Rainout Idea

Stop me if anyone's thought of this.

Why wouldn't it be possible to build an alternate power supply for this;

https://www.cpap.com/viewImage.php?PNum ... coiled.jpg

Notice, it's just a matter of a couple little contacts on one end of the tube. If someone on here had a SleepStyle 600, and would be willing to take some volt/current measurements at the connector on the unit, I'm sure a supply and connector could be hacked together simply and cheaply. Suddenly, everyone could have a proper heated tube. (No offense intended to the reptile-tank-hose-hackers.)

I was thinking on the same lines, but it looks like an air adapter may also be needed. I would also ask if the machine end of the hose can be connected to a standard hose fitting.

In the meanwhile, my lizard heater works great!

I will pickup my old machine from other home and test. I believe that the hose fittings or the same.

M.

sronsen wrote:In the meanwhile, my lizard heater works great!

I was thinking of going that route. I even ordered the reptile heater and may yet try it. With the help of a seamstress, I devised my own hose-sock with an inner layer of insul-brite (http://www.warmcompany.com/ibpage.html) and an outer layer of fleece. I even put an extra 12" at the mask-end, and installed a zipper to accommodate the extra hose on my Opus 360. (And yes, believe it or not, I've been on *PAP for one week as of today.) It fits my setup perfectly, and works well to reduce the problem. Thing is, even these relatively lightweight materials are increasing the weight of the hose enough to compromise the fit of the Opus - it being very lightweight. I think a reptile heater added on top of all this would make the thing useless. Consequently, I'm getting really motivated to figure out a solution that doesn't add so much weight to the hoses.

Carvallo - Padacheek of this forum makes triple layer fleece hose covers that work REALLY WELL for me. They don't seem any heavier to me. But then, I have a mask that allows me to route my hose over my head and off my pillow, then along the top of the bed to the machine. Your mask might not allow for that.

http://www.padacheek.com

She will make you anything you want. She's very imaginative and comes up with great ideas.

Also, if you want to try the Nasal Aire II, see my links below in my signature block.

Great ideas!!!! I'm really impressed with your imagination and energy when on the hose only one week. You must not be as sleep deprived as I was at the beginning.

Cheers,
Barbara

I have no basis for comparison, naturally, but I felt awful. Gravity was my enemy. I'd routinely fall asleep at my desk at work. I'd forget things from moments ago. Other things were beginning to go wrong as well. All this came on so slowly (years? decades?) that I hardly noticed until it got particularly bad. Within just a few days on *PAP, everything was different. Not perfect, but noticeable, and my numbers aren't even all that good yet.

Anyway, yeah - I saw the people online selling various hose-cozies. I'm sure the products are wonderful and wouldn't wish to deprive anyone of business, but a long tube of fleece I can easily make myself. I'm very familiar with expending a little effort to save a little money.

However, my Opus does come with a little strap allowing it to route the hose over one's head. I may just try that. Thanks!

Cavallo wrote: However, my Opus does come with a little strap allowing it to route the hose over one's head. I may just try that. Thanks!

I use "command" hooks and thin elastic headbands (dollar general store 5 for $1) looped around my hose and placed on the hook on my headboard. Cheap and easily adjustable.
I used a fleece scarf from Old Navy for my hose huggy (I lost the hat that matched it anyway, LOL) secured it with rubberbands at first now self-sticking velcro.

-Paula

Cavallo, I've been impressed with your posts, your writing, and your intelligent approach to treatment ever since wayyyyyy back here on Nov 13.

viewtopic/t46807/viewtopic.php?p=419067#p419067

There was no doubt in my mind that you were a "CPAP-Success-In-The-Making"!

Thought the same about YawnGirl, sronsen, and several other relative newcomers to the board.

Good to see creative lab rats (that's a compliment, btw) busy at work.

rested gal wrote:Good to see creative lab rats (that's a compliment, btw) busy at work.

Thanks, RG. My training is in EE, and my current job is in IT. I'm basically programmed to solve technical problems. If I can't find the tools to do so, the obvious solution is to make the tools. Let's hope I don't make a tool of myself.

rested gal wrote:Thought the same about YawnGirl, sronsen, and several other relative newcomers to the board.

Good to see creative lab rats (that's a compliment, btw) busy at work.

Thanks! Perhaps we need an "on the cheap" thread to promote our "thrifty" solutions to Cpap "technical difficulties".