Philips Respironics System One problem

I have had nothing but trouble with my Philips Respironics Sysyem One Bipap. My DME just switched out the unit for the third time and the same problem keeps occurring. The machine shuts off while I am sleeping and I wake up because I am literally being suffocated and there is a steady beep. There is nothing that can be done at this point but to unplug the unit and then plug it back in and sometimes I can get up to an hours sleep before it happens again. The DME is acting like there is nothing wrong and it takes a couple days for them to come out each time and I have a hard time sleeping with no bipap at all. Has anyone run into this problem, I am at the end of my rope with this and even tried calling Philips which was a huge waste of time because they won't help you and tell you to call your provider.

Is it possible you have Split Night set to ON?? If so, turn if OFF, that's the only thing I can come up with. Also check if Mask Alert is set to ON, you might try it turned OFF. Keep us posted.

Don't have a split sleep as far as I know. Just tried to take a nap and it is shutting off every 5 minutes again. I am thinking maybe there is something wrong with the power cord since they haven't switched that out only the unit.

Check to make sure they aren't just giving you the same machine back--write down the serial number--don't trust the DME.

Check the build date (it's somewhere on the bottom of the machine-I'm sure someone here can tell you where to look).

Also see if you can find the firmware build and try to get a machine with a different version.

If your DME can't won't help you, contact PR directly. I've seen other complaints about this, and I'm guessing it's a known manufacturers defect so they should replace it under warranty, but you may need to get PR to light a fire under the DME.

Cathy said she has already called PR and their only response was to go back to her local DME provider. Given the KNOWN problem and the many replacements for this problem by PR that certainly does NOT speak well for PR!!!!!!

Given the situation, now is the time to make some NOISE! A tactful but strong letter of complaint to PR sent Certified, Return Receipt Requested. The same to the local DME provider. Yet another to your state business licensing board. Try to see if your sleep doctor or sleep lab will assist you in this matter.

Ask the DME to swap out power supply (both cords including the brick) since you say that hasn't been changed.
Perhaps a bad connector or other internal component in the power supply. Multiple machines with same problem is very odd.

Cathy,

1] Check the bottom plate on your PR S1 for the manufacture date (and serial number).
2] When unplugging and plugging your S1 back in keep a close eye on the LED screen for the software version number, it appears and disappears quickly.
3] Go thru the entire Clinicians Menu and make sure that Split Night, SmartStart and SmartStop (or AutoStart/AutoStop) are both turned OFF.
4] As Pugsy suggested ask that both power supply cords (w/power brick) be exchanged. (Unobtrusively mark them w/finger nail polish or some such so you can tell if they really have been exchanged).

It does sound like you are being taking advantage of by an uncaring or less than honest local DME supplier. At the very least they should be checking these things out themselves in your presence.

Just a shot in the dark, but on the chance that the DME actually did swap out your machine three times - is it at all possible that the problem is not in the machine, but is in your electrical outlet instead?

Some sort of electrical fault - low voltage, a short-circuit, reversed polarity, strong RF interference, or another device with a heavy draw on the same circuit - in other words, something that kicks in other than the machine itself, that the machine might be reacting to?

Just a thought.

I have a PRS1 machine where the plug on the back of the machine doesn't seem to fit right. If I jiggle the plug, the machine will turn off and back on. Check to see if you have this problem.

I didn't check to see how old this post is. If you haven't had it fixed yet. I'm working to fix same issue. Don't let anyone tell you it's anything but the sensor for the heating element. You can get the machine to work without the heating element on after you unplug it, flip it to zero before it turns pressure on. It will work fine...only problem is your without steam. Turns out it's super important.

Cathy2903 wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 26, 2011 2:19 pm

Don't have a split sleep as far as I know. Just tried to take a nap and it is shutting off every 5 minutes again. I am thinking maybe there is something wrong with the power cord since they haven't switched that out only the unit.

Yes, I had the same problem. It was the power supply not the CPAP unit.
Tested the power supply (12V 6.6A) with a dummy load (50W light bulb ~ 4A) and the power supply voltage dropped to 5.5V..... fail!
I used another (good) power supply and all good, no problems.

I have tested 20 to 30 brand new Respironics power supplies at the local electrical junk market and found about 40% didn't meet the specifications stated on the label.

I have since purchased 2 spare power supplies from eBay for AU$12.00 each. Make sure you get ones with the correct plug for your CPAP machine.