[Equipment] Problems starting REMstar Pro C-Flex +

[NickDanger]

That doesn't sound good. I hope the machine is still within its warranty period. Even better would be if it were still within its rental period.

[ChaosTheorist]

I’ve been using a REMstar Pro C-Flex + with humidifier for about three years. Recently I started to encounter a problem with the device: it would not start immediately, but would rather produce a beep, then after short delay – an attempt to blow some air, then it would cut blowing abruptly and the whole cycle would start over and over again, sometimes for about 5 minutes or more, then finally it would start working and would go normally for the whole night.
I tried to disconnect the humidifier, remove the card, disconnect the power supply, deactivate/reactivate auto on – nothing helps.
Maybe someone had the same experience – any ideas, how to overcome the problem?

Grateful Big Alex

My 3.3-year-old (April 2011) 450S started doing exactly the same thing last month. Sometimes it takes half a dozen cycles--as in, it tries to start several times, then gives up and starts the "help me!" beeping, which is stopped by pulling the plug, and that's one cycle--for it to get going. And it will drop out at the drop of a hat.

My solution: I saw my sleep guy yesterday, and have a prescription for a new unit.

FWIW, his hardware person told me that PR units are somewhat notorious for failing before their 4th birthday. Obviously individual results are meaningless (so, thanks to anyone who wanted to chime in with a "mine has been going for ten years!" ;-), but she is very clearly convinced that ResMed units are significantly more reliable than PR over the long haul. They sell both, and charge the same for each, so I don't know of any motivation she might have to steer me toward RM other than really believing it's a better choice. Which doesn't automatically mean that it is, of course.

[Galactus]

That message you see flashing pretty much says "Data is being written to the card don't remove it" or however it is phrased. Try turning the machine off, taking out the card, and turning it back on without the card inserted. It is possible the card is failing and causing the machine to fail by being unable to write to the card. Just a suggestion.

[Terry]

I’ve been using a REMstar Pro C-Flex + with humidifier for about three years. Recently I started to encounter a problem with the device: it would not start immediately, but would rather produce a beep, then after short delay – an attempt to blow some air, then it would cut blowing abruptly and the whole cycle would start over and over again, sometimes for about 5 minutes or more, then finally it would start working and would go normally for the whole night.

Sounds like it might be a bad power supply.

If you don't run the blower, does it work? (if you turn the knob does it do the right things?)

If you take it back to your DME, I'm sure they have another power supply you could try so you can see if that fixes it.

[Evpraxia]

I’ve been using a REMstar Pro C-Flex + with humidifier for about three years. Recently I started to encounter a problem with the device: it would not start immediately, but would rather produce a beep, then after short delay – an attempt to blow some air, then it would cut blowing abruptly and the whole cycle would start over and over again, sometimes for about 5 minutes or more, then finally it would start working and would go normally for the whole night.
I tried to disconnect the humidifier, remove the card, disconnect the power supply, deactivate/reactivate auto on – nothing helps.
Maybe someone had the same experience – any ideas, how to overcome the problem?

Grateful Big Alex

My 3.3-year-old (April 2011) 450S started doing exactly the same thing last month. Sometimes it takes half a dozen cycles--as in, it tries to start several times, then gives up and starts the "help me!" beeping, which is stopped by pulling the plug, and that's one cycle--for it to get going. And it will drop out at the drop of a hat.

My solution: I saw my sleep guy yesterday, and have a prescription for a new unit.

FWIW, his hardware person told me that PR units are somewhat notorious for failing before their 4th birthday. Obviously individual results are meaningless (so, thanks to anyone who wanted to chime in with a "mine has been going for ten years!" ;-), but she is very clearly convinced that ResMed units are significantly more reliable than PR over the long haul. They sell both, and charge the same for each, so I don't know of any motivation she might have to steer me toward RM other than really believing it's a better choice. Which doesn't automatically mean that it is, of course.

Interesting what the hardware person had to say; my sleep specialist said the exact opposite.

[Evpraxia]

That message you see flashing pretty much says "Data is being written to the card don't remove it" or however it is phrased. Try turning the machine off, taking out the card, and turning it back on without the card inserted. It is possible the card is failing and causing the machine to fail by being unable to write to the card. Just a suggestion.

My hubby used to use the Remstar Pro C flex Model 1005961 and we thought the credit sized card captured useful data that could be read by medical staff; uh, not really. It basically only says usage time.

Running the Remstar Pro C flex without the card should not be any problem at all and I Completely agree with Galactus - take the card out and try that. Can't hurt and might help.

[trish6hundred]

I’ve been using a REMstar Pro C-Flex + with humidifier for about three years. Recently I started to encounter a problem with the device: it would not start immediately, but would rather produce a beep, then after short delay – an attempt to blow some air, then it would cut blowing abruptly and the whole cycle would start over and over again, sometimes for about 5 minutes or more, then finally it would start working and would go normally for the whole night.
I tried to disconnect the humidifier, remove the card, disconnect the power supply, deactivate/reactivate auto on – nothing helps.
Maybe someone had the same experience – any ideas, how to overcome the problem?

Grateful Big Alex

My 3.3-year-old (April 2011) 450S started doing exactly the same thing last month. Sometimes it takes half a dozen cycles--as in, it tries to start several times, then gives up and starts the "help me!" beeping, which is stopped by pulling the plug, and that's one cycle--for it to get going. And it will drop out at the drop of a hat.

My solution: I saw my sleep guy yesterday, and have a prescription for a new unit.

FWIW, his hardware person told me that PR units are somewhat notorious for failing before their 4th birthday. Obviously individual results are meaningless (so, thanks to anyone who wanted to chime in with a "mine has been going for ten years!" ;-), but she is very clearly convinced that ResMed units are significantly more reliable than PR over the long haul. They sell both, and charge the same for each, so I don't know of any motivation she might have to steer me toward RM other than really believing it's a better choice. Which doesn't automatically mean that it is, of course.

Hi ChaosTheorist,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Best of luck to you as you continue your CPAP therapy.