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Adapter for Scotland
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 12:26 pm
by djv1255
I just ordered a PB420E with software.
However, I am travelling to Scotland so I need to get an adapter.
Reading about adpaters on Radio Shack web site, they are only supposed to be used 30 minutes at a time.
Which adpater do people recommend?
I have a circuit breaker that plugs into the wall and you plug your appliance into that. I was planning to take that rather than a big surge proctector power strip.
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Power
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 1:00 pm
by ozij
DJV,
The 420E's power supply switches from 110v. to 220 (and vice versa) without any help. All you need is this piece of plastic that accepts U.S. style prongs on one side, and has the British (Scottish) kind of prongs on the other. This thing has no electronic parts to it, I can't imagine any reason to limit its use for 30 minutes. I used the converse of this (european to usa) for almost 3 weeks recently - no problem. To repeat: its the pb's power supply doing all the necessary transfroming, not anything you add to it.
By the way, I think you can get those "prong translators" cheaper from AAA.
Of course, if you're convinced that the electricity supply in Scotland is that bad, then you have to buy a surge protector that can handle their voltage, and see how you plug your manchines into that -
LittleBaddows can maybe chime in about the reliability of the electrical system in the wilds of Britain.... he's a native, I believe...
In any case, your machine will not be more sensitive to surges than any one of probably hunderds of machine out there. It won't get a electronic version of Montezuma's revenge because it tasted foriegn electricity...
The humidifier also has an automatically adapted power supply.
O.
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 1:43 pm
by Guest
even the smallest droplet of moisture in the feedback line will make the P/B's max out the pressure. Be sure to plug the ends when washing, but rainout can also find it's way into the small clear feedback line.
To clear the line, remove the clear tube only from the apap, remove the mask, cover the mask end of the hose with the palm of your hand, forcing the air to exit thru the disconnected feedback line....watch to see if any small droplets of water exit the line.
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 2:33 pm
by chrisp
Just go to Radio shack or Wal Mart and buy a set of Adaptor plugs. In Wal Mart they are in the Luggage section $9.95, You can get it with a converter for $15. You don't need the converter. Each plug is marked for country . You need the G style adaptor plug.
Check this site out.
http://kropla.com/electric2.htm
This is the plug you need :
http://kropla.com/!g.htm
Leave the surge suppressor at home . It isn't needed and won't work there anyway.
Cheers,
Chris
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 2:45 pm
by Janelle
ive been leaving the humidifier attached to the heat plate when i pack it but not the APAP, too. The heat plate and humidifier are pretty snug in one compartment. In that same compartment I put the transformer and cords for both with the humidifier tank on the bottom of the bag. The other side is where I put the APAP and still have room for the hose and/or my mask, or a paperback or two. On the other side I carry an extension cord and the hose if there is not room on the other side. Also a suction cup hook for headboards or pictures above beds to hang my hose overhead at night. And there is still room for my portable DVD player and a few discs to watch on planes with the battery connected. And I can put my wallet, my ID folder. I think the bag is designed great for my needs anyway.
I had the Resperonics bag and S7 for a month and it was just one big compartment with little room for anything but the unit and humidifier and maybe the hose. Not much for anykind of mask and no separate compartments.
I might add the PB bag has the separator in the zipper compartment attached with Velcro so you can unattach it as desired.
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 10:10 pm
by glassgal
On the PB420 bag, here are my issues:
1) both compartments should be zippered
2) there should be a strap with velcro in the center to slip over the handle of rolling luggage -- the strap on the bag now allows the bag to slip and potentially get dropped.
I had a S7 and although it is a big, heavy machine, the bag had more padding, straps to secure the machine in the bag, room for hose & mask, and the strap across the back (with virtually no slack & a velcro tab in the center) to slide over and secure between the bars of double handle rolling luggage. I didn't feel like I was going to drop my machine whilst traversing the endless corridors of the airport! It seems like the PB bag is an afterthought and could be more thoughtfully designed.
I also put the APAP and humidifier (with dry tank inserted) side by side in the zippered section with cords, surge suppressors and mask components. The other side has extension cords, hose and manuals, as well as documentation from the doc that this is a medical item, a copy of my RX and copies of the DOT and TSA regs.
I guess that I am just picky. I have been thinking of looking for a camera bag big enough for the APAP and all the goodies -- my son has a largish one that is ALMOST big enough for the PB -- it is for his digital camera & big lens & other stuff. Camera bags are usually well padded with movable dividers. I just haven't had the time to mess with it, though. My next trip will be in the car, so it isn't as important as when flying.
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 4:09 am
by Janelle
A luggage strap would be a good idea. Right now I have the carrying strap at its shortest and then bring that over the outside of the rolling carrier handle about half pulled out then through the middle and back around the outside, then pull the handle up the rest of the way. This secures it pretty well. To get it off, I lower the handle about half way down and just reverse the procedure. It really goes pretty quickly. Oh, and I always carry it on and put it in the underseat area in front of me (on its side). It is immediately where I can see it, and I can prop my feet up on it which helps my back too. I usually wait to reattach the bag to the rollon, when I'm off the plane and in the skyway.
I think the one good thing about the velcro closure size is that it is compressible, so you can snug down that side so it is narrower if you don't have much in it. I also usually stuff a dream foam lumbar support in there too or on top of the machine, etc. on the zipper side. This is easily available if I need it for my back on long flights or for a small pillow. Got it at Walmart in the Pharmacy section where the heating pads etc. are. It comes with a batteryoperated vibrator in it, but I didn't like the hard feel of it, so I took it out. Also use it in bed to put at the small of my back to support it both at home and when traveling. Really helps to fill in the dips in older mattresses, and gives me nice support.
PB 420E
Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 8:31 am
by dankazoo
I travel with mine every week. I also have a RemStar and I travel with the 420 in the RemStar bag - more room. I also pack an adapter (with room to plug in 3 plugs) as the 420E and he humidifier have separate plugs. This is necessary because hotels don't have a lot of outlets available. I also have room in the bag to take along a 16 oz. bottle of distilled water which I pack with the hose and mask.
I leave the humidifier attached, but make sure is is drained, if necessary, every morning. With usage, you'll know about how much water to put in at night so you are not sloshing around in the morning. I think the 420E is a great purchase.
Dan
Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 8:38 am
by klady
[quote="rested gal"]I'm one of the ones who had to turn IFL1 off on the 420E because of pressure runaways. (Thank God for -SWS!! ) From that point on, the 420E behaved beautifully for me. Excellent machine.
Thanks Rested Gal. I just received my 420E and after setting it up, looked forward to a great night's sleep. In the middle of the night I awoke feeling like I had just finished a marathon race. I remembered reading your thread about turning off the IFL1 and it worked like a charm. Of course, by the time I was through fiddling around with it, well, that's another story. But, I did go back to sleep.
Thanks again.