Spectra 9 Plus Portable Double Electric Questions & Answers

Hey Ashley, sounds like your shield kit parts are due replacement.

We recommend replacing them regularly to avoid suction loss which can affect your pumping needs, or impact on your output.

If you send us a message to [email protected], we can let you know which parts need replacement and how often, depending on your use. :)

Hi Miranda, not sure if you have replaced your shield kit parts at all?

You should probably check in with us by sending a message to us at [email protected] so we can see a video of what is happening, and understand more about the care and use of the pump and parts so we can help you get this sorted out. :)

Hi Jamie, oh no! I am sorry to hear this. :(

We would not encourage people opening up and playing with electrical equipment I am afraid. :(

If you contact our Customer Service Team, we can chat to our technician and see if he thinks this is something that would be worth trying to repair. :)

Our email is [email protected]

I will keep an eye out for your message.

The Spectra team

Hi Darci, thanks for your question.

You sure can get milk in the pump itself, and that is usually caused by using the pump without backflow protectors, or not ensuring they are dry before use. :( If you have milk in the tubing, there is a high likelihood their is condensation at least in the motor casing. :(

This does void the warranty I am afraid.

It might be a good idea to contact us so you can explore if there is a way to help you with a paid service to see if the pump can be saved. :)

You can message us at [email protected]. I will keep an eye out for your message. :)

Georgie
Spectra team

Hi Amy, sorry to hear about your pump. :(

I would recommend you contact us directly at [email protected] with your serial number and a video that demonstrates what is happening, and we can see how to best help you.

I will keep an eye out for your message. :)

Best
Georgie
Spectra team

Hi Shelby, can you contact us at [email protected]?

We are able to help people with suction issues get pumping pretty quickly with some troubleshooting 95% of the time. It is usually always the shield kit that needs parts to be replaced - namely the valves and backflow protectors. :)

If you have those spare parts, try them. If your backflow protectors move when the pump is turned on, it indicates it is not the pump, but the shield kit parts that need replacing. :)

I will keep an eye out for your message so we can help you.

Best
Georgie
Spectra team

Hey Victoria - thanks for your question :-)

We don't know of any way of checking on the hours that a 9+ pump has done. We do have a code for our S1 and S2 you can put in, but they are more a bit of fun, and for manufacturing diagnositcs, not meant as a true reflection of hours. They can be reset by a number of things so arent always accurate.

I'd be very surprised if a 9+ had done 8000 hours, the motor life is only 1500 hours, so I think it would be well and truly dead if it had really done 8000 hours :-) The reading is almost certainly not right :-)

Best,
Alli
Spectra team

Hi Sharifah - thanks for your question!

Usually when there is a reduction in suction it tends to be related to your parts - either the assembly or the parts themselves. With such brand new parts, I'd think in your case it is to do with assembly. Check out our shield assembly video here on You Tube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbAEIWa0P6I There are a few other videos on the page that may help you out too.

Often the small white discs that go onto the blue valve head can be the culprits, so check those out first. Set your pump up as a single only at first, so you can narrow down which part is the issue, and swap out each one with the second set you have. If you are still having trouble, please get in touch with us - our Customer Support Team is always happy to help, va email Facebook or chat on our website!

Hope that helps,
Alli
Spectra Team

Hi Apple,

Thanks for asking! It sounds very much like you need to replace some of your parts. Generally when suction reduces, or you notice one side is not suctioning great anymore, it means that the valves need replacing.

We recommend the duck valves are replaced every 2 - 3 months, or sooner if you are exclusively expressing. The backflow protectors should also be replaced every 6 months or so. Heres a link to the duck valves for you:

https://spectra-baby.com.au/shop/accessories/breast-pump-valve/

If replacing those valves doesn't help, then please get in touch with our Customer Support team who will be able to troubleshoot more with you. We are available via email ([email protected]), our Facebook page, live chat or phone :-)

Warm regards,
Alli
Spectra Team

Hi Livy,

Great question! We don't have any milk storage bags available at the moment, however you can use any brand to pour your expressed milk into. Let us know if you need more info!

Warm regards
Alli
Spectra Team

Hi Elaine,

Please be assured, many of our mums use their pumps every day while flying and never have any issues, and find the airline staff very supportive of their need to express milk for their baby, so don't hesitate to chat to them about how they can help you.

Here is the link to the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority guidelines about travelling with devices that contain lithium ion batteries: https://www.casa.gov.au/standard-page/travelling-safely-batteries - we understand most international guidelines are similar.

The lithium ion batteries contained in the Spectra pumps falls under the first category in the link supplied: batteries under 100Wh (watt hours) rating.

The CASA link says to calculate the watt hours, you multiply the voltage (V) by the milli-amp hours (mAh) and then divide by 1000.

Spectra S1 & 9+ pumps have a 12v battery and 900mAh. These details are provided on the sticker on the pumps so that you can show it to airport staff if required.

When using the calculation supplied by CASA, 12v * 900mAh / 1000 = 10.8Wh

This shows that the Spectra pumps fall under the first category in the CASA link, and are safe to be carried and used onboard (although some airlines will request they are not used during take off & landing).

So, in short - no problems with the 9+ and flying :-)

Warm regards
Alli
Spectra Team

Hi Meanne,

Thanks for your question. In general we recommend our hospital grade pumps (Dew 350, S1 and S2) for Mums that are planning on pumping as often as every 3 hours. The motors in these are heavy duty and designed for the extra workload of increasing supply.

The 9+ is smaller, lighter pump, and is designed for use once or twice a day. It also has less flexibility in varying your cycle and suction levels independently, which most Mums who pump often need. The motor hours for the 9+ are the same as the S1 / S2 - 1500, its simply that the motor is designed for lighter use. The internal battery is Li-ion and should last the life of the machine. It is covered under warranty for 2 years, so if you ever have an issue with it, please just get in touch.

Warm regards
Alli
Spectra team

Hi Graham,

Thanks for your question - I am sorry that appear to be having some difficulty with your pump.

The most common issue we have experienced with pumps not switching on or charging is that the Australian adapter isn't fully pushed into the charger. It does require a little bit of elbow grease the first time, but you will hear a loud click when it has been pushed down all the way. Can you please take your adaptor apart, and assemble it again, till you hear that loud click?

Here's a video to describe further:

https://spectra-baby.com.au/faq-assembling-power-adapter/

If you give this a go, and theres still no luck, then please get in touch with our Customer Service team and we can help you out further. Our email is [email protected] or on our Facebook Page.

Warm regards
Alli
Spectra Team

Hi Aleks,

Thanks for your question. You can absolutely use a pump to help you to build your supply. Generally we would recommend using a hospital grade pump, such as our S1, S2 and Dew 350 to build supply, rather than the 9+ as it is designed for use a couple of times a day. Our hospital grade pumps are designed to be used 6 - 8 times a day, which would be more appropriate to build supply.

If you would like more info, please get in touch with our customer support team, via email ([email protected]) or message us on our Facebook page.

Kind regards,
Alli
Spectra Team