REMstar Double-Beep Alarm

Just wondering if anyone has had a similar problem with their REMstar Auto CPAP and if they found a solution. Mine is the Respironics REMstar Auto M-Series with C-Flex with about 9,900 hours (3-1/2 yrs). It started this double-beep thing that repeats continuously, along with flashing backlights, and a message in the display "Service Required". Airflow is disabled while this alarm is going on. It continues forever, even if I unplug the CPAP (the alarm starts again when I plug it back in). The only way I have found to stop the alarm and get my CPAP working again is to follow a procedure I found online. Basically, I have to uplug it, push down on two buttons, plug it back in, wait for a double-beep, go into the menus and change it from AUTO to CPAP, turn it off, repeat the procedure but this time change it back to AUTO. Then it will work. Seems like it will do the alarm thing after a night's sleep, sometimes, and as soon as I reach over to turn it off.

Nobody wants to do repairs unless I bought the unit from them. The online store where I bought mine says they will just send it to Respironics and it will likely cost so much that they recommend I buy a new CPAP from them. I suspect the main circuit board. Is there any place to buy used CPAPS for parts?

What about an auction? I just ordered a new humidifier for mine from these folks and it seems to have gone slowly (we'll see - it should arrive tomorrow or the next day).

http://www.cpapauction.com/listingPage. ... gId=101374

Service required = broken machine. You will need to have it serviced.

This is why you should not buy machine's off the internet. Legally, the DME's CANT do anything about your machine, and the online retailer will take your machine and send you a new one, regardless of if your machine can be fixed or not.

Suggestion: Go to a DME. Get your machine from them. You won't have an issue like this again!

0xerort

Hmmm...The DME's around here want 2-1/2 to 3 times the $ for the same item. I think, mathematically, I'm still ahead buying from an internet store, even if I had to buy a new replacement (still ahead in the money). Of course, the risk of having a failure like mine must be very low because I have yet to find anyone who shares my complaint.

howjan wrote:Hmmm...The DME's around here want 2-1/2 to 3 times the $ for the same item. I think, mathematically, I'm still ahead buying from an internet store, even if I had to buy a new replacement (still ahead in the money). Of course, the risk of having a failure like mine must be very low because I have yet to find anyone who shares my complaint.

Have you asked at more than one DME? I was of that opinion, too. On a whim I asked my DME about the price of an S9 out of pocket. Turned out the entire setup cost me only $800. I was surprised to find out that this price included the humidifier. Needless to say, I bought it before they had a chance to change their minds. According to them, I was the first person to buy one from them for cash.

I bought/won a brand new M series Auto with A flex on CPAPAuction in September for $200. ZERO hours. Humidifier, manuals, filters, hoses, everything included; a beautiful machine! I wanted an M series because I already have an M Series CPAP and the software to go with it, and figured they will be harder to come by since the newer models are out. I am using the Auto and I put my two-year-old CPAP away as a backup. Good luck!

Sounds like an electronic or NVRAM failure-- likely to be an expensive repair. Looking for a new machine is good advice.

It is NOT illegal for a local DME provider to service a CPAP bought from another provider so long as the PAP is completely paid for. All the manufacturers require you to send it in for repair via a DME provider. Buying from an online provider is no different than if you had purchased your PAP in one state and then moved to a new state.