"M" Humidifier Chamber

[JeffH]

I've never opened mine, or cleaned it, and have never had a problem.

I never did either, but my first tank still leaked. Best thing you can do is glue the lid on the tank and it won't leak. Silicone, hot glue or epoxy should work.

You are probably right, and if it ever does start leaking I will silicone it. As long as it isn't leaking I'm leaving it alone.

Ain't silicone great stuff...

[birdshell]

I have a 2006 M Series Auto and experienced several humidifier leaks in the "olden" days. In retrospect, I think the problem may have been do to the "rubber band" not being completely straight when the two humidifier pieces were put back together. I find that it often takes several attempts to get the entire rubber band lined up with the blue line. But that problem could be attributable to my manual dexterity.

ResMed has recalled 300,000 S8 flow generators due to less than two tenths of one percent (0.2%) having a short circuit in the power supply connector. This was prompted by the discovery of 7 cases worldwide of damage to the machine. While I understand the liability problem, it does seem extreme to destroy all 300,000 machines. It seems to me that they could have been inspected and refurbished, and at least a portion of them distributed to those unable to afford equipment through the AWAKE program.


Click Here for ResMed S8 Recall: Link to PDF of Global Press Release

Click Here for AWAKE in America Information

Still, ResMed is taking the extreme measure to be sure no one is harmed due to a very small number of parts supplied by a third party. Does this not beg the question: How much manual dexterity is required for a Respironics machine? Have we not already identified more than 7 cases of a defective humidifier tank just on this forum? I doubt that we have 300,000 flow generators of the M-series machines owned by Forum Folk, let alone those with defective humidifier tanks. True, the humidifier tank itself isn't an outright threat to health, but the machine that "ingests" a little bit of moisture certainly could be!

When just considering the ethical considerations, wouldn't Respironics have engendered a great deal of loyalty if the company had offered to exchange the defective humidifier tanks? ANYONE with a defective tank should be afforded this courtesy, as that individual is currently in posession of a defective part MADE and DISTRIBUTED under the Respironics name. Meanwhile, please remember that "RESPIRONICS CARES!"


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The Respironics representative on Live Chat requested that I tell EVERYONE that "RESPIRONICS CARES!" Please note that I have complied with his request.

[socknitster]

[quote="greyhound"]I have a 2006 M Series Auto and experienced several humidifier leaks in the "olden" days. In retrospect, I think the problem may have been do to the "rubber band" not being completely straight when the two humidifier pieces were put back together. I find that it often takes several attempts to get the entire rubber band lined up with the blue line. But that problem could be attributable to my manual dexterity.

[socknitster]

I've never opened mine, or cleaned it, and have never had a problem.

I never did either, but my first tank still leaked. Best thing you can do is glue the lid on the tank and it won't leak. Silicone, hot glue or epoxy should work.

Snoredog,

Being the slightly paranoid person I am, I would be afraid of breathing in any off-gassed vapors from those glues when the tank heats up. There has got to be another way!

jen

[birdshell]

<snip> I look down at the tank and for the first time (even though I had been looking at it A LOT up to that point) noticed a "jog" in the rubber band (as you so aptly put it). This means the thing has probably been leakin since the last time I washed it and air dried it which would explain why my nighstand looks absolutely HORRIBLE under my bipap. <snip> I reseated the seal and no leaks last night. I'm never taking this apart again if I can help it!

<snip>

Can you imagine being on vacation and ruining hotel furniture with this piece of crap!

Blue lights, crappy humidifier, software snafus. What is a respironics user to do? I'm so freaking sick of their crap!

jen

I snipped out bits for the sake of brevity.

Dear Jen,

I believe the part to which you and greyhound referred is an O-ring--shades of the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster! However, I don't know why I would think that, since I have never even SEEN a Respironics M-Series humidifier tank in person. I am sorry if I am wrong in naming the rubber band.

Sorry to say, I just had to comment on your (commendable) concern over the hotel furniture. Most motels and hotels where I have stayed over the last few years have been in a moderate price range and ALL have had laminate tops on the nightstands, dressers, desks, tables and any other furniture. Of course, this may not have been true of the top of the armoire...I've not checked that spot.

So, Jen, either you are staying in some VERY high class places or some very LOW class places if there is wood on the surface...although many night tables do not have the lower shelf protected by laminate....

Further, I almost ALWAYS put my flow generator/humidifier on the floor. This helps to avoid rainout. I have acquired a plastic bin with a handle and turn it upside down. I then have a handy spot for the machine without having to set it directly on the floor, and put all inside (hose and mask headgear included) to protect it from the maids. They probably wouldn't hurt it, but I just feel better knowing it is protected. If traveling I like to be at my best and would certainly be up a creek without my nightly therapy. I usually do not have the spare time to hunt down a DME provider.

(BTW, I do the same at home to protect it from the cats.)

OH, and one last thing: RESPIRONICS CARES!

Sincerely, for the most part,

Karen

[ozij]

Blue lights, crappy humidifier, software snafus. What is a respironics user to do? I'm so freaking sick of their crap!

Uh, become Puritan Bennett person? OK, OK, I'm joking - their BiPap data is not worth it, but I couldn't resist....

O.

[6PtStar]

If PB could come up with some sort of exhalation releif I would change too. Without C-Flex or EPR I fight it to much even if my pressure is not that high. There has got to be some way to make it work without infringeing on the patents.

[socknitster]

Sorry to say, I just had to comment on your (commendable) concern over the hotel furniture. Most motels and hotels where I have stayed over the last few years have been in a moderate price range and ALL have had laminate tops on the nightstands, dressers, desks, tables and any other furniture. Of course, this may not have been true of the top of the armoire...I've not checked that spot.

So, Jen, either you are staying in some VERY high class places or some very LOW class places if there is wood on the surface...although many night tables do not have the lower shelf protected by laminate....

Hmmm. I'm not sure about this. I don't do much vacationing anymore since Harry was born, but I do tend to stay in out of the way inns, cottages, bed and breakfasts or cabins. Usually midrange price, but more homelike atomosphere. I've never been a fan of the sterile hotel environment. Guess I was using "hotel" as a generic term meaning vacation room.

I guess I never pay that close of attention to what things are made of, unless they are antique, then my accident prone ass steers clear! If the nightstands were faux wood laminate, I probably wouldn't notice. But cheap laminate will bubble up when wet.

My nightstand top is ruined. I doubt even refinishing will make it look better unless I paint. It is part of a set that I got at an estate sale. Imposing large chest of drawers and a dressing table that I dissasembled into two nightstands. Cherry. Craftsman era. Big black metal drawer pulls. It is sad to see it ruined. I should have known better than not to put something between it and the machine.

I'll keep my eye out for what you suggest. We are going on a Disney vacation soon and I am leary of the maids too. I tend to hide things in my suitcase under the clothes, but a little bin with a handle would be perfect.

Jen

[birdshell]

Jen,

I am sorry about your night stand. My dressers and nightstand are made of the same wood. I would truly hate to lose the finish, although if they are not a veneer I'm quite certain that something could be done by an experienced woodworker/refinisher.

I found my plastic bin at a so-called dollar store for less than $5.00. I use added velcro bands around it to be sure it stays sealed while carrying. Of course, I have a different size and shape of machine and humidifier.

Best wishes with your night stand. I hope that you will be able to find someone with the skills to repair and refinish it, and that the price is affordable. It might be worth an appraisal/estimate.

Karen

[MickeyBaby]

During the orientation where the nurse was explaining my M model machine to me, she told me that should the humidifier tank begin to leak that I should remove the o-ring and soak it in warm water for a period. She said that would re-enable the pliability of the o-ring. The nurse said the o-rings become hard over time.

Not certain if this is true or not, or whether or not the "fix" works as I have not had the machine long enough to have it leak. Just thought I would throw in my $0.02 worth.

Good luck! Now if only we could get Encore Pro 1.8i...

[birdshell]

Good tip. RN's seem to know a lot of them! One recommended smearing milk of magnesia on the skin to prevent irritation from tape residue. It works quite well.

This tip reminded me that I recently purchased a new bathroom showerhead hanger. It came with a clear suction cup that has a groove in it. When stuck to the side of the shower and with the coated wire inserted into the groove, the shelves are stabilized.

On the cardboard over-sleeve, there was a suggestion to dip the suction cup into hot water to revive its flexibility and ability to maintain suction. I'd never heard of this before, and have thrown away a number of those suction cups when they failed to maintain suction.

I wonder if this works only on certain plastics/silicones/polymers? It might be worth a try on some of the mask parts, etc. as well as the O-ring.

Best wishes, and let us know if this works for you!!! Thanks.

Karen

[socknitster]

Hey, I tried the Milk of Magnesia thing and it didn't work for me, shoot! The tape didn't stick as well. Of course the tape I use (which I got after a surgery and may never find again) isn't terribly sticky. Might be great for the paper tape everyone is using.

The reason the heat works to make plastics plyable is that plastics are made of oils (esters--think poly-ester) and just like all other fats get softer with heat (butter, crisco etc.) so will plastic. Also why they get more brittle with cold and don't hold up well to repeat heat and cold. Just breaks them down.

jen

[birdshell]

Thanks, Jen.

You are the first of whom I've heard to have no success with the milk of magnesia. Apparently skim milk will do the trick, too. Of course, one has to allow either to dry before applying the tape! I am sorry that it didn't work for you, but if the tape isn't TOO sticky, maybe this isn't a problem for you.

Karen