Yet another humidity/condensation question

[RoboLobo]

While posting my own thread the other day I noticed another one talking about humidifier settings, condensation, etc., but now I can't find it so here is a new thread.

I think it was Pugsy (not sure) who talked about condensation and having his/her humidifier setting up about 6 (?) and the tube temp setting also high (76? 78?) to avoid condensation issues. But here is my issue: many times, especially with my humidifier setting above 3 or 4, I get so much water vapor in my mask that it starts clogging the air diffuser holes in my Simplus mask and that clogging leads to some really annoying squealing sounds that wake me up, wake my spouse up, probably would wake the dead up.

So here's what I can't get my head to understand: isn't the wet humidified air just pretty much the equivalent of the condensation that can be generated in the hose due to temperature variance? I just am not understanding how anyone could have their humidifier setting high enough that it doesn't generate the same amount of water in the hose and mask that condensation can. Is there something about the humidified air being more vaporized that it won't clog the mask holes? Or perhaps is my mask (the Simplus) itself an issue? I have gone through many FFMs over the years before settling on the Simplus and I just can't remember if this was an issue with other masks. I like to think F&P knew what they were doing before designing the Simplus, but maybe I'm wrong?

So I am missing something even though I have used CPAP for eight years now? Thanks!

[LSAT]

Been using the Simplus for about 18 months and I leave the humidifier setting on 4 (Resmed) all year round without problems. Rarely clean the mask but no problems wit vent clogs. The Simplus actually has more holes and larger holes than other masks I have used.

[Pugsy]

Hose air temp only affects how much moisture or humidity the air can hold onto before releasing it as condensation. It's physics in action...warmer air can hold on to more moisture than cooler air can.
It doesn't change the amount of moisture the machine is cranking out...that is the function of the humidifier setting.

If you are clogging up the vent holes with moisture...it could be related to the humidifier setting but it also could simply be the moisture in your own exhaled breath added to the incoming moisture laden air that ends up condensing in the vent holes. People don't realize that every breath they exhale contains moisture.

The fix is...more heated hose temperature or increase your ambient bedroom temperature or a reduction in the humidifier setting (which doesn't always work if the moisture in the mask is mainly from exhaled breaths).

[RoboLobo]

Thanks for all the good advice as usual! I will play around with the hose temp (maybe too low) and keep the humidifier setting at 4 for now, we'll see what happens. Can't do much about the room temp, it gets down to about a brutal 40 degrees here at night in Santa Barbara and wifey likes a cool room. I do have a hose cover though and can try to tuck it into the covers better.

[LSAT]

Thanks for all the good advice as usual! I will play around with the hose temp (maybe too low) and keep the humidifier setting at 4 for now, we'll see what happens. Can't do much about the room temp, it gets down to about a brutal 40 degrees here at night in Santa Barbara and wifey likes a cool room. I do have a hose cover though and can try to tuck it into the covers better.

In Wisconsin, we consider 40 degrees at night very comfortable this time of year...average is <30.