The Breadbox Project

I can't take credit for the mouse pad idea. cflame1 mentioned mouse pads and kteague suggested using them as lining.

It isn't perfect though. The machine needs to be moved a little to open and close the door, fill the reservoir, etc. It definitely cuts down on the noise though.

Thats the best thing since sliced bread.. No really, I love it and it works! where is that guy who posted the cpap cabinet thing that was over priced.

Gilley

Was thinking about it .. the sound is escaping out of all the openings. What if you sealed them all up with some cotton wool or something similar. But then how do you get air into the box ? Through a baffle of some sorts. Some sort of well padded convoluted maze into the box - like a Z shape channel. i.e. it will allow free access of air but will absorb all radiated noise.

Just thinking aloud.. interesting project.

It would be nice to get even quieter. I don't think that will happen with this breadbox though. Not sure I can do much more to it without it looking like a monstrosity.

I would love to make a custom box, but I need to get crap out of my garage first.

ifrimmel wrote:Mousepads.. didn't think about that! It's very close in density to the PC insulation stuff and a 1/10 of the price!!

It's the closed-cell foam. At that thickness, it's enough to dampen the sound. Excellent images. I think this deserves one of Rested Gal's Lab Rat Awards. (Of course that's entirely up to RG. )

You could try a thicker foam to make it even quieter - like an old ensolite camper's sleeping mat.

It appears I need to use a stronger glue. I was just playing around with it and when I opened the door, it caught the back foam panel and peeled it off.

I'll try gluing it back on tomorrow, fabric side out and see how that works. Can't go much thicker with the foam, just not enough room in the box.

These machines suck air. Where is the vent hole?

SliSeattle wrote:These machines suck air. Where is the vent hole?

I cut a long open slot on the back panel for ventilation. Plus there are gaps along the door and the hole for the hose.

My solution was easier. I gave back my PR1 and got an S8 Autoset II. Instant quiet. I understand the S9 is even quieter, except for the whistle.

I agree with robmax......GET A QUIETER MACHINE...there are several out there

I admire KirkC's 'weekend warrior' DIY project attitude. Sometimes you have to work with what you've got because of your budget. Maybe a breadbox and a few mousepads are a lot cheaper than buying a new flow generator. Careful what glue you use. If it outgases badly, you won't be able to use the box for its intended purpose - at least until the glue stops smelling.

robmax wrote:My solution was easier. I gave back my PR1 and got an S8 Autoset II. Instant quiet. I understand the S9 is even quieter, except for the whistle.

LSAT wrote:I agree with robmax......GET A QUIETER MACHINE...there are several out there

I must be missing something, because my machine appears to be one of the "quiet" machines.

Out of fairness, the comment could have been based on my profile info. I will update my profile with the correct make and model. In case you didn't bother to read the thread, my objective is to eliminate the "Darth Vader" noise, not motor noise. Second sentence, first post.

My machine is pretty quiet, but was trying to find a way to further eliminate the Darth Vader noise.

Here is what I found on machine sound levels from cpap.com

My machine - PR System One REMstar Pro CPAP Machine with C-Flex Plus < 30 dBA

robmax - S8 AutoSet II CPAP Machine 24 dBA (a little quieter)

LSAT - SleepStyle 233 CPAP Machine with Built In Heated Humidifier 30-dB

Looks like we are pretty close in the QUIETER MACHINE department.