humidifier confusion -- redux

[Doubtful Tom]

Despite the best intentions of some patient members and previous threads, loose and woven, I remain in a state of befuddlement regarding some fundamental matters of humidifiers (blame it on a congenital inability to process tech infomation). Please indulge me the following questions:

* What is the relationship among auto Climate setting and numbered humdifier level 0-6 and humidifier heating plate? How do these 3 things interact, if at all?

* If autoclimate is set, does one still select a humidifier level, or does the fahrenheit temp override or negate need for setting humidifier level?

* Some threads mention setting a fahrenheit temp with autoclimate; is that required? It appears auto is set on my menu, but I don't see any place to set a temp. The ResMed Welcome Guide shows an icon for Climate Control, but I have not found this icon in menu, just a written listing of "Climate" with an apparent setting of "Auto." And I can't access any other level of settings. Does this in fact mean its already set to Auto?

* does the auto setting with fahrenheit temp override need for turning on the humidifier heating element?

* do folks typically run the heating element all night? the one time I ran it all night, two days ago, I woke up with significant sinus drainage, and I've had congestion since and felt like I was coming down with a cold. If I don't run it, I wake up with pretty dry nose, mouth and throat.

* Does the humidifier even deliever moisture without some form of heating, either via auto climate or heating plate? (most mornings I wake up with same level of water I started with).

Sorry for the barrage of questions, but I'm trying to sort out which of these modes helps, hurts or does little or nothing.

[Blrfl]

* What is the relationship among auto Climate setting and numbered humdifier level 0-6 and humidifier heating plate? How do these 3 things interact, if at all?

Auto and the numbered humidity settings are mutually-exclusive. The heater in the humidifier is automatically controlled by the S9 and is not anything you have to worry about.

* If autoclimate is set, does one still select a humidifier level, or does the fahrenheit temp override or negate need for setting humidifier level?

In auto, you don't get the option to set a humidifier level. You select the temperature and the S9 and H5i will maintain that temperature and a relative humidity of 80% at the mask.

* Some threads mention setting a fahrenheit temp with autoclimate; is that required? It appears auto is set on my menu, but I don't see any place to set a temp.

In auto, you should have an icon on the home screen with a heated tubing symbol and a water drop in the same square. Set a temperature by selecting that icon and pushing the knob, at which point the display should turn orange. Then you select a temperature with the knob and push again to set it, then the display turns blue again. That will be the air temperature maintained during therapy.

The ResMed Welcome Guide shows an icon for Climate Control, but I have not found this icon in menu, just a written listing of "Climate" with an apparent setting of "Auto." And I can't access any other level of settings. Does this in fact mean its already set to Auto?

Sounds like it. If you're in the setup menu when you see that, you can push the knob and switch it to "Off" if you want. Then your home menu will have two separate menu items, one with a heated tubing symbol and one with a water drop, which will allow you to set the temperature and humidity independently. I don't see a reason to do that unless you want less humidity; the auto setting works pretty well for me.

* does the auto setting with fahrenheit temp override need for turning on the humidifier heating element?

Yes, it does. Again, you have no control over the humidifier in auto mode. It will add moisture as needed.

* do folks typically run the heating element all night? the one time I ran it all night, two days ago, I woke up with significant sinus drainage, and I've had congestion since and felt like I was coming down with a cold. If I don't run it, I wake up with pretty dry nose, mouth and throat.

If you're just getting started, you may find that the additional humidity loosens up whatever crud you've got accumulated in your snoot and causes it to run out. Give it some time.

* Does the humidifier even deliever moisture without some form of heating, either via auto climate or heating plate? (most mornings I wake up with same level of water I started with).

If turned off (in manual mode), the humidifier should add almost no moisture to the air because of the way the tank is designed. The tubing and mask are actually a relatively small volume, and it doesn't take much water to keep it humid overnight, especially if your room air already has a decent amount of moisture in it.

--Mark

[jnk]

"The recommended (default) setting for Climate Control is Auto mode. In Auto mode, you have the ability to adjust air temperature (61-86°F/16-30°C) depending on preference. Based on your selected air temperature, Climate Control automatically adjusts the humidifier output to maintain a constant, comfortable humidity level of 80% relative humidity while protecting against rainout. In Auto mode the default air temperature is set to 80°F (27°C).

"If enabled by the clinician, Climate Control can also be set to Manual. In this mode, air temperature and humidity can be
set independently, providing you greater flexibility but without the rainout protection guaranteed in Auto mode. In this mode,
air temperature (61-86°F/16-30°C) and humidity (0-6) can be set independently. If rainout occurs, either increase air temperature or decrease the humidity setting."

Bold attribute is mine.

http://www.resmed.com/au/assets/documen ... lo_eng.pdf

[Doubtful Tom]

Thank you for these detailed and prompt responses. Most helpful.

I suspect now that Climate Control has not been activated, as no icon appears in Menu Setup, and the written listing I mentioned was buried 2-3 levels beneath Menu, but dead-ended there, with no visible option for making changes.

Does it have to be activated by DME. I suspect he doesn't know about it himself, as he made no mention of it when setting up machine. Or is this something they prefer one not use? Can't imagine why? My DME seems like very nice, conscientious guy, answers my calls quickly, but I'm getting impression he knows only basics of machine. Only icons I have on Menu are Home, Humidity Level, and Ramp.

Is a Climate Line tube required for Climate Control use, or just recommended?

[billbolton]

Is a Climate Line tube required for Climate Control use, or just recommended?

Basically, climate control uses the heated tubing that is part of the Climateline hose, so yes, it is required!

Cheers,

Bill

[KatieW]

With the S9, you have the option of 3 different hoses: Regular, Slimline (like a regular hose, but slimmer), or Climate Line (with temperature/humidity sensors). Be sure you have the hose option set correctly in the Clinical Menu.

If you are using the Regular or Slimline, then your humidity control options range from 0 (off) to 6. This controls the heating plate in your humidifier, and thus changes the humidity level.

With the Climate Line, which I highly recommend, there are more options:

1. Auto Mode--the humidity is maintained at 80%, however you can adjust the air temperature from 61 to 86 degrees F (16-30 C).

2. Manual Mode--the humidity is adjustable from 0-6, and the temperature from 61-86 F.

In AZ, where the humidity is 20% or less, then Auto Mode works best. I like the temperature at 75 but that's a personal preference.

When I'm in WA state, I found that I didn't get enough humidity in Auto, so use Manual at a setting of 4 if the humidity is 40% or higher, and lower it as temperature/humidity changes.

FYI, there have been complaints about the S9 hoses breaking at the rubber connector, so I have reinforced mine with F 4 Silicone tape. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001HE ... ss_product

[chunkyfrog]

Yes! you need the climateline tubing; and I believe there is a way to change the units to Celsius if you prefer.

[rested gal]

Makes me happier and happier that long ago I bought a Fisher & Paykel HC 150 heated humidifier, and the Sleepzone heated hose. Those two separate items can be used with any brand of cpap/autopap/bilevel machine.

With a simple little knob, the F&P humidifier gives me complete control of the amount of humidification I want. No menu hoops to jump through.

The heated hose keeps it from becoming "rainout."

If I switch to a different brand of machine, those two items go right along.

No proprietary "integrated humidifier" or "climateline hose" for me!

[Hose_Head]

Makes me happier and happier that long ago I bought a Fisher & Paykel HC 150 heated humidifier, and the Sleepzone heated hose. Those two separate items can be used with any brand of cpap/autopap/bilevel machine.

With a simple little knob, the F&P humidifier gives me complete control of the amount of humidification I want. No menu hoops to jump through.

The heated hose keeps it from becoming "rainout."

If I switch to a different brand of machine, those two items go right along.

No proprietary "integrated humidifier" or "climateline hose" for me!

...........However, this set up is not so good if you travel with your cpap.