26-08-2010, 09:23
Brava suction
January 30 2008 at 10:54 PM Michelle (no login)
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I just started using brava this week. this is the first day i am having trouble maintaining suction. i cannot hear or feel any visible leaks but the smartbox keeps going off every 5 minutes. It reaches its desired pressure and shuts off but then comes back on 5 minutes later. I have tried taking domes off and reapplying them, but it didn't help. any thoughts? thanks.
Author Reply
Louise
(Login Louise1982)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: suction January 31 2008, 5:21 AM
Fold over the plastic tubing, unsrcrew the box, suck out more air with your mouth, fold the tube again to hold it like that and put the box back on. This will give stronger suction so should seal better. Don't suck too much to start or you end up with red hickey typre bruises near the armpits - good luck!
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Micheller
(no login) re; suction January 31 2008, 8:24 AM
Thanks!
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Louise
(no login) Re: suction January 31 2008, 11:38 AM
Hope this worked - it's actually bad for the box to suck out a lot then put the box on so you might want to make an airlock out of fish tank tubing and a one-way valve (check valve) in the same shape as the Brava tubes (use a T-connector to attach the three bits). This will allow you to use much stronger suction and will cost you about £2 anf take 5 mins to make. This obviously has no alarm so you may want to use the airlock in the evening and then put the box on before you go to sleep (although I slept with just the airlock for 24 weeks and the domes never fell off). Also, using the big bra presses hard on your sternum area so you may be more comfortable with a loose T-shirt or zip up sweatshirt. I used to put a man's size T-shirt over the domes then a tight zip up sweatshirt and zip it up to just under the domes which creates like a pouch to hold them on.
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livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: suction January 31 2008, 1:27 PM
When I had trouble with suction, the following worked:
Make sure skin is clean and dry (free of lotions). Wash skin with baby shampoo or ivory bar soap before applying domes
Apply no-sting prep wipes where domes adhere and allow to dry full 10 minutes before applying domes
Make sure domes are straight and not flared out too much at bottom sides against your ribs
I hope this helps - Good luck
Edit Message Delete Message
livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: suction January 31 2008, 9:17 PM
Did you buy your system used or new? If used, run a full 2-hour dry cleaning cycle on the box. Maybe it needs cleaned. There is also a wet cycle but I've not had to use it. Be sure you carefully follow instructions for wet cleaning so you don't damage the box.
January 30 2008 at 10:54 PM Michelle (no login)
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I just started using brava this week. this is the first day i am having trouble maintaining suction. i cannot hear or feel any visible leaks but the smartbox keeps going off every 5 minutes. It reaches its desired pressure and shuts off but then comes back on 5 minutes later. I have tried taking domes off and reapplying them, but it didn't help. any thoughts? thanks.
Author Reply
Louise
(Login Louise1982)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: suction January 31 2008, 5:21 AM
Fold over the plastic tubing, unsrcrew the box, suck out more air with your mouth, fold the tube again to hold it like that and put the box back on. This will give stronger suction so should seal better. Don't suck too much to start or you end up with red hickey typre bruises near the armpits - good luck!
Edit Message Delete Message
Micheller
(no login) re; suction January 31 2008, 8:24 AM
Thanks!
Edit Message Delete Message
Louise
(no login) Re: suction January 31 2008, 11:38 AM
Hope this worked - it's actually bad for the box to suck out a lot then put the box on so you might want to make an airlock out of fish tank tubing and a one-way valve (check valve) in the same shape as the Brava tubes (use a T-connector to attach the three bits). This will allow you to use much stronger suction and will cost you about £2 anf take 5 mins to make. This obviously has no alarm so you may want to use the airlock in the evening and then put the box on before you go to sleep (although I slept with just the airlock for 24 weeks and the domes never fell off). Also, using the big bra presses hard on your sternum area so you may be more comfortable with a loose T-shirt or zip up sweatshirt. I used to put a man's size T-shirt over the domes then a tight zip up sweatshirt and zip it up to just under the domes which creates like a pouch to hold them on.
Edit Message Delete Message
livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: suction January 31 2008, 1:27 PM
When I had trouble with suction, the following worked:
Make sure skin is clean and dry (free of lotions). Wash skin with baby shampoo or ivory bar soap before applying domes
Apply no-sting prep wipes where domes adhere and allow to dry full 10 minutes before applying domes
Make sure domes are straight and not flared out too much at bottom sides against your ribs
I hope this helps - Good luck
Edit Message Delete Message
livinonaprayer
(no login) Re: suction January 31 2008, 9:17 PM
Did you buy your system used or new? If used, run a full 2-hour dry cleaning cycle on the box. Maybe it needs cleaned. There is also a wet cycle but I've not had to use it. Be sure you carefully follow instructions for wet cleaning so you don't damage the box.