Humidifier, how long to heat up?

[jnmv1969]

Hello all.

I'm giving this CPAP thing a try again. I'm going to try using a RemStar M Series A-flex machine. I just tried it for the first time today, but I think the humidifier might be broken. I checked the manually carefully to make sure it is connected correctly, and it is. All the plugs are attached properly.

I always liked with my old RemStar Plus CPAP, to turn the humidifier on before using the machine in order to warm up the water. I never liked starting out with cold water. This new machine doesn't seem to give me that option. The air has to be running for the humidifier light to turn on.

I left the machine running (but not using it) for 15 minutes to see if the humidifier would warm up, but it didn't. The metal plate is ice cold. I had it on a setting of 4. I'm not sure if I would use such a high setting, but I just wanted to see if the thing would warm up.

Does the machine have to detect breathing before the plate will start warming up? Am I doing something wrong?

Any help will be much appreciated -

Janet

PS: I will try soon to fill in my information regarding what kind of equipment and mask I am using.

[OutaSync]

I'm sorry that I don't know the answer to your question. I have not actually tested the heater after 15 minutes of use. I know that the metal plate was warm in the morning when I turned it off.

Would it help you to warm the water in the microwave before you filled your humidifier? That way you would be able to get to sleep comfortably and then feel the warming plate in the morning to see if it is working.

[jnmv1969]

Thanks for the reply and the idea.

I think I am going to put warm water in the tank - nothing too hot or that I can't run on the back of my hand, but just warm enough so that I can try the machine out. I'm just worried that maybe if the humidifier portion is broken, other parts might not be working too. This way I can test the machine and make only one call to my DME provider about the humidifier and anything else that's not working.

Thanks again,
Janet

[headbored]

When you left the machine running was the blue light on the humidifier selector knob lite? When lite the light on indicates that power is going to the humidifier.

[jnmv1969]

Yes, the blue light was definitely light-up on the knob that controls the humidity level. I might be wrong, but I have a feeling the unit is broken or defective. I am going to warm up some water and test the whole unit, because I want to make sure everything else is working before I call my DME provider. This way I can make sure the A-flex and card reader are working properly.

Figures, it takes me forever to want to try a CPAP again, and I get a possibly bum humidifier. Argh.

If I find that I was doing something wrong, I will post that information.

Thanks for your question.

Janet

[sleeplessinnorcal]

it takes about 7-10 minutes before my humidifier heats up on the highest setting, that is when i notice that the cpap air is getting warmer. i typically use setting 1 or 2 while sleeping

[GaryG]

I was told to microwave my distilled water for one minute before starting. I didn't notice much difference, but it might be worth a shot.

[SleepyNoMore]

Hi jnmv1969!
I hate to be the one to break it to you but the M Series HH does not pre-heat the water like the orginal Remstar did, this new M series just heats up after you put the mask on, it seems like it takes mine anywhere from 5-10 minutes to really warm up unless I put it on 5, then I get rain out (water in the hose) so I bought a Aussie Heated Hose and even with that, the water in the tank is still cold in my nose until the water itself gets warm!
I was very upset after I purchased the M Series Auto & found that it didn't have the option to heat the water, I really miss that option, it's hard to have cold air in your nose, especially in the winter! Hope this helps, PS-if you heat your own water & get it to warm, you will get rain-out so be careful...
SNM

[jnmv1969]

Thanks again, everyone. Your feedback and information were helpful!

- Janet