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I have an old legacy REMstar Plus CPAP that I set on 4 cmH2O and use to dry out my hoses after my weekly cleaning.

It definitely blows less hard when set at 4 than when set at 10.

I'll have to experiment with a newer CPAP to see if it also blows less hard.

In my case, I have multiple hoses and let the just cleaned hose sit for a week or so after drying it out for 30 minutes or so, so drying probably makes more sense for me than it would for someone who only lets the hose sit for a day or so after washing.

If you are really keen on drying out your hose and mask, there is a company in the suppliers list that sells a 'Hurricane' dryer that has a hose attachment place

More dry, less dry, yee-haw rope them doggies, eieio. If moldy hoses freak you out, buy a spare hose or 2, and rotate. As for humidity in the humidifier going into the hose...on a PRS1 machine, pop the humidifier lid open after use and disconnect the hose. Dump the water from the tank if you feel the need as well.
Don't think I'd recommend those little silica packs though. That might be overkill.

JimP wrote:On the respironics unit, you have a clear plastic elbow where the hose connects.

Since it's still damp hours after turning off the machine, I can only assume that there must be some dampness up in the hose.

That's what got me thinking that I'd rather dry it out than leave it damp.

Another option would be to put an empty water tank in place and turn the humidity control off. Seems like that would work too but I'd rather not have that info added to the data card as some weird event.

And, what part of chunkyfrog's suggestion is not to your liking or seems illogical to you?
Why on earth would you "dry" a hose that you're going to put moisture back into in a short time?


Den

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Hmm... mold could be a problem if there is humidity AND there is no air moving. why else is it then recommended to dry out the hose?

tan wrote:Hmm... mold could be a problem if there is humidity AND there is no air moving. why else is it then recommended to dry out the hose?

What's wrong with washing the hose before bedtime (if you REALLY feel the need to wash it)? That way the little moisture that's in it will merge right into the existing moisture coming out of the HH tank.

In 9 1/2 years of therapy I've NEVER "cleaned" any of my hoses (either of them). That's right. I've been using my original hose with one on one of my backup machines that I alternate occasionally. I do have more stashed away but won't use them until something happens to either of my main two. I fill them with hot water occasionally (every few years) to check for leaks, but keep using them without "cleaning". There's nothing to clean out of them. I always use distilled water.


Den

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tan wrote:Hmm... mold could be a problem if there is humidity AND there is no air moving. why else is it then recommended to dry out the hose?

I asked this before and never got an answer - "Have you seen mold in your hose"?

Wulfman... wrote:

tan wrote:Hmm... mold could be a problem if there is humidity AND there is no air moving. why else is it then recommended to dry out the hose?

What's wrong with washing the hose before bedtime (if you REALLY feel the need to wash it)? That way the little moisture that's in it will merge right into the existing moisture coming out of the HH tank.

In 9 1/2 years of therapy I've NEVER "cleaned" any of my hoses (either of them). That's right. I've been using my original hose with one on one of my backup machines that I alternate occasionally. I do have more stashed away but won't use them until something happens to either of my main two. I fill them with hot water occasionally (every few years) to check for leaks, but keep using them without "cleaning". There's nothing to clean out of them. I always use distilled water.


Den

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I assume your equipment is stationary and doesn't go on road trips often to have lasted so long? Or did I FINALLY find something (xPAP hoses) that was made to last?

tan wrote:Hmm... mold could be a problem if there is humidity AND there is no air moving. why else is it then recommended to dry out the hose?

Where did you see that recommended (Besides here)?

Tatooed Lady wrote:

Wulfman... wrote:

tan wrote:Hmm... mold could be a problem if there is humidity AND there is no air moving. why else is it then recommended to dry out the hose?

What's wrong with washing the hose before bedtime (if you REALLY feel the need to wash it)? That way the little moisture that's in it will merge right into the existing moisture coming out of the HH tank.

In 9 1/2 years of therapy I've NEVER "cleaned" any of my hoses (either of them). That's right. I've been using my original hose with one on one of my backup machines that I alternate occasionally. I do have more stashed away but won't use them until something happens to either of my main two. I fill them with hot water occasionally (every few years) to check for leaks, but keep using them without "cleaning". There's nothing to clean out of them. I always use distilled water.


Den

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I assume your equipment is stationary and doesn't go on road trips often to have lasted so long? Or did I FINALLY find something (xPAP hoses) that was made to last?

A couple of them travel (by auto) about a month or so out of the year. Other than that, they're next to my bed. I clean the intake (gray foam) filters every two weeks and (for the most part) only use distilled water (or filtered water in a couple of emergencies).

Part of my equipment longevity has been an experiment to see just how long this stuff will last. When I first started therapy, I was reading about people getting hoses and masks every few months or more often. I couldn't imagine that this stuff could wear out in such a short time and decided to do my own "durability testing". The primary mask I use is the one I started out with in May of 2005. I've changed the headgear once (although I borrowed the one from my backup mask for a couple of years in between) and the seal/cushion once. I closely follow my leak numbers and have noticed that as my seals get older, the leak rates typically get lower. Current seal/cushion has been on it since April of 2011 and the new headgear since January of 2012. I've only broken two parts on it......the forehead support when I dropped on a hard floor and that's what hit the floor first.......and the elbow in the front of the mask (that was fairly recently).......and I had spare parts to replace both when they broke.
It's not that I can't afford spares and replacements......I have quite a stockpile of everything (all purchased out-of-pocket). It was just an experiment that I started way back when and haven't finished yet..........


Den

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Tatooed Lady wrote:

Wulfman... wrote: In 9 1/2 years of therapy I've NEVER "cleaned" any of my hoses (either of them). That's right. I've been using my original hose with one on one of my backup machines that I alternate occasionally.

I assume your equipment is stationary and doesn't go on road trips often to have lasted so long? Or did I FINALLY find something (xPAP hoses) that was made to last?

most of Den's equipment is hewn whole out of granite by master craftsmen.

Cool. I'm running my own tests too. Just not sure what they are or what I'm trying to accomplish.

I recently replaced a hose that I'd had four four or five years... not because there was anything wrong with the hose, but because one of the ends was getting lose and not holding onto the mask as well as it should.

palerider wrote:I recently replaced a hose that I'd had four four or five years... not because there was anything wrong with the hose, but because one of the ends was getting lose and not holding onto the mask as well as it should.

So...because there was something starting to be wrong with the hose (as a whole, not separate part identifiers)...?

Tatooed Lady wrote:

palerider wrote:I recently replaced a hose that I'd had four four or five years... not because there was anything wrong with the hose, but because one of the ends was getting lose and not holding onto the mask as well as it should.

So...because there was something starting to be wrong with the hose (as a whole, not separate part identifiers)...?

well, honestly, I'd wrapped the end of the hose with a bit of string to tighten it, I just wanted a longer hose without using a coupler between two 6' hoses... so I bought a 3 meter hose.