concentrator issues

[donnam]

I am running a Beta on 2 oxygen concentrators in my very chilly basement (in the 40's at times) and one of my concentrators will not start up and continue to run without blowing the fuse on the back of the machine until after 4-7 startups. Is this because it is so cold in my basement and the concentrator needs to warm up a bit? Is there something wrong with the machine? My other machine starts up and runs without a problem so I am leaning towards their being a problem with the machine (duh). I did not have this problem when it was warmer in my basement.

Any suggestions? Feel free to tell me what an idiot I am!!

Thanks!
Donna

[RSimmons]

You didn't say what kind of concentrators you are using, but assuming that they are the same model it sounds like it's a problem with lubrication, bearings or drive belt in the offending machine (it is older?). The bearing lubricant in the compressor or drive motor might gel under colder conditions and cause a higher current draw that's popping your breaker. Friction warms it up a bit as you re-try starting and it lowers the viscosity just enough for it to run. Some drive belts can get stiff in the cold and have the same result until they loosen up a bit. I think that the lube is the more likely problem.

Robert