Humidifier spilled in CPAP!!!

aeroscout17 · Post by **aeroscout17** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:49 am

The other night I somehow knocked or pulled my machine off the nightstand. Of course it sucked in some water before I could get it disconnected. I immediately drained the machine and have left it sitting for 4 or 5 days now. Haven't been able to shake any water out for a couple of days.

What do you think the odds are that it still works? I am thinking about firing it up tonight.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:57 am

50-50

Is there any way you can remove the casing to further let it dry? I would be afraid of the mother board getting rust on it.

Been there and done that.

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:58 am

Ehhh! I believe that I would take the hose off and set a hair dryer on a low setting and let it blow inside the machine long enough to dry out any moisteure that might remain in there.
I have been told that there is a fuse in the machine. Never looked for it myself and can't say for sure.

WindFlyer · Post by **WindFlyer** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:15 pm

I'd take the cover off and make sure there's no water hiding anywhere and to check if there's any corrosion. The warranty's probably already a moot point since it was not their fault so I'd go ahead and crack it open for a look.

neverbetter · Post by **neverbetter** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:23 pm

is it still under warrantee?

jennmary · Post by **jennmary** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:26 pm

yeah, my DME made sure to tell me that if I ever got water in the machine the warranty was gone. I would carefully open it up and let it sit open for a day or 2 just to make sure everything was dry.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:39 pm

if the machine was running at the time it wouldn't have sucked in any water unless it got in the foam intake at the back of the machine.

If the machine was running, it would have been blowing outward and have pushed any water out vs. in.

You would have to place your left hand on top of the humidifier and with your right hand find the little lip on the front of the machine near the bottom and lift UP on the machine, it will separate from the humidifier platform. Get out the plastic adapter port cover that came with the machine, snap it on the back and turn on the machine if no water comes out consider yourself lucky.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 7:10 pm

Linda3032 wrote:50-50

Is there any way you can remove the casing to further let it dry? I would be afraid of the mother board getting rust on it.

Been there and done that.

If the water only went into the air out hole than there is little liklihood the motherboard got wet - that internal air circuit is air tight.

The sooner the machine is turned on the better else the bearings in the motor may start to rust if water or moisture reaches them. Rusty bearings make the machine sound like a jet engine.

DSM

#2
This link shows what can happen - this was a brand new machine where the owner had filled the h/h then put it in its carry bag & left it for a while

http://www.internetage.com/cpapinfo/rem ... index.html

D

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:11 pm

Had that happen - humidifer over half full dumped into my ResMed Spirit Auto. Stood it on end overnight, used hair dryer on low for about 15 minutes. Plugged it in and it worked like usual. Sure hope your story turns out as favorable.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:28 pm

Ooops! Reminds me of a stunt I pulled. I was SUPPOSED to get a RemStar Pro2 w/C-Flex and integrated humidifier. I didn't realize until after the RT left that what I was given was a RemStar Plus w/13 hours on it. Matter of fact, I didn't realize it until the next day. I was tired, I was exhausted, I was one ticked off putzy!! I packed it all up and traipsed off to the DME to return it.

I didn't realize until several weeks later - I didn't empty the humidifier!!!!

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:40 pm

[quote="oceanpearl"]Ehhh! I believe that I would take the hose off and set a hair dryer on a low setting and let it blow inside the machine long enough to dry out any moisteure that might remain in there.
I have been told that there is a fuse in the machine. Never looked for it myself and can't say for sure.

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:55 pm

Just FYI - I have seen people say on this board that their DMEs replaced the machine when this happened. Before cracking it open, you might call and ask. Can't hurt to ask before you try to take it apart. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:56 pm

When you get it dried and it works again (hopefully) put it on the floor, not the nightstand.

PS. I dumped a half a glass of cola on my laptop keyboard. Shut it down immediately and mopped and rinsed and dried for a couple days and amazingly enough it is fine. A little sticky but that has resolved itself over time.

So if you get these things turned off quickly before the water gets somewhere critical it is quite possible that you can dry it out and continue using it.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:38 pm

I was extremely lucky when I messed up my machine. I forgot to empty the humidifier when I packed it up to travel, and then like a dummy I plugged it in to see if it would work. It didn't.

It was out of warranty, but I called the internet DME that sold it to me. I was honest with him as to what I had done. He overnighted me a loaner, had me return mine to Respironics Repair, and they repaired it free of charge. The paperwork said they replaced the mother board.

But they never charged me a penny -- not even shipping the units.

When I got my original machine back, it had one of the new "water guards". I think maybe Respironics felt liable because their humidifiers weren't equiped to prevent backsplashes - or something.

Anyway, it was a happy ending for me and made me feel that I made a good decision in getting a Respironics machine. Hope your machine dries out and works fine.

jennmary · Post by **jennmary** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:38 pm

You could turn a fan on high and put the cpap right in front of it......that way it isnt hot and nothing can melt. ????

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP

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Humidifier spilled in CPAP!!!

Humidifier spilled in CPAP!!!

Water in machine