Resperonics M Series Humidifier Trouble

beachgurl_1988 · Post by **beachgurl_1988** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 6:19 am

I have been using CPAP for a little over a year, and I am doing wonderful, and love everything about my machine except:

I have a Resperonics M Series CPAP with a Heated Humidifier. I got the machine in about May 2007. The model # is 1022334.

My problem is: When at night, I fill up the humidifier, it leaks during the night. The first time it did it, I thought, okay, I did something wrong, but it has done it all over and over. It has ended up ruining my nightstand.

Did anyone else have this problem? My mom has the same machine as I do, and hers has leaked once, but I dried it, and dried the silicone seal and it has been fine. If I do that to mine, it still leaks. My father actually has the same machine too, and he says that his humidifier is different. I will have to go over and look at it.

So, with this problem, if obviously Resperonics got complaints about it, and they must have redisigned the machine right? If I were to contact Resperonics, shouldn't they be able to send me a new machine? Or would I contact my HHP, Apria Healthcare?

ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED!

oh, my machine is the same if you click on the stuff below, except mine has no smart card and does not have a flex.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, CPAP, seal

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 6:55 am

Respironics doesn't accept calls directly from patients for ANY reason. Yea go figure - you have to go thru your DME or place where you bought it.

I am wondering if your problem isn't just a seal out of place when you re-assembled it? So when it's pressurized - it leaks. That seal can be tricky & most do NOT disassemble the chamber for that reason.

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 9:33 am

I have the M series A/Flex and it has the older style water chamber. Side by side tubes. I did take it apart a few times in the beginning, but after reading on this site about how it can leak after awhile, I quit doing that altogether. I let it air dry every couple of days and now and again do a vinegar rinse all without taking the thing apart.

It is probably the seals!!!! That is what causes the problems. Don't take them apart, EVER!

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 9:44 am

You can just empty the water out and if you want to dry the chamber turn the blower on to air dry it. How convenient.
HTH

RachelM · Post by **RachelM** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 6:03 pm

I have had a M Series Respironics apap for over a year. I have had occasional humidifier leaks, usually right after cleaning. Someone suggested that I wet the seal with a wet finger before reclosing. Maybe something about the slightly damp gasket creates a better seal?

xyz · Post by **xyz** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 6:18 pm

> When at night, I fill up the humidifier, it leaks during the night.

Here are some things to check.

1. There is a clear silicone seal on the two side-by-side holes. If you have taken that seal off (e.g., for cleaning) and put it back on wrong, that can be a (common) problem. When put on correctly, the _front_ face of the seal is _perfectly vertical_. When put on wrong (and it's a damn shame that Respironics designed it so that it can be put on wrong) the _front_ face of that seal is _not_ perfectly vertical. It's at an angle to the holes.

2. You must be careful when you put the two (top and bottom) halves together to get the back end fitted correctly. There are two square "holes" on the back of the top piece that must fit perfectly over the two "fingers" on the back of the bottom piece. Watch them carefully when you put the two pieces together.

3. The latch on the front of the HH isn't the most solid latch I've ever seen. Be certain that it is actually snugged down tight when you assemble the two pieces together, and not loose.

4. It's really important that when you insert the HH chamber into its outer/exterior shell that you insert it firmly and _all the way in_. If you don't put it all the way in it's guaranteed to leak.

5. Check for leaks in the shell of the HH chamber. Fill it with a little water. Now, slowly one at a time, put it on one of its sides to see if it leaks. Then the other side. Then on its back end (vertical). Finally on its nose. The amount of water has to be just the right amount to do this and you have to turn it carefully, but it's doable. And check the narrow, black rubber grommet/seal that's goes around the bottom piece to see that it's in good shape.

Needsdecaf · Post by **Needsdecaf** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 6:34 pm

Don't I recall a recall for this? Pun intended.

I'm not an old hat enough to remember, but isn't there a newer design for the humidifier tank?

Pineapple · Post by **Pineapple** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:42 am

There wasn't a recall, whose of us who complained to our good DME's gat the redesigned (flap style) one to replace the old (bleu o-ring style) one.

Needsdecaf · Post by **Needsdecaf** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:45 am

[quote="Pineapple"]There wasn't a recall, whose of us who complained to our good DME's gat the redesigned (flap style) one to replace the old (bleu o-ring style) one.

CamiTampa · Post by **CamiTampa** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:28 pm

My dme replaced my tank with the new style and it hasn't leaked since. Just the mention of having to replace the brand new bedside endtable and the tech ran out to his truck to get a new tank.
Cami

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:35 pm

Needsdecaf wrote:i could have sworn seeing a different design where it plugged into the air lines.

Guess I'm working too hard.

You weren't imagining it, Needsdecaf. There wasn't a recall of the M humidifiers, but... the water chamber has gone through several changes (and may be going through more, who knows?!!) LOL!!

The most recent change out there has staggered ports, as shown on the bottom right side of the pictures on this page:

http://sleepapnea.respironics.com/PDF/m ... lookup.pdf

The entire humidifier would have to be replaced in order to use the water chamber with the staggered ports...can't use that newest version of the water chamber with the original M humidifier platform.

I sure do like NOT using an M humidifier. The Fisher & Paykel HC 150 separate heated humidifier I've used for years works fine with the M machines. With any machines, for that matter.

Machine	Humidifier