M-series humidifier stops working

mwmcpap · Post by **mwmcpap** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 8:51 am

I have a Respironics Remstar M-Series Plus. Have been using it since October 2006. Went through the leaky water tank problem (resolved) and now have another one I'm hoping you can help with.

About every 4-5 weeks, my humidifier stops working. When I turn on the machine at night, everything appears fine for about a minute, then the blue light on the humidifier starts blinking indicating that the humidifier isn't working. My equipment provider has traded out the humidifier once, the whole machine once, and now I'm waiting to hear what they will do this time. They don't seem to have a clue what the problem is.

Can I get any help here? By the way, I don't think it is water temp - the water is at room temp and I even tried warming the tank slightly a couple nights ago.

RestlessRoper · Post by **RestlessRoper** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:53 am

I don't usually post on these forums because of the lack of response unless you are one of the "gang".

I can't be of much help but I can tell you I have the same cpap and humidifier as you. I have had no trouble since the first of Dec. when I started. The temp and humidity has been changing here quite a bit and that seems to effect the use some.

I live way out in the country and we have a lot of short term outages. I have no way of testing and often wonder about the high and low ranges of power we do get.

One other thought, is your DME giving you new equipment?

Best of luck,
Ted in Texas

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:08 pm

RestlessRoper wrote:I don't usually post on these forums because of the lack of response unless you are one of the "gang".

RR, your comment really surprised me because I've never seen a "gang" here that shuns new members.

My immediate thought was that we missed one of your questions - occasionally that happens if the forum is busy at other topics. So, I looked back through your posts and found three threads in which you asked questions and they were all responded to.

I feel badly that you feel that you have been slighted, and I'm sorry that this forum gave you that impression.

Please ask another question so we can redeem ourselves. ........

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:14 pm

mwmcpap, sorry you are having problems and probably can't help you. The only thing I can think of is: Are you using distilled water? If you are using tap water (like well water), perhaps the water is loaded with minerals and is clogging the humidifier.

SelfSeeker · Post by **SelfSeeker** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:55 pm

mwmcpap,

I got my Remstar M in Oct.

I got the same thing happening a couple of times. The first time, I saw it was in the morning. The humidifier had not worked all night.

I am not sure what it is the problem. Since then I removed and replaced the dresevoir the other times, and it has helped. I am not sure if that was the problem, since the resevoir seemed to be in place.

mwmcpap wrote:I have a Respironics Remstar M-Series Plus. Have been using it since October 2006. Went through the leaky water tank problem (resolved) and now have another one I'm hoping you can help with.

About every 4-5 weeks, my humidifier stops working. When I turn on the machine at night, everything appears fine for about a minute, then the blue light on the humidifier starts blinking indicating that the humidifier isn't working. My equipment provider has traded out the humidifier once, the whole machine once, and now I'm waiting to hear what they will do this time. They don't seem to have a clue what the problem is.

Can I get any help here? By the way, I don't think it is water temp - the water is at room temp and I even tried warming the tank slightly a couple nights ago.

WifeIsHappyNow · Post by **WifeIsHappyNow** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:14 pm

mwmcpap,

I have the same humidifier and CPAP and have also experienced the blinking blue light. I never figured it out for sure, but I believe that it has occurred when the water tank was not pushed in firmly.

I never did any tests to see if that is the case, but I could try to reproduce it that way and see what happens...if somebody else doesn't beat me to it...

Mike

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:32 pm

Whatever the problem is under warrenty for two years, maybe the HH didn't like the nightly bath it was getting, it seems to me that it wouldn't be good for it. Jim

But I'm not sure how it hooks up, I have "Tanks".

WifeIsHappyNow · Post by **WifeIsHappyNow** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:46 pm

WifeIsHappyNow wrote: I never figured it out for sure, but I believe that it has occurred when the water tank was not pushed in firmly.

Okay, so I just did a test and apparently that's not it. I don't think the machine even knows if the tank is in there at all!

I tried doing some other things to get the blinking light(without breaking my machine), but could not get it to happen.

I did pull out my manual, and it says that the light will blink for the following: 1)No communication between the xPAP and the humidifier, 2)the xPAP is not seated properly on the humidifier platform, or 3)the heater plate is not heating. Maybe you already looked this up too.

Basically it says to check the cords to be sure they are secure and remove the xPAP from the humidifier and reconnect it. If you want to know more about what it says, PM me and I can give you more info.

Seems that several of us have had intermittent problems and a little jiggling of the machine clears it up.

Perhaps the issue could be related to the power supply?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 9:19 pm

I would take it back to DME and make them replace it with a new one. It is warranted for 2yrs from delivery to dealer/DME.

Be careful with accepting just any tank, if your tank hasn't leaked then keep that tank when they replace the humidifier so you don't get another bad tank with the replacement.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:52 pm

I don't have the humidifier, but given the 3 reasons for the occurance, I would think #2 is the most likely. If you move the machine or humidifier to fill or rinse the unit, then it's probably that the machine doesn't get re-seated correctly.

But then why does the light blink in the middle of the night? (arguing with myself here). Does the light blink if it gets low on water?

Take it back and get the Tank. ..........

mwmcpap · Post by **mwmcpap** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:29 pm

Let's see if I can catch up with the questions.

RestlessRoper, As far as I know, the replacements have all been new. They've been wrapped and sealed, but I suppose they could always reseal used/reconditioned equipment and I wouldn't be able to tell.

Linda3032, Yes, I'm using distilled water (always).

SelfSeeker and Wifeishappynow, I've tried reseating the reservoir, and the xpap unit onto the humidifier. Didn't help.

Wifeishappynow, Oh yeah, I pulled out the manual. Tried all that you've suggested. No luck so far. But I'll try again tonight. Of course, the manual telling me that the heater plate isn't heating doesn't help a bit - I already know that, I need to know why. Ever wonder who they get to write these manuals?

Guest, yep, I'm taking the unit back tomorrow. And I won't let them near my reservoir now that I've got one that doesn't leak. It stays home while I take the rest of the unit in.

Thank you all for your replies. It is good to know that I'm not the only one. Now if Respironics can just figure out what's going on and correct it like they did with the leaking reservoirs. Unfortunately, this problem doesn't seem to be quite so prevalent.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:42 pm

mwmcpap. Sorry we couldn't help, but please keep us informed on what you find out. This is a new one for us.

RestlessRoper · Post by **RestlessRoper** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 6:26 am

I worked over 30 years in the telephone business. I constantly found phones and other electronic equipment that did not function properly. Some units were new right out of the box and some had functioned for different amounts of time from days to years.

We have all experienced this with household appliances and autos. Anything man made can and will fail in time. Just because it is new and right out of the box, does not mean it is perfect.

Anyway my point, maybe your unit and other units that do not work properly just need to be replaced. And you may need to get new replacements until a good working unit is received.

Only my thoughts.

Best of luck to you,
Ted in Texas

jskinner · Post by **jskinner** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:45 am

RestlessRoper wrote:I don't usually post on these forums because of the lack of response unless you are one of the "gang".

I hope we can help you this time.

A gang eh, wow I've never been part of a gang before. Unless being a geek counts. I guess wearing all this crazy gear at night is part of the hazing ritual eh?

WifeIsHappyNow · Post by **WifeIsHappyNow** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 8:40 am

mwmcpap wrote:Of course, the manual telling me that the heater plate isn't heating doesn't help a bit - I already know that, I need to know why. Ever wonder who they get to write these manuals?

Yeah...ya gotta love that one...

Did you get a new unit? Did the replace the power supply as well?
Good luck!
Mike

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