M Series Heated Humidifier runs dry during night

brians2000 · Post by **brians2000** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:16 am

I have had my CPAP machine about two weeks. I noticed my M Series Heated Humidifier runs dry so I took it back and got another one of the same kind. The lady at the sleep clinic didnt think it should run dry so she gave me another humidifier. The new one runs dry after about six to eight hours also. She said not to allow it to run dry but if it does in the middle of the night there is nothing I can do about it. I hope it wont damage my cpap machine. What is everyones thoughts.

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:29 am

Those humidifiers are small. I don't know what yours is set on, but I have to keep mine around 2 to not run out overnight. If you need more humidification, some on here have discussed before about adding a different humidifier. They'll probably chime in with options if that's what you need.

Kathy

dllfo · Post by **dllfo** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:52 am

If your unit is like my Respironics, press down on the Heat key, holding it until the LCD display changes to a number. IF this number is a 3 or higher, that is part of why you are running out of water. I think I press the key below the heat key to reduce the numbers, then to increase you push the heat button down? Sorry, I haven't done this in a long time. I set mine on 1 most of the time.

Good luck with it...

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Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:18 am

The M series only holds about 11-12 oz. of water (about the same as the classic if you compare).

High use of water: Mouth breathing, mask leak, high pressure, turning humidifier up to high can cause high consumption.

If you are getting vapor droplets forming in the hose/mask you have it up too high, having it up too high uses more water but they are really not designed to heat the incoming air.

You may need to go to a passover humidifier with larger capacity as opposed to existing integrated.

I would check and eliminate leaks first.

blarg · Post by **blarg** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:29 am

I had the same problem with the M series. The classic tank humidifier doesn't even come close to running dry.

You might consider getting a Fisher and Paykel HC150.

MartiniLover · Post by **MartiniLover** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 6:45 am

I turned the heat off, and hooked up a passover humidifier in line. Works great. I am lucky enough to be able to stand not having the heat on, and not drying up. With both containers filled half full to start, it lasts about a week.

Works for me

mikester · Post by **mikester** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:20 am

Weird - I have an M series and run the humidifier on '2' and I usually only have to fill it up every other night.

I bet it has something to do with the relative humidity of the air in the room. Our fancy shmancy thermostat says our indoor humidity is usually around 55%. I can see how in drier areas you would use more water.

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:44 am

I had trouble with mine and wrote Respronics about it. Below is the note I got back from them. I was concerned about damage to the unit if it ran dry.

"Dear patient,

The CPAPS were tested at a setting of 5(the highest) and a pressure of 20cm. They lasted 7 to 8 hours. There are some things which will affect that time. The first thing is a large mask leak will cause faster air flow which uses the water faster. The second is the temperature of the room (cool to cold),and the third is the humidity ( dry) in the room. These all will shorten the time which the water will last. If the water runs out before you wake, the heater will not burn up. It does not go above 145 degrees on the heating plate. That is not high enough to do any damage. If you should wake at some time, it is quite alright to add water if you wish.

Product support"

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 10:07 am

My M-series is set on MAX (5) and I fill it up every night and it only comes close to running out if I sleep 10+ hours.

I would look at mouth leaks if you do nasal-only. When you leak from your mouth, machine uses more pressure and more water, I guess, not sure, but I know there is a correlation between mouth leaks or leaks in general and water loss from humidifier.

I tape my mouth, so rarely leak, unless tape is loose or something.

That would be where I would look first. I think if two machines did the same thing, it is not likely the machine.

Jen

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 12:38 pm

If the water runs out before you wake, the heater will not burn up. It does not go above 145 degrees on the heating plate. That is not high enough to do any damage. If you should wake at some time, it is quite alright to add water if you wish.

Ha! Yeah right. My M-Series Pro, humidifier set on 3, ran out of water exactly once (when I forgot to top it off before going to sleep that night). I awoke to a horrible, choke-inducing aroma and ripped off the mask.

Added water to tank. Still horrible smell. Cleaned tank with soap/water and refilled. Still there. Cleaned hose. Still there. Only when I thoroughly cleaned my mask too, was I able to go back to sleep without that horrible, intolerable odor.

Beware, M-series owners. Don't ever forget to fill or top off your humidifier if it needs it.

brians2000 · Post by **brians2000** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:45 pm

The technician at the sleep center told me the CPAP would break if the water ran out in as little as two hours. I was told I would smell it burning and what you said makes perfect sense. I didn't smell anything last night but I will make sure it is always filled and if I wake up in the middle of the night I refill it. I hate that the tank is not bigger. Does anyone know what would happen to the humidifier if I filled it above the fill mark. thanks, Brian

Daddysaur · Post by **Daddysaur** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:55 pm

The humidifier business is a mystery to me. You, before CPAP, and the hoseless aliens around us are fine without them. And in theory you are breathing the same amount of air with the same relative humidity as the hoseless unless you have leaks/mouth open issues. So why is the humidifier a critical part of the CPAP system? What types of issues should I watch out for without the humidifier?

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 9:22 pm

[quote="brians2000"]The technician at the sleep center told me the CPAP would break if the water ran out in as little as two hours. I was told I would smell it burning and what you said makes perfect sense. I didn't smell anything last night but I will make sure it is always filled and if I wake up in the middle of the night I refill it. I hate that the tank is not bigger. Does anyone know what would happen to the humidifier if I filled it above the fill mark. thanks, Brian

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 9:27 pm

[quote="Daddysaur"]The humidifier business is a mystery to me. You, before CPAP, and the hoseless aliens around us are fine without them. And in theory you are breathing the same amount of air with the same relative humidity as the hoseless unless you have leaks/mouth open issues. So why is the humidifier a critical part of the CPAP system? What types of issues should I watch out for without the humidifier?

goose · Post by **goose** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 9:41 pm

I run my humidifier at 1 and fill it every other night.
I live in a dry climate (for the most part -- it's humid tonight), so it's nice to have a little moisture.....

cheers
goose

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