Overfilling Dreamstation Auto-BiPAP humidifier

[bernardc]

FYI:
My Dreamstation Auto-BiPAP quit the other night with the cryptic error message, "Low Leak: Check Mask and Tube." The user manual, of no help, says "Blockage at tube or mask." No, there's no problem with the mask and tube. The provider manual doesn't cover malfunctions. The service manual echos the user manual. So much for the manuals.

Here's the real story: Spilled water from overfilling gets into the adapter that connects the humidifier to the main unit. You'd think the water would just get blown out, but because of the odd fan curve, a weak blockage won't get blown out. The odd fan curve is what makes the pressure-flow relationship funny, making EPAP lower pressure than IPAP. In particular, the pressure is lowest when the flow is blocked. "Low leak" means that there's not enough leakage to allow the controller to turn up the fan power and raise the pressure.

Repair: Disconnect the humidifier from the main unit. Remove the water tray. It's probably adequate to shake out all the water you can, shaking like a madman in every direction. You could also blow it out by mouth. If you like to tinker, you can remove the adapter and silicone gaskets and dry it all out. Run the blower to verify that the error has vanished.

Another method that would probably work: Set the mode to fixed CPAP, and crank the pressure all the way up. That should blow out the water. Then return to Auto BiPAP.

I hope this helps someone.

[chunkyfrog]

Is that your cat?
Totally gorgeous!

[bernardc]

Is that your cat?
Totally gorgeous!

Yes, thank you, he's my cat, displaying his ongoing fascination with water from the kitchen faucet.

[MrsRinPDX]

Thanks for the tip. I've also noticed that if you slightly overfill, you can hear the water being moved by the air blown over it. As you can attest, the fill line is darn hard to see on this model so this is easy to do. Thankfully, I haven't had any water in the unit, and I simply stop the machine and pour a little water out of the reservoir.

And I agree, beautiful kitty!

[rob47ert]

I have had this same problem, it would give the msg then shutdown.
I disconnected the blower from the water part and turned blower on and shuck it , then let it blow for 15 minutes.
After that i reassembled and had no further issues.

[CyndiLooWho]

Agree that fill line is hard to see. I marked mine with a sharpie. It's not very dark on the plastic, but it's easier to see than the original!

[chunkyfrog]

You answered a post that was FOUR YEARS OLD.
I imagine the dreamstation has dried out by now.

[hzwlzgd72]

Anyone using the new (2022) Dreamstation getting the 'low leak' error message? I have tried the steps suggested in this post with no success. I am going on the 3rd night with little to no sleep, definitely broken sleep

[Pugsy]

Anyone using the new (2022) Dreamstation getting the 'low leak' error message? I have tried the steps suggested in this post with no success. I am going on the 3rd night with little to no sleep, definitely broken sleep

I suggest you start a new topic of your own with your problem.
This is an old thread and pertains to a machine totally different from your machine.