S8 Elite Cpac Machine problem

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday during the night I happen to run out of water in the HunidAir 3i humidifier and since it was dark I overfilled it. I realized this once I started breathing, the machine turned on and water started to fill the hose. About a minute later once I was more awake I turned off the machine, drained some of the water and hose and went back to sleep. Once it turned back on, I noticed the machine started to surge, as well when I was exhaling it wouldn't automatically release pressure but I was tired and went back to sleep anyway. Not that it should make a difference but I have it set at 14.

I went to the bathroom at 4:00 I turned off the machine, when I returned I put the mask back on and when I went to breathe it didn't turn back on. Now the display says "SYSTEM ERROR, Call Service!" Has anyone encountered this problem as I can't seem to find any reset button?

Thanks

I haven't had the problem, but you might try unplugging and plugging it back in.

Thanks for the reply Jay, I tried that 10 times, each time leaving it unplugged for 10 extra minutes that last time being 8 hrs and the same message appears.

I'm actually concerned about sleeping without the cpap machine tonight as I've never gone without it for the last 4 years.

Here's a link to the autoset manual: http://www.resmed.com/us/assets/documen ... er_eng.pdf
It's pretty similar to the elite (I don't have that link anymore). Anyway, in reading the elite manual it says to seek service for that error. I think the autoset manual says to call resmed. You might try that.
There is a "reset to factory defaults" in the clinicians menu under Options. Worth a try??
If "autostart" is on, maybe off would help?
Sorry, just no clue.

Jay

Thanks for the manual Jay, I went throught already and the answer was "Displays errormessage:SYSTEM ERRnnnn Call service!Component failure. Record error number andcontact the ResMedservice center." so they're basically saying, call in for service.

I'm unable to get into any options as it defaults to the Error Message. If I press two various buttons together it will toggle back and forth but not long enough for me to make any chances, so resetting to default is not an option. In other words, the Error Message has locked me out and won't turn the machine on.

Try removing the humidifier?

Thanks again for the reply Jay,

I also tried removing the humidifier, tried to find a reset button but no luck.

Had a bad nights sleep without the cpap machine and woke up with a headache. I called in and they told me I'd have to bring it in for service and it's most likely a $400.00 diagnostic and repair. Say What????????, I think it's a software problem, not hardware, frig.

How old is the machine? How many blower hours?
Maybe it's time for a new machine.
S8's haven't been made for at least a couple of years.
You could buy one for less than they want just to LOOK at it.
They are now NEW anymore!

Thanks for the reply chunkyfrog;

The unit if 4 years old and I can't access the usage hrs as it defaults to the "System Error" message. What is the replacement now, either way I think they were about $1500.00 in Canada when I bought it. I'd like to avoid purchasing a new one if it's just a software problem.

It may also be that water has gotten into the machine and fried something.

$400 buys you a brand new machine, so I would not recommend spending that much fixing an old machine.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/devilb ... chine.html
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/respi ... cflex.html

Or upgrade to an APAP:
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/devil ... tflex.html
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/respi ... -flex.html

Some people with similar problems have found the machine works again once the water inside it dries out.

Of course, there's the concerns you'd have with any electrical device exposed to water.

Unplug it. Remove the humidifier, and think about how water may have entered the machine. Then hold it up and think about where water might have flowed into the machine. Try to hold it up and see if you can pour any water out of the machine. Do whatever you can to encourage it to dry out. I'd put the hose back on the blower unit, then put the other end in my mouth and gently inhale to see if you can suck any water out.

Thanks for the reply Burkebang & archangle.

I don't believe some of those places ship to Canada and if they do with brokerage, extra shipping charges taxes etc....well I appreciate you doing the research.

I've taken the unit completely apart including unplugging the board etc and dried it out. I checked the CR2032 battery and it was at 2.97 volts so all was ok. I left the unit apart for 1/2 thinking it would reboot, but no luck. There were actually two circuit boards and both weren't moist or wet but I dried them anyway. I checked for burnt out diodes, relays, and even inline fuses but found none.

I'm not looking forward to another bad night especially when my wife tells me she can't sleep when she knows I stop breathing and gasp for air. I can't count how many times she would kick me and yell..........BREATHE! I had a love/hate relationship with this cpap machine for the last 4 years but I never went one night without it. I miss her!

My_Dream wrote:Thanks for the reply Burkebang & archangle.

I don't believe some of those places ship to Canada and if they do with brokerage, extra shipping charges taxes etc....well I appreciate you doing the research.

I've taken the unit completely apart including unplugging the board etc and dried it out. I checked the CR2032 battery and it was at 2.97 volts so all was ok. I left the unit apart for 1/2 thinking it would reboot, but no luck. There were actually two circuit boards and both weren't moist or wet but I dried them anyway. I checked for burnt out diodes, relays, and even inline fuses but found none.

If you're that mechanically inclined, look into trying to clear any water out of the air path. There's a good chance one of the air sensors inside the air path has water on it, or there's a drop of water blocking one of the little tubes for the sensors.

Good luck.

By the way, a current model S9 Elite or AutoSet, or PRS1 Auto or Pro does offer a lot more information to treat your apnea.

Thanks for the reply archangle.

I called the insurance company and they'll pay for a replacement come middle of March 2013. In the mean time I cleared out all passages with compressed air and then use a blow dryer to dry out any condensation. It was worth a try but it still shows the error code.

Good luck. Maybe it will dry out further and start working.

In the meantime, you might start watching your local Craigslist.