do you keep your machine plugged in all the time?

I leave my IntelliPAP autoadjust plugged in all the time.

There are two theories to turning power off to equipment. The first is if you turn the power on and off frequently, it keeps parts like the filter capacitors healthier as they have a chance to charge and discharge regularly. Generates less heat as well. However, there is great stress put on many components when the unit is powered on and off all the time. So, that practice increases chances of a failure.

The second theory is to leave the equipment powered up all the time. That generates more heat, and tends to dry out capacitors, etc. But with no turn-on and turn-off stress, things tend to just keep running. But if you do turn off the power, you have a much larger chance of failure when you turn it back on, than if you turned the unit on and off regularly. ('Turn off' in the case of most xPAP equipment is pulling the plug.)

In the TV station where I work, critical digital equipment and complex analog equipment gets left powered on. Equipment that is not used all the time, like the careas get powered off when not in use.

For a CPAP machine, you can go either way. Since I cannot completely shut off my machine with a button, it gets left on. The power supply idles, the microcontroller runs. Most of the rest of the machine, including the motor driver, are 'asleep'.

Last Saturday, I was planning on building a DC cord for my IntelliPAP. Well. I got an early start. A surprise power outage stopped my therapy 15 minutes before I was going to get up. I built the cord, and have been testing my gel cells. (Camping trip next weekend-- batteries power my telescope and my CPAP machine.) I will leave one gel cell connected as battery backup when I am done testing them.

A surge suppressor is a good idea if you leave your machine plugged in all the time. I need to get one myself

The IntelliPAP uses a standard SD card. It also has a data collection module that collects data over time from the machine. You insert the card, it writes all the data in about 15 seconds, and then prompts you to remove the card. I feel sorry for those that have to deal with the older card readers where it takes an hour to write data to the card. The card is not the issue here, its the algorithm in the machine that is still assuming you are going to restart therapy for up to an hour after you shut down. It finally realizes you aren't restarting, terminates the sleep session and then can then write any unwritten data.

The only loss of data was a mechanical problem.....
loose nut behind the keybrd.

Can't believe they all let that one go, Carbonman!

And yes, unless I'm moving or travelling, mine is plugged in all the time, too.

To relate something similar to timbalionguy's post...

In a previous career I used to work with rather large computer systems that were always powered up.

Occasionally much to the chagrin of the systems manager (myself) and the user community (who would take out their frustrations on the systems manager... me) these systems needed to be powered down for repair.

Invariably on power up several of the internal fans would be balky and refuse to spin up. Sometimes a gently twirl of the blade with a pencil would nudge them into action, but more often than not some of the fans needed replacing. This extra repair would not have been necessary had the unit not been powered down.

No, this does NOT mean you should leave your xPAP units blowing constantly.

Hey,
Just adding,mine is plugged in all the time, with the exception of afternoon/evening thunderstorms. I remove smart card with it plugged in and no problems for me so far! Knock Knock on wood!

timbalionguy wrote:I leave my IntelliPAP autoadjust plugged in all the time.

Me too.

You insert the card, it writes all the data in about 15 seconds, and then prompts you to remove the card.

I'm guessing that you haven't had your Intellipap very long. It takes 15 seconds when the SmartLink module is new. The longer you own it, the longer the data transfer takes. I've had mine about 6 months, and the transfer time is about 30 seconds now. My guess is that by the time the SmartLink module is full (3 years), data transfer is going to take a few minutes.