Question for SoClean 2 Users

[zmbee]

I began using CPAP in the beginning of this year and purchased a SoClean 2 cleaning unit to aid in daily cleaning of my machine and tubing, which I've used almost from the beginning of CPAP therapy. I am using a RedMed S9 Autoset machine, a H5i humidifier, and a ClimateLine Max tubing. About 3 months after beginning CPAP therapy, my CPAP machine displayed a "Humidifier Fault – Replace Humidifier" message. I unplugged the power cord and plugged it back in, and this solved the problem for a while, after which the messages started appearing with ever decreasing time intervals in between. I finally took the humidifier to my local DME supplier and got a new H5i humidifier unit. However, 3 months later, I had the same issue, again tried resolving it repeatedly by removing the power cord, and again eventually received a new humidifier from my DME supplier.

It seemed odd that 2 humidifier units would fail after only 3 months and so I began wondering whether my usage habits might be contributing in some way. I had noticed that, while moving my tubing before bed, I sometimes see a "Climate Control Enabled" message displayed on my machine - and, in fact, I can generate this message simply by moving the tubing a particular way. This, in turn, made me wonder whether the SoClean 2 adapter that is placed between the ClimateLine tubing and the H5i Humidifier was to blame for the generation of the latter message. The adapter, IMHO, is poorly designed and very flimsy and it seems entirely possible that repeated movement of the tubing places stress on one or both of the 3-pin connector interfaces, either where the heated tubing is connected to the SoClean adapter or where the adaptor connects to the humidifier, and that this repeated stress somehow eventually causes problems with the 3-pin connection(s) - and perhaps this is eventually causing the "Humidifier Fault" error messages.

This is pure speculation on my part, of course, and certainly it's possible that I've received a couple of bad ResMed humidifier units, but I wondered whether others have had similar experiences. It might be worth following this more closely so that either Better Rest Solutions (SoClean 2 manufacturer) or ResMed, or both, are aware of this issue. I only regret that I did not connect the heated tubing directly to the humidifier after the last humidifier problem began since perhaps this would have given me some useful data. But it's also possible that the adapter setup causes slight damage to the humidifier pins because of repeated stress and therefore direct connection of the tubing would not have resolved the "Humidifier Fault" issue. If anyone has any suggestions, comments, or experiences they would like to share, I would be interested in hearing them. Thank you very much and my apologies for the lengthy post.

[archangle]

The SoClean generates ozone. Ozone is known to be corrosive. Maybe there's a connection, maybe not.

The SoClean people take care to set the ozone level where it doesn't damage CPAP equipment, but maybe there's still a long term effect, or your machine is generating too much ozone, or there's a leak sending ozone where it shouldn't be.

Please fill in your equipment on your profile.

Does the error message go away if you use an unheated hose? That would help diagnose whether the problem is in the heated hose contacts.

Do you have to remove and replace the SoClean connector every cleaning cycle, or do you use the CPAP with the connector in place?

[zmbee]

Hi archangle,

Thanks for your reply, I suppose it's possible that ozone may be causing corrosion, although I would assume that Better Rest Solutions would have considered this when designing the SoClean 2 unit. But I may be assuming too much. Regarding your questions, I have not tried a regular hose either with or without the SoClean unit attached. This is a good suggestion, however, and something I will try if and when I begin getting the "Humidifier Fault" message. The SoClean 2 unit is made so that it remains connected to the humidifier at all times. There is no need to connect and disconnect the unit, unless one is traveling with their CPAP machine and humidifier. But movement of the tubing does seem to cause some movement of the adapter since my CPAP machine detects movement of the tubing and gives me a message.

I will contact Better Rest Solutions and kindly suggest that they come up with a better adapter design (as I indicated, the current adapter is extemely flimsy), but I'm not going to hold my breath. I did call tech support at Resmed and made them aware of the possibility that there is a relationship between SoClean 2 use and the humidifier fault message, and they seemed very interested and expressed concern, but, again, it's only speculation at this point. Certainly, if the SoClean unit is causing a problem, I will not use it any longer. But it would be helpful to gather some data from others who may have faced similar issues in order to determine whether a relationship seems even worth considering.

Incidentally, where do I add my equipment to my profile? I wasn't able to locate this. Thank you kindly for your assistance.

[zmbee]

Doh! I added my equipment to my profile. Never mind!

[library lady]

The SoClean 2 unit is made so that it remains connected to the humidifier at all times. There is no need to connect and disconnect the unit, unless one is traveling with their CPAP machine and humidifier. But movement of the tubing does seem to cause some movement of the adapter since my CPAP machine detects movement of the tubing and gives me a message.

I don't use SoClean but your statement about "no need to disconnect the unit" seems inaccurate in light of the adapter problem you're having. Am I correct in assuming that this is what the SoClean manual tells you? I would probably want to disconnect it completely after every use if I were having this difficulty. Or is it something that's a hassle to connect and disconnect every time? If so, don't use it. I clean my own gear, including the tubing.

Ever since I bought a patio chair at Walmart that I had to put together myself that wouldn't come together until I reversed the last two steps of the instructions, I trust my own judgement when referring to instructions. That was years ago...

[chunkyfrog]

Just in case anyone is not clear, you never, NEVER use the SoClean while using the cpap machine.
The ozone will hurt your lungs at least as badly as electronics.
But, of course this is impossible. This frog worries too much.

[derhalli]

I had a post regarding using the Soclean2 with resmed S9 Autoset. You can have a look at it here:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=99513&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=soclean

Soclean have a special humifier door for the S9 Autoset to replace the adapter. You just need to call them directly.

[zmbee]

Hi derhalli,

Thank you so very much for the link to the other thread. The humidifier door may be just what I'm looking for. If nothing else, I'll call Better Rest Solutions and get more information. Out of curiosity, did you purchase a humidifier door from them? If so, has it been a good solution for you?

[derhalli]

No, I did not buy it yet (but will do soon).