quit using the humidifier at all because even if I liked a little moisture for my nose I felt more suffocated by the heaviness of the air. Not sure if it has to do with the type of machine I use but I use the IntelliPAP Standard Plus CPAP Machine with SmartFlex and I LOVE that machine. I tried 3 other machines before this one and never got the ease of breathing I get out of this one.

[123.Shawn T.W.]

Mostly it is just a dry mouth when I wake up, take a sip of water, swish around in my mouth ... I'm fine ... I don't have nose or sinus problems ... Probably because I am a mouth breather ...

Machine was built March 2010 ... Don't remember the day ...

I like the 50 series ... I have two humidifiers for it, and a 12 volt cord, so I have another auto coming from second wind, your 560 is a very good price though ...

[STL Mark]

I was noticing in the Respironics guide it talked about not using the DC cord while the vehicle is running. Which got me thinking the DC cord may be bypassing all the filtering that a standard power brick does. I noticed these power conditioners, I didn't know if your firm provided those since they don't want inverters used. It seemed as if they were made for the purpose.

Next time you are at home try the machine with the original power supply. It would be interesting to see if everything works fine when it is not on the DC power cord. This won't undo damage already done, but may supply a more stable power if that is all that is needed.

Good luck with your decisions.

[123.Shawn T.W.]

Unfortunatley my company will not allow any type of extra source of power ... Originally I was unplugging the cord when I wasn't using it ... But ... I'm quite forgetful! So ... I ended up leaving it plugged in a few times ... I did not notice any problems ... So I didn't bother to unplug it anymore!

I have been doing that for 10 months and 115,000 miles ...

Interestingly it was plugged into the power brick when it died/shutoff while I was home.

I had a long talk with a Respironics tech about using the 12 volt cord, as the manual states not to use it while the engine is running ... I explained that I was a truck driver and spent most of my life in a truck, all over the country, from summer in Phoenix, to winter in Bismark! I needed to run the truck to maintain a comfortable sleeping temp! (With engine idling voltage goes up to 13.8 volts!)

All he could say, and repeated it was "the devise is designed for 12 volts, no more" I tried to explain to him that a charged battery puts out 12.8 volts, and he said, no more than 12 volts ...

Ironically ... My power brick puts out 12.3 volts ...

[123.Shawn T.W.]

Although the power is plugged in while starting, I'm not actively using the blower motor ... When the power dips ... But it is plugged in while driving (13.8 volts) and if the temps are disagreeable, I try to sleep with it idling (13.8 volts) Maybe it got fried because of too much of a power swing ...

I am actively looking for a new job where I can be home every night, and sleep consitantly at the same time every night ... My last two Dr's and the last sleep tech told me that until I get my sleep hygiene cleaned up, even when have my OSA under control (its still a fight to get AHI under 5) that they are going to take my complaint of tired all the time, as the a inconsistent sleep schedule as the problem ... Which I'm sure doesn't help ... But I have had a very rigid structured sleep structure before, for years ... And still tired ... Goes back to when I was assaulted and knocked unconscious back in 1995 ...

I have an appointment with yet another new Dr this coming Mon, who specializes in over 45 yro patients, and getting to the bottom of unsolved problems ... Prayerfully he can help me, or refer me to the right person who can!

[john5757]

123.Shawn T.W.

I hope that you will get to the bottom of your tiredness soon. if I was a trucker I would add a DC capacitor line filter to the CPAP. The same kind used for radios to reduce the alternator noisy DC output. I think that you measure the DC output of your power brick at 12.3v which is under no load? Sounds like the CPAP and the humidifier going will reduce that a bit lower than 12.3v DC. Good luck!

[123.Shawn T.W.]

My second 550 I got used (less than 300 hrs) from secondwind died the same death last week!

2124 hours now ... Built 12/2010 ...

It still blows, but humidifier light blinks for 10 minutes ... Then the light goes out ... Still getting therapy AHI down in the 2.5-3.0 range takes 4-5 days to use a tank of water, but I feel fine with it, not gonna buy another one!

I presume it either doesn't like the road trips, or being plugged in all the time ... Something to keep in mind if your on the road a lot ...