What's so great about HC 150 Humidifier?

ksp · Post by **ksp** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:07 am

I am just getting set up with APAP and have to decide betweent eh intergrated humidifier for the m series and the hc 150, Just looking for the pros and cons of each from those of you with experience. Ease of filling and other features.

jrt · Post by **jrt** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:26 am

I have both models. My Cpap came with the nice looking, compact for travel M-humidifier which either leaks, runs dry or works well 1/4 of the time.
So broke down and bought the HC-150 that holds more water and doesnt leak(because connections can be checked) for home use.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:31 am

It should be pointed out that the HC150 will work for many more years than a cpap machine and is compatible with all models. So buy an HC150 and you are set for humidity for ten years versus buy a whatever modular cpap humidifier and see it become obsolete and sell it on cpapauction for a song five years from now.

I understand that this is just one aspect of the bigger issue.

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:00 am

My intergrated humidifier leaked so bad I put it on a tray and it filled the tray up with water so much it shorted out the heating element in less than a year. It was suposed to be under warrenty but I could not get anyone to send it in so the warrenty was no good. The HC150 is great. Easy to fill. Works on any machine. The replacement chamber is only $14.99 as aposed to 39.99 for the intergrated chamber when it comes time to replace it. And it does not leak.

Jerry

jsmythe · Post by **jsmythe** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:12 am

I have the HC100, it is similar and works just as great if you find one of these.

ksp · Post by **ksp** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:22 am

Thanks for the replys. Does the 150 have settings or is it on/off for passive huimidity? Is it easy to fill?

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:31 am

If I had to do it over again I would probably get the HC150 (based on what I've read). I have the M-series with integrated humidifer. After 7 months I'm still using the same tank but I find I need to be very careful to be sure it's sealed properly. I often end up taking two or three tries to get it put together without any gaps. I have a spare on hand for the inevitable time when it doesn't work anymore or just becomes too annoying.

So, it's convenient in that it's just one item on my nightstand and it's ready to go for travel. It's annoying to make sure it's put together right and expensive (as noted above) to replace.

Mindy

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:40 am

Yes it has more settings than the intergrated one. The best I can tell the intergrated humidifier works only on the clicks (1 thru5), the 150 can be set between numbers. Can be turned off and not disturb the settings to be used as a passover. It has Ambient Tracking which helps a bit. Has a sensor that adjusts for temp and humidity to keep at the same level. Some say they can't tell much difference but if you are right on the edge of rain out it does seem to work. To fill just pull off the connector and fill to the line. Nothing to take apart.

The only down side is that it does not auto on with the machine switch. You have to turn it on seperate. But it also allows you to turn it on before the machine so it is warm to start with, nice in cold weather.

Jerry

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Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:23 pm

Why did they stop making the old Humidaire? Great heated humidifier with a big tank. So it's big! But my apap sits on top of it.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:57 pm

6PtStar wrote:Yes it has more settings than the intergrated one. The best I can tell the intergrated humidifier works only on the clicks (1 thru5), the 150 can be set between numbers. Can be turned off and not disturb the settings to be used as a passover. It has Ambient Tracking which helps a bit. Has a sensor that adjusts for temp and humidity to keep at the same level. Some say they can't tell much difference but if you are right on the edge of rain out it does seem to work. To fill just pull off the connector and fill to the line. Nothing to take apart.

The only down side is that it does not auto on with the machine switch. You have to turn it on seperate. But it also allows you to turn it on before the machine so it is warm to start with, nice in cold weather.

Jerry

Actually, the HC150 has a variable control ... you can set it between the marked settings. So it really has an infinite number of humidity settings.

In addition, it has ambient tracking electronics that tracks the ambient room temperature and adjusts the temperature of the HH reservoir water to maintain a more constant humidity. I have noticed that this feature only works if there are minor changes in room temp ... I have left the window open when a cold front came through and the ambient tracking didn't seem to be able to keep up with temperature change and I got a little rainout (still better than not having any ambient tracking I suppose).

As others have noted, it works with any machine, and you are much less likely to run out of water in the middle of the night with the larger reservoir size. Also, I have never had to turn the humidity control up past half-way ... so there is a lot more headroom for humidity than the integrated HH's.

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 2:09 pm

And, the F&P 150 heats hotter and delivers more humid, heated air than do any of the integrated HH.

Velbor · Post by **Velbor** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:59 pm

RipVW wrote:And, the F&P 150 heats hotter and delivers more humid, heated air than do any of the integrated HH

In tests that I ran last year, with one Fisher & Paykel HC-100 and one HC-150, with each of the devices set to maximum, both performed almost exactly the same, raising water from room temperature by about:

8 degrees C in 5 minutes
19 degrees C in 10 min
26 degrees C in 15 min
35 degrees C in 30 min
37 degrees C in 45 min and stable thereafter

This is indeed FAST and HOT. Simply as a matter of operating efficiency, the F&P humidifiers have a much larger heating plate area than the integrated units I've seen, and excellent physical and thermal contact with the humidifier chamber. ALL of the water in the chamber is directly over the heating surface (unlike some integrated units). The large volume held by the typical reservoirs, about 500cc, will generally last all night. The water surface area in contact with airflow remains constant, and is reasonably large, providing excellent humidification. The tray system provided by F&P holds most PAP machines and keeps everything organized and stable.

The HC-325 "disposable" chambers are quite inexpensive, and with care can last a very long time. Heavier and more durable HC-300 chambers cost a bit more and can be fully opened for cleaning (and are claimed to be "dishwasher safe"). I prefer the HC-325's over the HC-300 units, which can be a nuisance to pry open for cleaning.

Depending on your attitude toward emptying and drying after use, it does take some effort to get all of the water out of the HC-325 reservoirs. (I gently insert a threadbare washcloth most of the way into one of the ports, and then shake the reservoir, with the washcloth absorbing almost all of the water.) Keep the blue plastic caps that come with new HC-325's: they make excellent dust-covers when the reservoirs are not in use.

About the only thing these units don't do too well is travel as conveniently as the integrated humidifiers.

Overall, I think these F&P humidifiers are very impressively engineered. Add the plumbing right-angle adaptors recommended by 'rested gal' to your connector tubing, and they can't be beat!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 5:13 pm

Velbor wrote:Add the plumbing right-angle adaptors recommended by 'rested gal' to your connector tubing, and they can't be beat!

Yup! I do love the Fisher & Paykel HC 150 humidifier and these little thingies:

ksp · Post by **ksp** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:58 pm

Thanks for all the posts. Makes my decision a lot easier.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:27 pm

I've had several M series machines with the integrated humidifier, I'd get the HC150, the M series is stupid, it has the hose connection on the rear of the machine, that means you need to use an elbow with it (they no longer include that swivel elbow) or turn the machine backwards facing you which only makes it more noisy.

While the Aflex works great, it is the most idiotic designed machine on the market for actual use by a patient.

Get the HC150, it comes with a connector hose and then it doesn't matter so much. Get a couple of those elbows RG mentioned, I have some clear ones that came with the aussie heated hose they also work.

The M series tank will leak like a sieve if you take it apart for regular cleaning as the mfg suggest. The FDA should make them recall and replace those things they will all eventually leak.