"M" Humidifier Chamber

dustbunny · Post by **dustbunny** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 10:34 am

I have been using the M series humidifier since Feb. 25 and so far no leaking. My DME told me the gasket wears out rather easily if it's taken apart daily so they recommend rinsing it out daily and disassembling it only monthly, which I have been doing. While the gasket might look fine, could it stll be leaking?
Also --- for protecting my nightstand top, I am using one of those tempered glass cutting boards that just fits the top of the nightstand. It works well for any drips or spills I make while putting things together or taking them apart.
best wishes
karyl (carol spelled by a young mom)

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 10:48 am

The book says to clean and dry daily, so much for beleaving the book.

Any one know if the chamber on the HC150 can be opened to clean it.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 11:09 pm

[quote="6PtStar"]It has already rurned the top of my dresser and I have it on cookie sheet with rubber pad like you put under a rug to keep it from slipping. My DME does not want to do anything about it since it is out of warrenty with Respronics. I e-mailed respronics and that is when they told me it only had a 90 day warrenty, I thought it had a full year like the humidifier. My main concern is that it could damage the CPAP machine electronics. Seems like a good idea to get the water away from the electronics even if it does away with the nice compact package. Just checked and it does have a "!" on the injection molding stamp.

Patrick A · Post by **Patrick A** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:52 pm

[quote="6PtStar"]The book says to clean and dry daily, so much for beleaving the book.

Any one know if the chamber on the HC150 can be opened to clean it.

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:33 pm

[quote="Snoredog"][quote="6PtStar"]It has already rurned the top of my dresser and I have it on cookie sheet with rubber pad like you put under a rug to keep it from slipping. My DME does not want to do anything about it since it is out of warrenty with Respronics. I e-mailed respronics and that is when they told me it only had a 90 day warrenty, I thought it had a full year like the humidifier. My main concern is that it could damage the CPAP machine electronics. Seems like a good idea to get the water away from the electronics even if it does away with the nice compact package. Just checked and it does have a "!" on the injection molding stamp.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:24 am

6PtStar wrote:The book says to clean and dry daily, so much for beleaving the book.

Any one know if the chamber on the HC150 can be opened to clean it.

No need to clean it. I have been using mine for well over 8 months and it still looks like the day I got it. I do use only "distilled" water in it but have rinsed it out a couple of times with tap water.

In any case, it is less than $15 to replace it.

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:19 am

DreamStalker

Where in the world did you find a replacement chamber for $15.00? CPAP.com wants $39.99 for it + $7.00 shipping. I did find it somewhere for $24.95 but I cant remember where. My DME refused to order one because medicare will only pay $19.00 for it and she says it cost her $35.00. Found one place that had the "O" ring and the top seal but thry were $18.00 just for the seals.

Inquiring minds that don't want to spend money want to know!

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cpap.com, medicare, DME

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:44 am

6PtStar wrote:DreamStalker

Where in the world did you find a replacement chamber for $15.00? CPAP.com wants $39.99 for it + $7.00 shipping. I did find it somewhere for $24.95 but I cant remember where. My DME refused to order one because medicare will only pay $19.00 for it and she says it cost her $35.00. Found one place that had the "O" ring and the top seal but thry were $18.00 just for the seals.

Inquiring minds that don't want to spend money want to know!

right here ... in Texas

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/fisher ... fiers.html

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:59 am

I'm sorry I thought you were talking about the replacement chamber for the "M" humidifier. As soon as mine quits I am going to replace it with the HC150. My understanding is that the standard tank on the HC150 cant be opened to clean it. You have to buy the aftermarket chamber that is around $75. I bid on on a used one on E-Bay the other day but missed it. At least the original chamber on the HC150 can be drained and dried out. The "M" chamber won't dry unless you take it apart. I can't take mine apart anymore, it leaked so bad I glued it together with bathroom silicone seal until I can ge a new one.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:16 am

6PtStar wrote:I'm sorry I thought you were talking about the replacement chamber for the "M" humidifier. As soon as mine quits I am going to replace it with the HC150. My understanding is that the standard tank on the HC150 cant be opened to clean it. You have to buy the aftermarket chamber that is around $75. I bid on on a used one on E-Bay the other day but missed it. At least the original chamber on the HC150 can be drained and dried out. The "M" chamber won't dry unless you take it apart. I can't take mine apart anymore, it leaked so bad I glued it together with bathroom silicone seal until I can ge a new one.

Again, I don't understand why you want to subject yourself to so much grief and busy work. My HH reservoir has not been dry in over 8 months and it looks and functions like brand new. As long as you use distilled water in it, nothing bad happens to it.

I just got myself a backup HC 150 brand new in unopend box (came w/ reservoir chamber) on Ebay a couple of weeks ago for $30 + overpriced $20 shipping ... still a bargin at $50.

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:34 am

I don't know, I guess I was worried about it growing little green critters in it. I do use distilled water but at times when I would first turn it on it would seem to smell a bit musty unless I dried it out. As you say I guess I am getting carried away, I guess I will try your suggestion and let it go for a while and see if it creats any problems. Thanks

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 12:32 pm

roncron wrote:I understand the numbers now. (I think.)

I have the "2" that identifies that the tank is defective per snoredog's photo.

But the date on the injection molding is 05/2007.

If I understand correctly, the numbers along the outer circle are months, the numbers along the inner circle are years, and there are two little arrows - triangles really - that point to the month & year the tank was manufactured. Nice of Resperonics to use this fun-to-figure-out system, as opposed to the more boring & obvious system of just stamping the actual month and year (e.g. "5/2007").

Not sure what the line segment is in the middle of the injection mold stamp - I had thought it was the number "1" that identified whether chamber was defective or not, but not sure now.

OK, I just got the one of these machines used, so there's no warranty and no DME to go through. (I fixed the machine, thanks to Snoredog's instructions on another thread) and so looked at the humidifier chamber and it had the dreaded "2" stamped on it. Since I'm using the machine mainly for travel, I do need to use the humidifier (otherwise I'd use the HC 150).

What I'm slightly unclear on is whether the date has anything to do with whether or not the "2" chambers are defective. IOW, is it only "2"s made on certain dates? Or is it all chambers with "2"?

Thanks once again to Snoredog for the photos and explanation of this problem.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 12:58 pm

I use a standalone Fisher & Paykel HC 150 heated humidifier with my M BiPAP Auto. I just add more distilled water each night without emptying out water that's still in the chamber. Maybe once every 6 months or so, I'll pour it out, give it a swish rinse with distilled, and start all over again.

I always did the same ultra casual routine with the integrated humidifier for my older "classic" REMstar Auto and my "classic" BiPAP Auto. A funnel and jug of distilled water.

The last thing in the world I'd want to bother with is having to pull the water chamber of an M machine out each night just to top it off with distilled. That F&P HC 150 humidifier is soooo handy. Can use it with any/all machines.

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 1:59 pm

I just broke down and bought a 150 (still in shipment) so I guess I will join you soon. Thanks for the information.

Jerry

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:16 pm

Actually, I do have the HC 100, purchased on Ebay for very little money. I was a little unclear, the HC 100 or 150 would work fine, but I don't want to have to lug it for travel, especially not on the plane, since I got the M machine for travel and as a backup. I hate to buy the chamber, but wanted the compact package for travel and don't want to ruin anyone's nightstand .

However, maybe I could just take a plastic cutting board sheet to put under it. Unless it's likely to ruin the machine, that is. I just wonder how likely that is, that it would ruin the machine or the heated part of the humidifier? I don't plan to use it much, just when I travel, a few weeks a year.

You can tell I don't want to purchase this, out of principle, mostly. This is a machine that's only 3 months old, even though I bought it used. I just hate to give the mfgr money for their mistake. No recall, or anything from them.

Machine