Sunset filters for Airsense 11

[coolbranch]

The Sunset filters I have been receiving from my DME are leaving fibers floating in my humidifier chamber water right out of the package. I thump with finger a couple of times before I install a new filter. Still the filter is releasing fibers. I am not using heated hose just the standard thin tube. Am I breathing in these fibers? I kind of doubt the water is catching them all.

[Grumpy48]

My DME is supplying Sunset filters for my AS10. I'm guessing the AS11 Sunset filters are similar. They have a shiny smooth side and a side which the fibers are exposed. When I place the filter into the AS10 I place it with the shiny smooth side towards the machine. The fiber side is facing out. I've never had fibers in the water tank.

[coolbranch]

That is the way I install mine. What name brand filter are you using please.

[Grumpy48]

Sunset brand as I noted in my post. By any chance are you rinsing out the water tank and drying it with a paper towel or a cloth, either of which might leave something that appears fibrous?

[coolbranch]

No. I air dry then rinse with distilled water before filling.

[coolbranch]

I am now certain that I owe Sunset Healthcare cpap filter company an apology for my miss diagnosis for the fibers floating in my water chamber. After much research, I discovered the problem that could be more concerning, so I will just throw it out there for all to see. The past couple of gallons of distilled water I picked up in the infant section of the store. Distilled water for infant use sometimes has additives and is NOT intended to be used in a cpap machine. Please read the following and you will see that what I was seeing in my water chamber was crystallization of the additives. Looks like fibers but not fibers. I have my heat setting on 1. When heated, some infant distilled water, with additives will result in the following.

Parents Choice distilled water has these 3 additives. Other brands for infants may have similar.
Magnesium sulfate in water when heated in cpap water chamber
Heating a Magnesium Sulfate Solution (Boiling/Evaporating)

Adding magnesium sulfate to your CPAP water chamber is dangerous and should be avoided. Heating this compound produces airborne mineral residue that can damage the device's heating plate, corrode the chamber, and risk being inhaled into your lungs. CPAP manufacturers strictly recommend using only pure distilled water.

• Increased Solubility: Heat increases the solubility of magnesium sulfate in water. You can dissolve much more of the salt into hot water than into cold water.
• Evaporation: As you continue to apply heat and boil the water, the water molecules evaporate.
• Crystallization: As the water is driven off, the concentration of the salt increases. Once the water completely evaporates, it leaves behind dry magnesium sulfate crystals.

Potassium bicarbonate in water when heated in cpap water chamber
Heating potassium bicarbonate in your CPAP water chamber causes it to decompose into potassium carbonate, carbon dioxide gas NOT GOOD, and water. This chemical reaction leaves behind a hard, crusty mineral residue on your heating plate, damages chamber plastics, and can cause the machine to malfunction or produce an unpleasant odor.


Potassium chloride in water when heated in cpap water chamber

Adding potassium chloride to water used in a CPAP chamber is strongly discouraged. When heated, the potassium chloride does not evaporate. It will form a crystalline residue, corrode the heating plate, degrade the plastic water chamber, and potentially cause you to inhale airborne mineral particles.