RemSTAR Auto M series with A flex problems

Hi,

A friend of mine has this machine that has been running great for years, lately during the night sometimes it switches off and user had to switch it on again.

But 2 days ago it stopped working as if no power was coming in, he took the machine to an electrician and said that the power supply is working fine, then took it to the local agent and said that the "motherboard had too many errors" and that there are no parts available.

what kind of errors could there be, maybe damaged components yes but errors ???

Any ideas what could be the problem and is there a shop that still has parts for them ?

Tomorrow he will be picking it up from the local supplier for me to have a look at it.

if there is an error it should be displayed on the lcd screen
these are older machines and it may be cheaper to find a newer replacement on craigslist

dijsil wrote:Hi,

A friend of mine has this machine that has been running great for years, lately during the night sometimes it switches off and user had to switch it on again.

But 2 days ago it stopped working as if no power was coming in, he took the machine to an electrician and said that the power supply is working fine, then took it to the local agent and said that the "motherboard had too many errors" and that there are no parts available.

call acbio.com and ask for a quote. your "local agent" knows nothing about fixing cpaps.

acbio is a good choice for repair
the question is whether using what it would cost to repair the m series
towards a newer model used cpap from craigslist or elsewhere would be a better choice

got the machine, I recorded a video maybe someone can identify the problem:
Model: 1051157

the leds are powering on blue but display is not showing anything, also pressed all buttons but nothing happens

https://youtu.be/hcCetaXt5_s

I noticed that when I insert the smart card the leds dimms, not sure if it is normal as I have never seen it working

https://youtu.be/FgMqpflB-Tk

Edit, after few minutes beneath the words remstar auto became very hot and the blue leds are not turning on anymore

https://youtu.be/FgI339jyw68

it's dead, Jim.

Currently I am dismantling it and found some oxidisation on the board, hopefully will give it a good clean ... fingers crossed

after a good clean problem still persists.

Tomorrow I will inform him and give him the bad news.

Any good models to suggest with humidifier and if it is possible to connect to a cigarette lighter would be a +

already had a look at the website of F&P Icon +, Breas isleep20i and apex XT auto.

any other recommended models ?

Sounds like you're on board for a new machine. Generally speaking ResMed and Phillips Respironics are the go-to machines. Warning: Just don't get a no-data machine.

Here's a reasonably up-to-date database that tells you if a machine has data capability... yes, even a few of the newest models are NOT data capable, sad to say. Some other features are covered also. These links go to one database but there are two views. Use the one that suits your needs best:

https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment/cpapmachines

https://sleep.tnet.com/cmd

Logical updates to a m-series auto, would the Philips Respironics System One auto or Dreamstation Auto. Resmed is 24 volts so you may not want to go there. I still have an old M-series sitting in a closet. Kind of like outdated smartphones...works fine, no one wants it, and it's not worth anything.

Sleeprider wrote:Logical updates to a m-series auto, would the Philips Respironics System One auto or Dreamstation Auto. Resmed is 24 volts so you may not want to go there. I still have an old M-series sitting in a closet. Kind of like outdated smartphones...works fine, no one wants it, and it's not worth anything.

thanks all for your reply.

sleeprider can you please check your pm

I just replaced my 8 year old M-Series Auto with a Dreamstation which I like very much - much quieter than the (at least, my) M-Series. If you're paying for it yourself, cpap.com has a great price for the Respironics System One.

Display may not show anything.

Remstar Classic breadloaf machines may simply quit dead, might be power supply.

Remstar Classic breadloaf machines may quit during the night, flashing lights, error code E-8 for those who know how to read error codes.

Repairing machines is questionable for those unable to do themselves, due value of technician labour. At $100/hour the investment in an old machine is questionable. (And technicians have to ensure they fully test the repaired machine, before letting someone without good user skills use it again.)

OTOH, machine going to full px may be broken px sensing tube inside the inlet, the Remstar Classic breadloaf machine has a tubing branch-off to the px sensor. (Tubing varies with Auto versus lesser versions.)

Clarifying - the risk of sensing tube break is mostly due someone having worked on the machine, overstressing the joint which falls open later.