Troubleshooting K-Series

Depending upon your computer settings when your computer goes into standby mode the USB communication can also shut down; consequently both the Breathe-Link® and POWERbreathe K-Series unit can be out of synch. To re-synch either press the connect button on the Breathe-Link®, or disconnect the POWERbreathe and reconnect.

Values from the POWERbreathe device and Breathe-Link® software should not vary more then +-10% + 5 cmH20. To consistently breathe at the same rate and effort for each new session is impossible, consequently variations of results will be observed. Ideally if you are performing a test or training session with or without the Breathe-Link® software you should try to perform them at the same time and same effort to get a accurate overview of your breathing muscle performance.

The POWERbreathe unit load displayed corresponds to the highest training load achieved (highest weight lifted) during your breathing training session. The Breathe-Link® pressure represents the average pressure ‘average weight lifted’ generated by the breathing muscles. Arguably this gives you a better indication of how the breathing muscles are performing against a variable load training session. A higher load result means that you are training your inspiratory muscles harder, leading to stronger muscles.

Make sure the software you have downloaded or been supplied with is correct for the model of POWERbreathe K-Series that you have. POWERbreathe K-Series versions are not interchangeable between Breathe-Link® K4, K5 and KH2 units.

Make sure that the correct drivers have been installed. Uninstall and reinstall the Breathe-Link® software making sure that you agree with the terms and conditions, and tick the agree box. Click OK when asked to install drivers. In some instance where the battery of the POWERbreathe K-Series device is very low, the drivers fail to detect the POWERbreathe. In this instance connect the POWERbreathe K-Series device as normal and briefly push the ON button of the POWERbreathe. The associated drivers will then be detected and normal connection procedures should be applied. Make sure the POWERbreathe K-Series device is switched OFF before attempting to connect with the Breathe-Link® Software.

Make sure no other device is connected to the PC/MAC that draws more then 500amps.

If the problem still persists contact supplier of the device.

The POWERbreathe device will try to maintain a variable load for each breath, if you fail to overcome the load set during a course of a breath most likely due to fatigue of the respiratory muscles you will see a sudden drop of pressure plotted. In essence you have reached the point of failure, where the muscles have reached a point where it cannot overcome the load and fatigue has taken place. This is commonly seen at the end of a training session, if you see this behaviour early in the training session then it is a good indicator that the training load set is too high or you need to put more effort in each breath to maximise your volume.

Make sure the valve is not sticky. If the valve is blocked then you may see erroneous results. The spikes can also be a result of erratic breathing technique or evidence that you are struggling with the current settings causing erratic breathing.

In most cases you should not see a lock up of the POWERbreathe K-Series device, however in some rare instances communications between the Breathe-Link® software and POWERbreathe K-Series may be corrupted by abusive behaviour of these buttons. Therefore when adjusting the training load using the up and down buttons you should increase and decrease the values slowly and in a positive fashion, a 1 second pause for each click of the adjustment buttons. POWERbreathe International Ltd views any behaviour beyond the one described above as unexpected abusive behaviour.

The first two breaths are setup breaths so that he device can calculate training parameters used to set up an ideal variable load training profile. The setup breaths will always be set at a very low load of 3cmH20 and count as a part of your overall training session. Breaths 3 and 4 are set at a gradual percentage of calculated training load, for consistency the device will not allow you to increase or decrease the load until after breath 5.

The first two breaths are setup breaths so that the device can calculate training parameters used to set up an ideal variable load training profile. The setup breaths will always be set at a very low load of 3cmH20 and is counted as a part of your overall training session.

1. In some instances if the POWERbreathe K-Series device is left unused for a period of time the unit will not automatically go into charge mode. You should connect the charger to the USB and then briefly push the ON button and ensure that the red light comes on then leave to charge for the full 16 hours. If the red light flashes or it won’t hold it’s charge then:

2. Your K-Series may need a Global Reset:

• Whilst plugged in to the mains charger hold down both buttons, for approx 10 seconds. This should reset the battery indicator and the red LED should light and start a charge cycle. Allow unit to charge until Red light goes off or at least eight hours.

3. If the Global Reset does not resolve the problem then the battery will most likely have expired and you may need to replace it should you wish to use the device remotely. If this is the case we offer a replacement battery service at £24.94 including return to a UK address.

4. Please note: the POWERbreathe device can be used whilst connected to the mains or via PC for training purposes even when the battery has expired.

The POWERbreathe K-Series device has a mechanism that ensures that only valid breaths are counted, if your volume is less then 0.5 litres then the device will not count this as a valid breath. This is to protect you and the device. 

Check that the resistance setting is not too difficult.

During the first 2 breaths of a session there is no resistance and the device is taking a measurement of your maximum inspiratory muscle strength. This is what is used to determine the resistance load for that training session.

Over the next few breaths the resistance is introduced so it becomes harder to breathe in through the device. If you have the device on a high setting, the resistance, when introduced at breath 28 onwards could be too difficult for you to overcome and it will feel like the valve is stuck.

Also, check that your level setting isn’t too high.

If you are using the device in “Auto” mode, check what level you have set the device to, for example, very light, light, moderate, hard or very hard. We would usually recommend that you start on ‘very light’, especially when first using the device because it enables you to develop a good diaphragmatic breathing technique.

Please check that the valve head is connected to the main body of the device correctly. If the valve head is not clicked in to place correctly this can result in the connection being lost and the device will not always register the breaths.

Please ensure that the valve is cleaned regularly to avoid any build-up of saliva that may cause the valve head to stick.

Make sure the valve is not sticky. If the valve is blocked then you may see erroneous results. The skipping of breaths can also be a result of erratic breathing technique or evidence that you are struggling with the current settings causing erratic breathing. In some instances the POWERbreathe device will count short pauses of a breath as a valid breath. Inhale as quickly and as deeply as possible through the mouthpiece.

Clean the valve thoroughly with recommended cleansing (sterilising) tablets. Move the valve head back and forth (Open to Close) while rinsing under mid warm water until it moves freely without any major resistance. Wait until fully dried and move the valve head back and forth (Open to Close) ensuring that it moves freely before attaching to the POWERbreathe K-Series device. For more detail please refer to your POWERbreathe K-Series manual section 11 Care and Maintenance.

If the valve is not opening or seems to jam during a training session it is mostly likely that you are failing to overcome the training load. This could be because the training load set is to high or you are fatiguing during the training session.  Reduce the load until you can perform 30 breaths.

Make sure the valve is not sticky. If the valve is blocked then the valve may not open. Refer to your manual, section 11 Care and Maintenance.

Ensure that the valve head is attached correctly to the POWERbreathe K-Series unit. Failing to do this will mean that the gears will fail to mesh and therefore the valve may not open or close.

The POWERbreathe K-Series device introduces a gradual increase of load for the first 5 breaths of the training session. Once you have reached breath 5 the load is set at its maximum target-training load, and therefore becomes more difficult to overcome. The valve will not activate until you have overcome the maximum training load set by the device. Consequently if the maximum training load set is to great for you to overcome it may seem that the device is not functioning correctly. We recommend: If you are operating in an automatic mode set the intensity level to a lower level. Alternatively change to manual mode and set the load manually starting with a low load and increase the load by 5 cmH20 until you have a training load that you can complete a complete session (30 breaths) with some difficulty.