11-23-2020, 02:14 PM
CPAP machine wear indicators
I have a ResMed S9 with humidifier next to my bedside that must be getting on towards 10 years old. My impression is they are excellent machines, but now I'm wondering if there are any indicators of wear I should watch for. For example, the past several months I've been waking at 3:00AM, and today while doing my weekly CPAP cleaning, I thought replacing the S9 might be the answer.
I'll do some research and ask my pulmonary specialist, but if anyone has already been down this road, please share what you've learned.
RE: CPAP machine wear indicators
Past 5 years and use hours between 15-20K are indicators of being on borrowed time. Maybe it's time to update to a ResMed 10 AutoSet.
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RE: CPAP machine wear indicators
Agree with Dave, and keep your S9 as a backup.
11-26-2020, 10:34 AM
(This post was last modified: 11-26-2020, 10:36 AM by FredH.)
RE: CPAP machine wear indicators
I downloaded and installed Oscar for my MacBook Pro, then added the data from the ResMed S9's card. Alas, I did not take notice of Oscar's red fine print warning to lock the card before inserting. I looked at the various screens and had no understanding of what I was seeing. It always helps to find and read instructions first. Meanwhile, my pulmonary specialists had me bring the card to them, and they told me all was well and saw no indication that the S9 was malfunctioning. However, they will write a new prescription for a ResMed 10 Autoset at my request.
When I returned home, I reinserted the card into the S9 which brought up a message choice whether to delete data (reformat?). I opted instead to pull and reinsert the card which seemed to satisfy the unit, turned the S9 off and filled the reservoir. Nine hours later when I was expecting the CPAP to be off (the screen was dark and the fan was not running), I noticed the light was on in the humidifier chamber and large droplets on its top window. The top lid was very warm. I opened the lid to a waft of steam, and it was HOT! I lifted the reservoir and its metal bottom as well as the inside of the humidifier chamber were too hot to touch. I yanked the power cord and let the unit cool down. When I tried to turn it on, the delete data choice message reappeared, so I opted to erase the card (the data is with the pulmonary doc and on my MacBook). I restarted the S9 and it seemed to run okay.
This has never happened in the years I've owned this CPAP, and now I don't trust it for safety reasons. Can Oscar evaluate the machine's electronics, or is there a test? I wonder if it's a shorted circuit in the detachable humidifier unit, or a more integrated problem with the entire machine. Even with a replacement CPAP coming, I'd like to determine if this S9 is a keeper or a junker. Perhaps other S9 owner's similar experience will guide me.
RE: CPAP machine wear indicators
I have not heard of a humidifier coming on while the machine blower is off. The humidifier is a separate unit on the S9 and the machine can be used with or without it. I would think you are safe to hook everything up and observe if operation seems normal again. With that kind of problem, disconnect power before leaving the machine unattended.
