power cord failure?

[jem310]

I started using a CPAP machine on 4/10/13 and it stopped working on 7/5/13; no lights, nothing. Of course it was a Friday night and my supply company was closed. I called the manufacturer (Phillips) on Saturday, told him everything I had done and the technician told me that the problem seemed to be in the power cord itself and most likely that box like thing.

I called my supply company on Monday. What a run-around! I offered to come to their location anytime but the respiratory people were out. All the time? Finally one kind soul offered the ship it to me by UPS. Great!!!!!! Well, it is 7/15/13 and no cord! I'm calling tomorrow morning and raising heck!

Has anyone else had this problem? Does this happen frequently? Should I order another power pack?

[Pugsy]

A problem with the power supply doesn't happen all that often but it does happen.
When a machine quits working that is the first thing that we suspect.
They aren't horribly expensive but it is an item that is covered by the warranty and the supplier should promptly take care of it.
I would be raising heck about it also. Is the supplier anywhere close to where you live?

[purple]

As a general rule, one is to call the DME one has. All the DME's I have used will have their phone changed over to a service so one can get technical support 24/7.

Manufacturers never want to talk to end users, that is what the DME is for. Nearly always a waste of time to talk to the manufacturer, who will not do anything to replace the machine , until it has been certified as defective, by your DME, or someone who is qualified. Our sponsor, cpap.com, will for a fee, evaluate a machine, and tell you whether it is defective by the standards of manufacturer. Your DME is supposed to be willing to do this machine evaluation for free, (I think), and would be responsible for handing you a new machine very quickly if they find yours is no good. But of course, the co pays might start again. All that is variable.

I can only Janknitz can come by here and tell me what I got wrong (I usually do).

But simply, it is very frustrating to try to get help from the machine manufacturer.

[STL Mark]

As it turns out the cord going from the wall to the power supply is the same on both the respironics and resmed for current model machines. It is also the same one used by my cable company for the dvr box and one of my TVs. So you may be able to find a compatible cord in your own home if you look around. Laptop computers frequently use the same cord between their power supply and the wall.

Any cord with this type of connector would work:
http://datasheets.globalspec.com/ds/434 ... 049E1FAC6C

If you have a Radio Shack store near you a 61-210 cord works.

[Fizzled]

As it turns out the cord going from the wall to the power supply is the same on both the respironics and resmed for current model machines. It is also the same one used by my cable company for the dvr box and one of my TVs. So you may be able to find a compatible cord in your own home if you look around. Laptop computers frequently use the same cord between their power supply and the wall.

Any cord with this type of connector would work:
http://datasheets.globalspec.com/ds/434 ... 049E1FAC6C

If you have a Radio Shack store near you a 61-210 cord works.

Do these devices have internal AC>DC converters? My PR 560 has an external AC>DC adapter rated for 80 watts.

If they have external adapters (power supplies), that's most likely what's being referred to by the OP.

Otherwise the power adapters aren't generic, the male connector that goes into the machine has specific inner and outer diameters, the adapter itself has specific output voltage and is rated for a certain amount of amperage at that voltage. Getting any of these parts wrong at best means an adapter that doesn't work. Worst case can break the machine (such as reversing the polarity on the connector).

@OP, if you know anyone with a multimeter you can have them give the power supply an basic voltage test. If it fails this test it's definitely bad, but if it tests good it doesn't mean it's good.

[jem310]

Thank you all for your answers and suggestions. Well I called them today and totally chickened out of blasting someone! Their answer was "We had a problem with the UPS pickup. It will arrive tomorrow." I'm sure that translated to "it didn't go out until Monday!" I told the person that I had been willing to pick it up last week as I was off work. I'm back at work this week but I'm only 5 miles away from them!

Can I change DMEs? I am not happy with the way this one handles problems!

[jdm2857]

As it turns out the cord going from the wall to the power supply is the same on both the respironics and resmed for current model machines.

Mark is referring to the power cord that runs from the wall to the power supply (brick), not the power supply itself. The cord is detachable because it is
all that has to be changed to sell the machines almost anywhere. The power supply adapts to multiple voltages and frequencies, so it's only the plug
at the wall end of the cord that has to change.

It's the same one as used on the ResMed S8s as well.

[Pugsy]

Can I change DMEs? I am not happy with the way this one handles problems!

Yes, you can change DMEs at anytime. You don't have to get masks and supplies from the same place you got your machine.
You can just quietly go find another supplier for your other equipment needs.
Do check with your insurance company to make sure you find one that your insurance is going to work with.
You will likely need to sign a release to get your medical records about your OSA and sleep study to the new DME but they should know how to handle it.
This can all be done without doing anything about the machine you currently have.

[Bobby269]

Unless your insurance is Humana Gold + HMO. In this case you only have one choice and its Apria.

[Jem310]

[quote][/quote] Hi everyone, this is an update. The new power cord came on 7/17 and the remstar still did not work. UGH!
I brought my machine to work with me and called first thing this morning. They couldn't have been nicer! Anyway, I spent my lunch hour going to their office and exchanging it for one that works.
I am feeling the effects of not using my CPAP and I fell asleep at my desk this afternoon. Before I was diagnosed and started on my Cpap I used to be so drowsy driving to work in the morning it was scary. I must have had an angel on my shoulder that kept me from killing myself or some innocent person.

I talked to the respiratory therapist today about nasal pillows instead of the nasal mask I use. Does anyone have experience with that. My mask puts pressure on my top teeth and causes gum swelling.