Liberty Cycler power issue...Help!

[Bambino_Bear]

Hello all.

Tonight was night 2 on the cycler.  Last night went great.  Tonight we got the 19M alarm and had to call FMC.  They said it was a power failure issue.  She said we were having some issues with not enough voltage.  Our house was built in the 1960's and still has a fuse box.  The outlets in the Kitchen, the garage, and the one on the back patio all have 3 prong outlets.  The bedrooms just have 2 prong.  I used one of those adapter things on the cycler so it could plug in.  It worked the first night.  I do not know how to change the outlet and ground it and we do not have money for an electrician.  The nurse said not to use a power strip, but has anyone done so?  I am freaking out a bit that we may not be able to use the cycler.   

Any thoughts or ideas are appreciated.   

[Shaks24]

Nikki, are there other items plugged in  the bedroom that could be drawing amperage from the same circuit that the cycler is plugged into? Things like heaters will draw quite a bit and if plugged into the same circuit and could cause a lack of steady voltage on the cycler. This could be an issue in older homes with the older type fuse boxes.

[Bambino_Bear]

There are some things plugged in.  TV, Playstation, lamp.  No heater.  I did some research and found something called GFCI outlet.  Anyone had luck with it?

[Bambino_Bear]

I am You Tubing how to change out an outlet.  Could it be the prong adapter that it causing the problem?

[KatieV]

For my NxStage cycler, I was told to use a power strip that had a surge protector built in.  It didn't go over well with the nosy landlord who peeped in the windows and then complained about us using an "extension cord".  So glad we moved out!

[Shaks24]

I do not think a GFCI is going to solve it. That is an outlet that is typically used in bathrooms and kitchens for outlets located near sinks(water). They are intended to shut the circuit down or turn off power in the event of a disruption of electrical flow to avoid potential shocks. This really may be worth the expense of having an electrician look at the situation and set you up with an outlet you can dedicate to the cycler or at least test the outlet you are using to see if there is another issue. What is really strange it that it worked on the first night. I imagine adding a good dedicated outlet would cost 150 - 200. Maybe you can call some electricians and get a rough estimate over the phone. I hope you figure it out.

[Joe]

Agree with Shaks24, the GFCI outlet won't help in this situation. Having your outlet tested to see what the current looks like at the outlet will tell you a lot about what is going on. Having a dedicated circuit would likely solve the problem.

[Bambino_Bear]

Thanks all for the replies!

So last night before we turned on the cycler I turned every thing else in the house off.  LOL

We did not have any problems.  So maybe it was just a random thing or maybe Shaks was right about having too much plugged into the circuit.

We like the Cycler so far.  He hardly drains that first drain though as the 500 has most likely been absorbed.  This gave him a negative UF last night of like 400.  The first night he had a UF of 87.  He still pees a lot too.  Should I be worried about the UF from last night?

Thanks all!   

[Shaks24]

If your fuses or circuits are labeled in the circuit box you can see what all is on the bedroom circuit. Usually bedrooms are wired on the same circuit so you could be careful as to what is plugged in at the bedrooms.  As he spends time on the cycler you will likely find that he drains better in certain positions. My sweet spot is laying on my right side curled up a bit.  When the cycler hits the drain cycle I almost instinctively roll over on my right side. When my cycler is having trouble pulling it makes funny hissing and pulsing noises and I then shift around a bit. Glad to hear it worked out last night. You guys have had enough problems and hopefully it will be smooth sailing from here.

[Joe]

Only worry about the UF if he starts to gain weight, that would mean he is retaining fluid. You will also see that in his ankles or his face. If the weight stays steady, you are doing ok, but do mention it to the PD team.

[Bambino_Bear]

Thanks Shaks and Joe!

So Joe, how awesome is your transplant?  :-)

[Joe]

Bambino_Bear, the transplant is absolutely fabulous! It is so wonderful to be back to an almost normal life now. I'm so grateful to my donor that there is really no way I can express it to her. Hoping and praying that it will last me for many years.

[Bambino_Bear]

All was fine with the power last night.  Also we had a UF 576 this morning!   

That is great Joe!  We have a living donor too and will be starting the process in January.  :-)

[Joe]

Hope and pray that all goes well with your donor, it can feel like the process takes forever. Just hang in there, you'll get through it.

[Shaks24]

Very happy for you guys Nikki. 

[JLM]

I had a 2 prong plug in converted to a 3 prong plug in by a handy man.  I also use a power strip with a surge protector.  I have had issues in the pastw\ with power surges, but not since using the power strip.  Several weeks ago my furnace was giving me problems and I used a 20 foot heavy duty power cord and wheeled my machine into the den and had no problems.  When I told the nurses and the doctor what I had to do, nothing was said.