"Percolating" CPAP?

[Jeanie821]

I have a Respironics M Series CPAP with a humidifier, and an Adam Circuit nasal pillow mask. A couple of nights ago, and twice last night, I woke to hear a "percolating" sound - kind of like my late stepfather's plug in coffee pot. (The coffee pot was old, but then again, so was he. ) I unplugged the hose and shook it out, flicking out some water, each time it happened. Why is this happening, and what can I do about it?

[Snoredog]

that is called "Rain-Out", it means you have your humidifier up too high and it puts so much moisture in the airflow it forms water droplets in the hose.

It can also progress to the point where the water droplets make it to the mask and having that hit you in the face will wake you up.

Weather or not yours does this all depends on the temperature of the room and relative humidity currently in your area.

Turn your humidifier down or off. If it still happens with it off, try it off and without any water in the tank or connect directly to the machine.

[Slinky]

We call that "rain out". Its just condensation from excessive humidity collecting along the hose length.

You might have your humidifier set higher than you need it in this weather. It always helps and never hurts to have your xPAP and humidifier setting lower than the top of your mattress. You can try making or buying a hose cover. (Yeah! Jammies for your CPAP hose!). You can try "hanging" your hose above your head. As a port of last resort you can buy an "Aussie Heated Hose" (expensive).

[TerryB]

You may also be able to keep the hose warmer by insulating it or heating it. There are some who have wrapped socks around the hose to keep it warmer and there are commercial goods available. It is also possible to buy a hose which is heated electrically to keep the humidity from condensing out into "rain out".

Heated hose and rainout searches will provide enough reading to amuse you for many hours.

TerryB