Resmed S8 Filters

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 11:58 am

Need some advice. My S8 Elite manual says the filter is usually good for six months. So - I've been a bit careless about checking it and haven't checked it every month.

Now, we did have a furnace add-on woodburner for some 20 years before we decided we were too old to be relying so heavily on the woodburner and put in a new fuel-efficient natural gas furnace. Since the woodburner used the existing furnace ducts I'm sure they aren't the cleanest furnace ducts in the county. We did have a professional come out and clean the furnace ducts when we replaced the old furnace and add-on woodburner but ....

With the advent of the furnace running this past month on and off and not having checked the filter - or changed it - for two months ... I was aghast at not only the filter being filthy and needing replacement today - BUT - also there was dust collected on the inside of the filter cap ... AND ... when I looked into the opening for the filter and cap there is some dust collected on the side walls as well.

It looks like I am going to have to replace the filter EVERY month during heating season! But what really has me concerned is how much dust has collected inside my beloved Elite this past 9 months!! I talked to my local DME and they do not service the interior of the Resmeds, they return them to Resmed for service.

The Elite has a two year guarantee. I can just envision my Elite buddy dying at 2 years and one week of age due to dust in its innards. Any thoughts or suggestions other than being faithful at replacing the filter once a month?? And maybe having some other professional come out and try cleaning the furnace ducts again?

Mind you, this is the filter that Resmed said USUALLY only needs replacement every SIX months and that the DME set the Reminder for filter change at 6 months. Ultimately, it was my responsibility to check the filter once a month according to the manual. *sigh*

Yeah, SnoreDog, I can already see your post w/the Elite on fire!!!!

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:30 pm

I don't know anything about the Elite, but I am hoping someone will answer your question about any harm done by not using the fine filter.

After the fires I checked on my fine filter in my BiPAP only to realize there wasn't one, only the foam. Although I have ordered them, and the foam filter is clean, I wonder if any damage has been done to my machine (to say nothing of my lungs!).

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 10:03 pm

Cross our fingers for both of us!!!!

jennmary · Post by **jennmary** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 7:11 pm

Maybe you could use one of those cans of condensed air to blow out the CPAP? It works for computer parts. My DME told me to change my filter every month if not sooner on my elite. Sucks that your DME gave you wrong info.
I hope your machine doesnt crap out on you.

lvwildcat · Post by **lvwildcat** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:43 pm

Slinky-my S7 Elite manual says the same about replacing filters every 6 months. Since it is so dusty where I live I usually change my filters every 6-8 weeks.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:34 pm

Yep, I learned my lesson. Gonna change them once a month from now on!

I'm not so sure about the condensed air? I'm afriad of blowing the dust collected further into the machine rather than out. *sigh* Thanks for the thought tho. I was tempted ....

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 12:19 am

I would think you would want a charcoal filter for that thing (charcoal filters out smoke hehehe).

I would think that if you kept a filter in your machine that it would become dirty and reduce the amount of air the machine can take in, it shouldn't let any dust go inside the machine.

I don't use store-bought filters, I have some good quality polyester .3 micron 12oz. filter media remnants and I cut and make a dozen or more fine filters. When they get dusty, I take them to the sink and wash them out, dry in a towel and put them back in.

The filters on these things are only about the size of a postage stamp, the price they charge for those filters is ridiculous. I had a new industrial polyester felt filter that I replaced with a larger one, I have a life time supply of filters as long as I can find some scissors.

AKA TGregg · Post by **AKA TGregg** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 5:46 am

Yeah, my resmed filter is barely dirty after 6 months (but I replace it anyway).

Before you blow canned air into the unit, try sucking out some dirt with a vacuum cleaner & hose. Dust generally isn't the problem for chips and circuits like it used to be, but it can still mess up your motor, and raise @%!! with your switches and controls.

Vacuum anything you can, anyplace that dust could get sucked out of the unit. I don't think I'd used canned air unless you have a problem (like a switch that stops working) cuz you'll be blowing the dust all around inside of the unit - who knows where it will end up. Much better to suck it out, if possible.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 5:48 am

Ooo, I'm posting from the office, and I'm not wahooker (I am TGregg tho). I see there's at least one other hosehead in my company.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 8:41 am

Thank you, SnoreDog and TAGregg.

SnoreDog wrote:I would think you would want a charcoal filter for that thing (charcoal filters out smoke hehehe).

You never miss a chance, do you, SnoreDog???

Mask

Additional Comments: Machine:Resmed S7 Elite; Oracle Mask(YES! My DREAM mask!!)