Please explain this about rainout

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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RoboLobo
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Please explain this about rainout

Post by RoboLobo » Sun May 05, 2024 12:11 pm

So I have had pretty bad rainout the last few nights, even with adjusting my humidity level and increasing my tube temperature. But here’s the thing: everybody and their dog talks about condensation forming in the tube, that’s why we all run out and buy nice heated hoses. But when I pulled out my water chamber this morning, the inside of it was just covered in condensation. The top of it, the sides of it, etc. So isn’t the problem that condensation is actually forming in the humidifier chamber and sending it up the hose and into my mask? I suppose the counter arguments to this are a) the temperature in the chamber, especially when you crank up the humidity level, would keep condensation from forming, and b) this condensation occurred in the water chamber after I took off my mask at 3 a.m. in frustration, turned off my machine and got bad sleep the rest of the night. So maybe my observation of condensation in the water chamber is not reflective of what is actually happening and my theory is all wrong? What do you think? Thanks!

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SleepGeek
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Re: Please explain this about rainout

Post by SleepGeek » Sun May 05, 2024 6:06 pm

From what you are saying I think you need to turn down the temp on the water chamber, in fact start with turning it off then bump it up slowly. Good luck
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vandownbytheriver
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Re: Please explain this about rainout

Post by vandownbytheriver » Sun May 05, 2024 6:33 pm

Water vapor is generated in the chamber... entirely normal to see condensation on the walls, they're not heated. The hose is heated to prevent the vapor from condensing until it gets in your airway. Masks with a short tube attached (pillows, Evora, etc) have a non-heated place for condensation to happen, hence are more prone to rainout and perhaps are harder to adjust for.

You're using a Resmed machine with Climateline? What's to keep you from using Auto/Auto for your temperatures? The hose has a humidity sensor at the face end that prevents rainout.

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Climate Control - Auto setting Auto is the recommended and default setting. It is designed to make therapy as easy as possible so there is no need to change the temperature or humidity settings. • Sets the tube temperature to Auto (80ºF/27ºC). If the air in the mask is too warm or too cold, you can adjust the tube temperature to anywhere from 60 to 86ºF (16 to 30ºC) or turn it off completely • Adjusts the humidifier output to maintain a constant, comfortable humidity level of 85% relative humidity • Protects against rainout (water droplets in the heated air tubing and mask).
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Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Fisher & Paykel Vitera Full Face Mask with Headgear (S, M, or L Cushion)
Additional Comments: I use O2Ring, Oscar, SleepHQ, and Cover Roll Stretch mouth tape.

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Gryphon
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Re: Please explain this about rainout

Post by Gryphon » Mon May 06, 2024 8:06 am

I'm used to running my heated humidifier at max all the time, since you have the heated hose, try combining the heated hose with a insulated hose cover.

I have been using heated hoses with my fleece hose covers for as long as I've had a heated hose 10+ years at least. The two combined give me no hose created rain out. I still sometimes
get mask rainout in the winter months when my bedroom can get down to the 50s but I'd rather not mess with making a mask cover and risk interference with the exhaust ports on my mask.

PS: if you've never put a non-zipper hose cover on a PAP hose, snag a few clean produce bags next time you go for groceries, put one on the end of your cpap hose and it'll slide onto the cover really easy. Trying to thread your hose with out covering the rubberized ends will lead to swearing and loss of patience or your mind.... for what its worth.

Best of luck!

Rest well