Question about filters for the PB420S...

Ok I have the PB 420S...I also have asthma and really b ad allergies...I have two of the reusable filters that came with my machine and well I have had it since May and I used one for about 2 months just taking it out to rinse it off and let it dry and then reuse it but finally it botherd me cause it bacame discolored slightly yellow and I felt it wasnt clean no matter how much I washed it so I threw it out and put in the new one I had well now that one is the same way...my home health care company I use for all my nebulizer(for asthma) supplies and all my cpap supplies said all I haev to do is call my sleep docs office and get them to fax a RX for cpap supplies and they will get me new filters with no problem(I am lucky my insurance pays for everything)...my question is which filters would be better, I have seen two diff kinds the reusable ones like I had and the disposable ones...They look to be made differently the reusable ones look like more stuff can get through them and they might not filter as good...Anyone know which would be better? cause either way when they start turning color i am throwing them out...

I have the 420E. Assuming its the same......

I don't know about the disposable filter, but the reusable foam one that came with my 420E machine seems about worthless for stopping anything short of bugs and certainly would not help with allergies.

My solution was to go the the hardware store and buy a pack of heater register "electrostatic" filters, which are CHEAP and fairly low resistance but appear to be fairly high filtration. I use the foam filter as a pattern and cut out a patch and just stick it on top of the foam filter in the unit. It works great and at a few cents per "patch" I can afford to change it often.

The yellowish discoloration (at least in my town)is probably the result of the rust in the water.

However, I'm pretty sure you need additional filtering.
Pollen filters are disposable and you also have a HEPA filter.
Search for them on cpap.com to get an idea of what they are.
O.

I have my PB420S for 2 months now. Following the suggestion from WillSucceed, I bought a HEPA filter from a home hardware store and cut it to fit the filter slot. I put the HEPA filter behind the original filter. It provides better filtering performance. I did not wash the original filter, but just replace the HEPA filter instead.

Anonymous wrote:I have my PB420S for 2 months now. Following the suggestion from WillSucceed, I bought a HEPA filter from a home hardware store and cut it to fit the filter slot. I put the HEPA filter behind the original filter. It provides better filtering performance. I did not wash the original filter, but just replace the HEPA filter instead.

This is my post.... I forget to sign in.

Ok well I am a woman and know NOT much at all about a hardware store or filters LOL so do I just go and I guess I can ask for a hepa filter? like are there different kinds? or what? and then cut it to fit and I guess I put that piece in first and then put the original filter on top of it is that right?

Also, using another piece of filter I know its on the outside but that doesnt mess up the flow of air or anything does it?

maybe this will help..

WillSucceed wrote:You can buy pollen-blocking disposable filters on-line for all of the machines. Also, you can go to the local hardware store, purchase the smallest, best quality (3M Filtrete Ultra, for example) furnace filter and cut out pieces of filter material that are the exact same size as the existing foam filter in your CPAP machine.

This might sound like a dopey idea but, it works well. The media that 3M puts in its filter is (if you buy the best quality one) highly efficient at blocking dust, pollen, animal dander, etc., This is exactly the crap that you don't want to be breathing. The media is designed to let the air through and block the garbage.

The cost of one furnace filter cut into many small filters will give you many more filters than the same amount of money spent on name-brand filters made by Respironics, PB., etc.

The foam filter that came with your CPAP unit blocks big dust particles and that is about it.

Since using disposable filter media (furnace filter) my allergies have dropped dramatically, my need for nose sprays, etc., has dropped and, I don't get stuffed up when I sleep anymore.

viewtopic.php?t=3920&highlight=filter

MissAmethyst2U wrote:Ok well I am a woman and know NOT much at all about a hardware store or filters LOL so do I just go and I guess I can ask for a hepa filter? like are there different kinds? or what? and then cut it to fit and I guess I put that piece in first and then put the original filter on top of it is that right?

Also, using another piece of filter I know its on the outside but that doesnt mess up the flow of air or anything does it?

I have to same confusion about the HEPA filter when first heard people talk about it. You can check out this link to know the kind of filter I am using..

http://www.allergybegone.com/3mdiscenfurf.html

After cutting the piece of filter, I put it inside the slot and then put the original one. Up to now, there is no problem with the air flow with the additional HEPA filter.