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I just came home with a new fisher paykel thermosmart HC604 CPAP machine. The instructions say to use only distilled water in the unit. I would like to know if anyone has used tap water in their unit, and what effect it may have had on it. Any problems, etc?


(I had been using a Resmed unit for approx. 4 years with normal tap water and had no problems).

Thanks.

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Only people that can't read. It pays to use distilled water to prevent unwanted buildup inside the HH. You can put anything in a HH, but there's only one correct thing. Jim

Jager wrote:I had been using a Resmed unit for approx. 4 years with normal tap water and had no problems.

If that's been working for you for that long, just keep doing it!

You can rinse out the 604 humidifier chamber with white vinegar every so often if you start to see any mineral deposits becoming apparent.

Cheers,

Bill

Remember that the water chamber for the Fisher Paykel's are expendable and insurance will pay for a new water chamber every six months.

The machine came with 3 water chambers so I am in good shape their I think. I like the Idea of rinsing the humidifier chamber with white vinegar though and will be doing that. (Thanks for the tip billbolton).

Humidifier cleaning instructions from the manual:

WEEKLY

Thoroughly clean the chamber .

• Soak the inside of the chamber for 10 minutes in a solution of one part white vinegar to five parts water.

link removed

WOW! Read the manual, what a concept! (I probably should have mentioned I was a guy and we all know we don't read manuals...)

Jager wrote:I just came home with a new fisher paykel thermosmart HC604 CPAP machine. The instructions say to use only distilled water in the unit. I would like to know if anyone has used tap water in their unit, and what effect it may have had on it. Any problems, etc?


(I had been using a Resmed unit for approx. 4 years with normal tap water and had no problems).

Thanks.

Like you I have used TAP water / Well water for over a year without any problems -- I do soak with vinegar or lemon consertrate about once a month - NO effects to the TANK and its or me! SAVED $$$ to pay for a NEW tank if needed to be replaced....
That places me as a CHEAP OLDFART.

BERT

You are not exclusive in that department...



"That places me as a CHEAP OLDFART."

BERT

I'm a REALLY CHEAP (somewhat) OLD FART, too......but I've always used distilled water in my humidifier chambers and they're still like new and I've never had to spend any time cleaning them with vinegar solutions and have never had to replace the chambers.
I wouldn't want to be breathing any of OUR tap water during the nights.

Den

Wulfman wrote:I'm a REALLY CHEAP (somewhat) OLD FART, too......but I've always used distilled water in my humidifier chambers and they're still like new and I've never had to spend any time cleaning them with vinegar solutions and have never had to replace the chambers.
I wouldn't want to be breathing any of OUR tap water during the nights.

Den

If you can mix Scotch with the tap water and breath while taking a shower whats wrong with BREATHING it's vapors?? What do you spend on water per week??

BERT

Wulfman wrote:I'm a REALLY CHEAP (somewhat) OLD FART, too......but I've always used distilled water in my humidifier chambers and they're still like new and I've never had to spend any time cleaning them with vinegar solutions and have never had to replace the chambers.
I wouldn't want to be breathing any of OUR tap water during the nights.

Cheap and slightly mature here. Of course the wife would disagree about the maturity, and just call me an old fart.

I think the main thing here is that the quality of tap water differs greatly from area to area, and my opinion ais that if your tap water is OK, why bother with distilled?

Colin

This machine and chamber are very similar to mine. I have good RO water at home so that's what I use--it's on par with distilled water as far as minerals go.

One caution about tap water: I was using tap water a while back in a new chamber and after about 3 weeks, a pinhole / pit developed in the aluminum base, resulting in some ruined furniture. It had something to do with an electric charge running through the water (with minerals). I would not recommend using tap water in the F&P chambers for that reason.

Bert_Mathews wrote:

Wulfman wrote:I'm a REALLY CHEAP (somewhat) OLD FART, too......but I've always used distilled water in my humidifier chambers and they're still like new and I've never had to spend any time cleaning them with vinegar solutions and have never had to replace the chambers.
I wouldn't want to be breathing any of OUR tap water during the nights.

Den

If you can mix Scotch with the tap water and breath while taking a shower whats wrong with BREATHING it's vapors?? What do you spend on water per week??

BERT

Since I don't use a heated humidifier, a gallon of distilled water (maybe .60) will last me for months. I hardly ever dump it out and just keep adding to it. My tank will drop about 1/4 inch per night, so about every 3 nights, I top it off.

I never could handle the taste of Scotch.... It's good old Kentucky Bourbon for me.

Den

Wulfman wrote:

Bert_Mathews wrote:

Wulfman wrote:I'm a REALLY CHEAP (somewhat) OLD FART, too......but I've always used distilled water in my humidifier chambers and they're still like new and I've never had to spend any time cleaning them with vinegar solutions and have never had to replace the chambers.
I wouldn't want to be breathing any of OUR tap water during the nights.

Den

If you can mix Scotch with the tap water and breath while taking a shower whats wrong with BREATHING it's vapors?? What do you spend on water per week??

BERT

Since I don't use a heated humidifier, a gallon of distilled water (maybe .60) will last me for months. I hardly ever dump it out and just keep adding to it. My tank will drop about 1/4 inch per night, so about every 3 nights, I top it off.

I never could handle the taste of Scotch.... It's good old Kentucky Bourbon for me.

Den

A little Jack and water is NOT BAD!!
I use a heated humidifier and us about 1/2 tank per night so a Gal. @ .80 per added up....... a shot of vinegar was .25c or less --so-- the cost of the jug of water along with the mess < Being a oldfart I get sloppy! --- If you don't believe ask the wife "She knows it ALL!"> Just sticking the tank under the tap and rinsing out the old and adding new has saved $$$ I haven't had to spend & less junque to drag home from the store..
When I'm on the road I do use bottled water do to I'm from out in the woods and the stuff they have in the motels has ENOUGH Chlorine to BLEACH my fart white!!!
Even bad for the shot of Jack!!

BERT