I got a machine, Yay!!!

I'm tired of waiting on ins/DME ... viewtopic.php?f=1&t=79984&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

So I found a PR S1 Auto on Craig's List in Des Moines, IA ... Gave the lady $400 for it delivered to me at the truck stop ... It had 23.9 hours of total use, and came with HH, hose, and a med ResMed Mirage Quattro mask ...

I totally washed the mask and hose, and readjusted the APAP ... But I have a question ... What should I set the "System One resistance" to?

Since I don't have a Respitonics mask, I don't have a value to put in there ... Is my Quattro similar to one of theirs?

123.Shawn T.W. wrote:I'm tired of waiting on ins/DME ... viewtopic.php?f=1&t=79984&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

So I found a PR S1 Auto on Craig's List in Des Moines, IA ... Gave the lady $400 for it delivered to me at the truck stop ... It had 23.9 hours of total use, and came with HH, hose, and a med ResMed Mirage Quattro mask ...

I totally washed the mask and hose, and readjusted the APAP ... But I have a question ... What should I set the "System One resistance" to?

Since I don't have a Respironics mask, I don't have a value to put in there ... Is my Quattro similar to one of theirs?

Righteous deal! I am not a doctor, so a sleep study is best, but this worked for me. There's several way to determine pressure, however I started out at 7cm to 11cmH20, via advice I got here, which I think is pretty common. Over a few days, keep an eye on your 90% pressure (get Sleepyhead or ResMed software) and you'll see the machine start to find it's natural low Pmin pressure. Adjust Pmin downwards if your 90% stays in in the basement. Within days, the same thing will happen for Pmax, ie. it'll start 'table-topping' out if you're not getting good therapy pressure. It doesn't take long to get things dialed in; just try to make small adjustments, keep notes and a pressure record - and if possible, change one parameter at a time. I'm probably leaving some stuff out but other members can help fill in the blanks. EDIT: I guess you didn't ask how to set Pmin and Pmax... but hey, I tossed it in for free! Two-fer.

Re mask resistance setting: I use the Swift FX nasal pillows and set the mask resistance to X2... but I don't think it makes much difference. Maybe it changes the algorithm a little bit, but I can't sense a difference between X1 and X2 or even X3. Somebody else might want to join in on this issue.

Set Resistance Control to 0 which turns it off.
You could look up a similar looking Respironics full face mask and use whatever that X number might be but it is not a critical issue.
The Resistance Control doesn't alter leak numbers or anything like the mask selection in the ResMed machine does.
It is more for dealing with large leaks in a manner as to not chase them and create worse leaks.
It isn't a critical issue and it really doesn't matter what you choose. I played with all of them and it didn't feel any different to me and it made zero difference on the reports.
You can read about it here if you want be it doesn't explain things very well. Personally I think more hype than actual productive function unless someone has lots of large leaks.
http://systemoneresistancecontrol.respironics.com/
You can play with the settings to see if one happens to "feel" different for you. I couldn't tell any difference at all.
If one feels better...use it. It doesn't affect pressure or leak numbers though.

Heated hose with PR S1...so that is a 60 series machine? Then you have to use EncoreBasic. I think I gave it to you already but if I didn't just send me a note and I will get it to you.

Fair price even without the mask so you did very well. 23 hours is nothing. I consider that new.
Congratulations. Are you still going to take delivery of the DME machine from back home? If you do then you need to make sure you know what (if any) hours of usage requirements need to be met so that insurance pays for a machine so you will have to for sure use it.
You don't have to take delivery of it if you don't want to but if the copay isn't horrible your new "used" machine would make a good backup machine for you and your wife.

Did you find out pressure RX from your titration study yet?

I got sleepy head ... Just need some data ...

I'm assuming on the "resistance" is what is referred to as vent rate of different masks ... Just there way of saying it ... Obviously different masks have different rates that they vent, but the machine wants to know how much extra air to pump in ...

Pugsy,

No it is a Heated Humidifier, regular hose (sorry) ... Model 550

No I have not seen or heard what pressure they figured out ... I just set it 6-12 I'll see in the morning what happened!

I'm still pursuing the 60 series ... Then this can be a back up, but until then I can start getting some therapy ... Just figure it's gonna be a LONG fight!

Yes, I did get basic loaded, thank you. Plus SleepyHead ...

A different question ...

The manual says not to use the 12vdc cord with the engine running.

Is it just a straight cord? Without any type of regulator?

Because I know I run 14 volts when running, and only 12.5 - 12.8 off.

Will I be better off just running it off a invertor? (I really rather not)

123.Shawn T.W. wrote:I'm assuming on the "resistance" is what is referred to as vent rate of different masks ... Just there way of saying it ... Obviously different masks have different rates that they vent, but the machine wants to know how much extra air to pump in ...

No, the Resistance control has nothing to do with the vent rate for whichever mask. None at all. That is why I say the settings do not alter the leak reports. It has nothing to do with pressure supplied either. It really only MIGHT affect someone having some large leaks as it seems to say that it might help stabilize leaks. More from a function of how the machine responds to fight the leak and none at all to do with pressures or vent rate.
It is not a critical setting to worry about. That is why they say turn it off for non Respironics masks. It is a feature that might help someone obtain a better seal in the event that a large leak should occur instead of feeding the leak and maybe making the leak worse. Hard to explain but you can just turn it off. Won't lessen therapy or alter your data or reports or affect anything that is of critical need to you. You may or may not be able to actually feel any difference. If it feels good use it just because it happens to feel good but it doesn't affect therapy or data reporting any any way unless you have massive large leaks and the massive large leaks will of course affect things anyway. Supposedly it helps fix leaks.

Respironics machine report total leak...vent rate plus any excess leak. They use a generic vent rate based off a calculation performed when the mask is initially turned on and we assume no leak to base its calculations. ResMed machines use the mask selection to guide it in selection of its generic vent rate for whatever mask model because it subtracts the vent rate prior to reporting leak. Resistance control is not the same as mask selection choice in a ResMed machine. Totally different jobs.

I will have to let the others who understand 12 volt and stuff explain your other question.

Model 550 doesn't have the heated hose. Not a critical issue. The heated hose thing comes in handy in the winter time when bedroom temps happen to be a lot colder. If someone likes a lot of added moisture then with the cold air there is greater chance of condensation in the tube. You won't even miss it during the summer and may not even miss it in the winter time.
Just depends on how much moisture you like added and how cold bedroom (or your truck sleeper) happens to be.
Should condensation be a problem there are ways to help relieve it. Hose cozy or even a stand alone heated hose like this one
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/hybern ... -hose.html I used it last winter and it works great.

123.Shawn T.W. wrote:A different question ...

The manual says not to use the 12vdc cord with the engine running.

Is it just a straight cord? Without any type of regulator?

Because I know I run 14 volts when running, and only 12.5 - 12.8 off.

Will I be better off just running it off a invertor? (I really rather not)

Even though I wasn't on xPAP when I was a trucker, I do know a little about what you're talking about and personally wouldn't risk it unless someone else can chime in otherwise. I do know some other electronics can be sensitive to voltage and actually be damaged with the extra 2volts and would assume the xPAP would fall into that category.

I would also check the specs on that inverter to make sure it offered the same protection regarding any 'spikes' or whatnot. I'm not sure those "walmart" cheapies do or not

123.Shawn T.W. wrote:A different question ...

The manual says not to use the 12vdc cord with the engine running.

Is it just a straight cord? Without any type of regulator?

Because I know I run 14 volts when running, and only 12.5 - 12.8 off.

Will I be better off just running it off a invertor? (I really rather not)

I would definitely not have it connected at ALL when cranking your engine. Not even if the machine is turned off.

I can't tell you for sure it's safe to use with the engine running. I would probably risk it personally if there was a big advantage to doing so. I would do it realizing there's some small risk that it eats my machine and I have to replace or repair it. I'd be a little bit nervous at first.

The blower unit appears to have an internal power supply that regulates the 12V from the power brick down to the lower voltages it uses internally. I haven't seen a specification for 12V voltage tolerance, however.

Of course, if it blows up your CPAP, I'm not going to pay for it.

Even if the inverter puts out somewhat crappy voltage, the PRS1 power supply brick should filter an awful lot of that out, unless the inverter goes stark raving mad. It's a switching power supply that converts the AC to an intermediate high frequency AC voltage, regulates it, and filters the output. It automatically adjusts to 100 - 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz.

I wouldn't use any high powered radio transmitters with the power cord connected to the machine, even if the cord is unplugged on the other end. Not even to the manufacturer's power supply.

Do you have to document compliance for truck driving regulatory records? Have you figured out how this will happen? i.e. do you have to go through the DME, who may not be willing to figure out two different machines or work with a machine he didn't sell you?

Here is ResMed's mask sterilization guide if you want to be sure the mask is clean enough.

The Respironics cord is just wires, a fuse, and some toroids for RF filtering.

No compliance for driver, yet ...

Ins said they don't care about being "big brother" watching to see how much I use it ... Of course convincing the DME will be another story ... But I'll worry about that when they get me the machine my Dr Rx'd ... Until then I'll use this one!

I like the idea of just using DC, but I guess I'll just have to use the invertor on nights when I run the truck, to run the A/C. Sure has been hot and humid ... I was down in NC end of last week ... Felt slimy when I got out of the truck! Yuck!

archangle wrote:

123.Shawn T.W. wrote:A different question ...

The manual says not to use the 12vdc cord with the engine running.

Is it just a straight cord? Without any type of regulator?

I would definitely not have it connected at ALL when cranking your engine. Not even if the machine is turned off.


The Respironics cord is just wires, a fuse, and some toroids for RF filtering.

Congrats on getting a machine! The 550 has a max draw of 5 amps at +12VDC. I'm not sure how sensitive it is to voltage fluctuations, but IIRC most of the larger truck stops have voltage regulators in the electronics section.

This has already been said, but unless you're using a Respironics mask, set the S1 Resistance to X0.

If you have a copy of your titration study, then start by setting the machine in APAP mode with the min at (Titrated)-2 and the max at (Titrated)+2. Otherwise, you'll have to experiment The A-Flex function is a comfort feature that drops the exhalation pressure. Don't worry too much about it for now.

123 Shawn, are you a trucker (I may be mixing you up with someone else)? If so, you need to keep good compliance records in case there's ever an accident, if you don't already need them for the DOT to keep your license.

Don't trust the DME for this. Keep your own records AND back them up.

About compliance and DOT and inspections. The DOT guys know how to check the machines to check for hours of use.
If you are chosen for an inspection and they see OSA on your medical card they will want to see the machine and they will pay special attention to the most recent time frame. If you can't prove that you aren't using the machine for at least 4 hours they will park you and you get red flagged and a forced time off just like you have to do after your hours are used up for the week and you have to reset your hours. They won't care as much about last month but they will sure care about the last few nights.

Since you probably don't have sleep apnea on your medical card yet they probably won't do anything unless they do a physical inspection of your truck and spot the machine. If that happens they will likely want proof of compliance.

Your company may or may not want additional documentation for their records. Best to check with them to see what they want.

My husband is a truck driver. Doesn't have OSA but several of the other men do that work for the same company. Not long ago he was talking to one of them and the guy was moaning and groaning about his machine and hating it and never using the PITA machine. My husband told him that he needed to use it because if he got pulled for inspection they would check the machine. Sure enough the very next day the guy got inspected and had not used his machine for several days and he got the red flag vacation for 34 hours at the weigh station.

Yes, I'm a truck driver, no my medical card has no restrictions or any mention of OSA. Current medical card is good for 17 more months.

I do plan on using it, that why I bought it with my own hard earned money, not wanting to wait for the one from ins co ... I also plan on downloading g it into sleepy head every day, so if the need to look, I can show them ...

I would think the most they could do would be ask for a 10 hour sleep break, not the 34 hour re-set ...

Anyhow, hopefully I'll soon get loaded here at Dr Pepper ... And can try it out soon!

In some ways I'm excited like a little boy with a new bicycle, just can't wait till I can take it for a spin, but also apprehensive as I don't do well with changes to my sleep pattern ...

No way I'm gonna make my 07:00 apt in Lincoln, NE now ... Been here waiting for over 5 hours!

123.Shawn T.W. wrote: I would think the most they could do would be ask for a 10 hour sleep break, not the 34 hour re-set ...

As you well know sometimes attitude plays a part in how the DOT guys treat you. I don't know all the particulars only that he had a forced 34 hour reset and someone else had to go pick up his trailer to get the goods delivered.
He may have developed an "attitude" with the inspectors for all we know. Also don't know how long he had not used the machine prior to the inspection but it was several days.

Yeah, I've been living off my CDL for 20 years ... Learned to play nice and say yes sir, no sir goes along ways!

I was just "playing" with my new toy while still waiting for my load, atleast there starting to load me finely now! I had min set at 6 and max at 12, ramp at 4 for 35 minutes ... I lay there figuring out how to move around, and how to deal with the hose, and fix a leak ... As I was about done after about 15 minutes I noticed I was already up to 7.6!

Guess I'm gonna sleep here tonight, once I pull out of the door and get my paperwork, then I'll leave early in the morning, but I ain't setting an alarm, just whenever I wake up! Hope I sleep good with this new machine!

I have it temporarily set up on a couple of boxes and books ... Just for sleeping though, and then it will ride in its bag, I also have a clamp on fan that I clamped on to the cabinet next to me which holds the hose up, will have to do until I get home ...