Water in the flow sensor - not a good thing!

My REMStar Auto CFlex functioned flawlessly until one day last month when I sensed that it was no longer automatically increasing the pressure above the minimum 4. At first I thought, "My apnea has been cured!" But my bedmate soon disabused me of that notion and assured me that I was back to almost as many apnea incidents as before I started CPAP.

We were in Mexico on vacation and I didn't have access to the SmartCard data which I hoped might shed some light on what was happening. In the interim, I changed the setting from Auto to standard CPAP, ramping up from 4 to 10. It seemed to work, but not nearly as well or as comfortably as it had done in auto mode.

When we got home, I took a look at the SmartCard data and, sure enough, for the past couple of weeks, the pressure had never risen above 4. But what was really surprising: it showed that the device had only been turned on for 2 minutes a day! In fact, I had been wearing the mask with the machine running (loafing along at 4) for an average of 6 hours per day.

I called CPAP.COM and they said I would have to send the unit back to them for assessment and repair - a three week turnaround. I live in Canada and it took 2 weeks to get the machine from them in the first place. So 2 weeks to get it back to them, plus at least 3 weeks in their hands, plus another 2 weeks for the return trip - it was beginning to look as though I might be without my new best friend for as much as 2 months.

Well, that was intolerable. I decided to call the manufacturer, Respironics. What a breath of fresh air! I described my problem to the support guy who answered the phone.

"Do you have the heated humidifier", he asked.

"Yep, I do"

"Sounds like some water has got into the unit from the humidifier and blocked the flow sensor tube."

That rang some bells for me. I had travelled with the humidifier attached to the CPAP. Of course, I had emptied the reservoir first but it was not completely dry, and it was possible that a few drops might have dribbled back into the CPAP itself.

"That could do it," said the Respironics guy. "It doesn't take much water. The sensor tube is only 1 or 2 millimeters in diameter."

I got the feeling that I could probably fix this myself but he cautioned me that, if I opened up the unit, I would void the warranty.

I then explained the logistical problem of shipping the unit back to CPAP.COM and he told me how to contact an authorized Canadian dealer who might be able to help. He said that since I had not bought the machine from the Canadian dealer I would probably have to pay for service.

I contacted the Canadian dealer. They were very helpful and promised a 2 week turnaround including shipping and they even held out the hope that this might be covered by warranty. However, they suggested that, before I took the unit to their local office, I should try to leave the CPAP standing on its end for 24 hours to see if the water simply drained out thereby solving the problem.

So that's where things stand right now. My CPAP is standing on its head on top of a blotter. About every half hour I check the blotter for any sign of dampness (none yet) and in a couple of hours I'll test the machine to see if the flow sensor is working again.

I will keep you informed, and I would be delighted to hear if anyone has had a similar experience.

http://www.internetage.com/cpapinfo/rem ... index.html




Look at pic 5 - the pressure sensor tube is the bottom one. The flow sensor tubes are the pair connected to the one chip. Your symptoms suggest the problem is in the pressure sensor tube rather than the flow sensor tubes.


The 3 screws holding the top to the base come out easily - phillips screwdriver - & provding you are careful the top comes off very easily & the motherboard lifts up sideways easily (just do it gently)

You should be able to see as a dark spot, any water in the sensor lines.

On a BiPap Pro2 I own, I have actually sprayed directly into the actual sensors themselves after removing all the hoses using 'Molytec Electronic Component & Contact Cleaner' (evaporates 100%). I use that machine as an alteranive to my primary one (it works better with nasal pillows than my primary machine).

Good luck

DSM
r

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): bipap, Nasal Pillows

When I travel I disconnect the humidifier and wrap it in a washcloth then set in on the base inside the travel case. This prevents any water drops from draining into my CPAP machine. It works great - I take the CPAP all over and have not had a problem.

I've been using the Glad Press N' Seal plastic wrap. I just dump the humidifier tank as best as I can then seal up the openings with this plastic wrap. Voila! No drops of water, or humidity, find their way into the flow generator.

Remember to NOT cut off the extra plastic wrap after you seal the openings. The extra bit hanging outside the edges of the openings make for easy removal and, prevent the plastic from coming off and staying inside the silicone coupling between the flow generator and the humidifier tank.