What's so great about HC 150 Humidifier?

You are right 6pt, they have stop putting the swivel elbows in the cpaps.

6PtStar wrote:I was told Respronics quit putting them in the package because they leaked water at the swivel.

I've heard this too but w/persistence the swivel shows up as a favor.

The fact is this swivel is part of the design because the blower output is in the rear - so this swivel makes the M series usable in tight quarters. Perhaps a call to Respironics is in order.

If you don't like the one from Lowes and you just gotta have one, cpap.com still has some in stock for $5.65. https://www.cpap.com/productpage/m-seri ... wivel.html

Jerry

6PtStar wrote:If you don't like the one from Lowes and you just gotta have one, cpap.com still has some in stock for $5.65. https://www.cpap.com/productpage/m-seri ... wivel.html

Jerry

Yep ... that's what I use and I got a bunch of 'em in case they ever stop making them ... like Jim, I got backups for the backups backing up my backups

Because an APAP requires feedback for the auto algorithm ot work, setting up the airflow system with two reservoirs in series "may" affect the transient response back to the APAP machine's sensor ... your auto could detect false events or not detect them at all. You could just try it and see ... but I get the feeling that if you are phobic about disconnecting the HH to begin with, you probably have no business experimenting with your treatment."

Phobic may have been too strong a characterization on my part. Just nervous as I have not had any problems with leaks or such and worry that if I separate the HH from the machine it will start leaking. I am also not averse to experimenting with my treatment, that was a consideration when I got the auto machine in order to play with the pressures that have ended up working best for me.

One question though, if the HC150 is connected by a short hose to the machine and then the hose to me is connected to the HC150 why is there not the same problem noted above regarding feedback to the algorithm used by the machine?

Anonymous wrote:

Because an APAP requires feedback for the auto algorithm ot work, setting up the airflow system with two reservoirs in series "may" affect the transient response back to the APAP machine's sensor ... your auto could detect false events or not detect them at all. You could just try it and see ... but I get the feeling that if you are phobic about disconnecting the HH to begin with, you probably have no business experimenting with your treatment."

Phobic may have been too strong a characterization on my part. Just nervous as I have not had any problems with leaks or such and worry that if I separate the HH from the machine it will start leaking. I am also not averse to experimenting with my treatment, that was a consideration when I got the auto machine in order to play with the pressures that have ended up working best for me.

One question though, if the HC150 is connected by a short hose to the machine and then the hose to me is connected to the HC150 why is there not the same problem noted above regarding feedback to the algorithm used by the machine?

Uhh, sorry ... that was my point. I don't think there is a problem.

I use a 4 ft hose between my mask and HC150 and a 1 ft hose between the HC150 and my AFLEX machine. My setup seems to work great for me. I suspect the mask type you use and the pressure setting "may" affect the APAP response as "may" other things like hose length and humidifier reservoirs in series ... but I would guess that it is a small effect and in my case it is insignificant.

I have had my M series auto with integrated humidifier for just over a month now. I have had no leak problems at all and it has never run dry. I never take the water chamber apart to clean it - I just swish warm soapy water in through the connections and then rinse it several times with warm water before letting it air dry. I bought a spare one, which is supposed to be the "fix' for possible leakage but now I hear that Respironics is redesigning the humdifier water tank compeletey because leaks are still possible into the machine. Makes me very apprehensive about it! I don't want to have water damage in my machine!
So--I'm have thinking about the HC150 humidifier. I have a question. Is there any possibility that there could be water damage at all to my machine with it?

P.S.!! Are there any instructions for setting up the M Series Auto with the HC150 Humidifier?

tmailberger guested wrote: Phobic may have been too strong a characterization on my part. Just nervous as I have not had any problems with leaks or such and worry that if I separate the HH from the machine it will start leaking. I am also not averse to experimenting with my treatment, that was a consideration when I got the auto machine in order to play with the pressures that have ended up working best for me.

One question though, if the HC150 is connected by a short hose to the machine and then the hose to me is connected to the HC150 why is there not the same problem noted above regarding feedback to the algorithm used by the machine?

My very not-techie guess would be that autopaps are designed so that they'll work ok with a separate humidifier if an integrated humidifier isn't used. How well they work with another style of humidifier might depend on a particular person's actual sleep disordered breathing.

Adding multiple things in-line, like using an integrated humidifier (turned off or on) along with a separate humidifier might throw too many twists and turns, so to speak, into the flow.

If a person has the software to monitor their treatment, I see no harm in giving two humidifiers in-line a try. If your data looked pretty much the same and you felt good, you'd have a better idea if the machine was "reading" your breathing as usual even with two humidifiers in-line.

Personally, I'd use just one humidifier. I know what you mean, tmailberger, about being reluctant to separate the M machine from its integrated humidifier. I don't mind tweaking stuff, but it did take me quite awhile to muster the will to go on and separate mine, lest they wouldn't go back together well again.

I got even more reluctant when I finally decided to go on, gave it a tentative try, and found that the two felt like they were welded to each other! LOL!! Turns out that it takes a good bit of force (or at least it does for a go-about-it-gingerly person like me) to lift the front of the machine so it can be pulled forward and out. The amount of "lift" the front needs before it pops up felt (to me!) like I was going to break something. I even got Ted (Titrator) on the phone to reassure me before I was willing to muscle on through with it.

Got the M humidifier stored away and have been happily using my F&P humidifier with the Auto|A-flex.

Hawthorne wrote:P.S.!! Are there any instructions for setting up the M Series Auto with the HC150 Humidifier?

viewtopic/t29350/Respironics-M-series-humidifier.html
6PtStar's post.

After you remove the machine from the humidifier platform, you put the "cap" (that should have come with the M humidifier) on the machine's air outlet, so there's a normal looking port on the machine to attach a hose to.

Attach one end of the short hose that comes with the F&P humidifer to that air outlet port on the cpap machine. Attach the other end of the short hose to the humidifier.

Attach your main air hose to the humidifier.

That's it.

Get a few of these to make removing a hose easier:


You don't have to pull, shove, bend, or wiggle the cuff to take the air hose on and off -- as when filling the humidifier. The elbow thingy lifts off easily and plops back on easily.

Thanks all! Thanks, RG (Laura). I'm off to cpap.com to order a HC150 Humidifier. By the way, RG, therapy seems to be going great. My AHI is generally around 2 or 3. Sometimes a little lower -sometimes a little higher. Others data is looking good and I'm still learning! Thank you, and others here in the forum, for your ongoing help!

Hawthorne wrote:therapy seems to be going great. My AHI is generally around 2 or 3. Sometimes a little lower -sometimes a little higher. Others data is looking good and I'm still learning!

Excellent, Hawthorne! That's very good to hear.

UPDATE: Ok I first have to say I was rwong (like Fonzie?) ha, so once you get up from the floor & stop lauging we'll move on, ha.

I called Respironics about this swivel thingy and had completely forgotten about it. how long ago was that? If you call their 800 number their outgoing message pretty much says they don't answer questions for individual clients - you should call your DME. So just who do you ask if your DME is lying to you then? Yea, pretty much painted into a corner.

I left a voice message with my question and a number to call me back. Today I received a voice message back from a woman saying she was with Respironics Customer Service trying to reach me to answer my question but she had no idea what my question was or who I was. hmmm OK, she left a direct number to return the call. yeee haaw

When I called the message said she was on the phone- hmmm thats prob her job, so I left another message with my name and asking if the swivel was still included with a new machine. I was just hoping this would give her time to research it if she didn't know the answer.

I Gave it a few minutes then tried back, this time lucky enuff to get a live voice. After confirming who I was she did say this swivel is "no longer included" with the machine. When I asked why, said she didn't know? I said well the blower still comes out the back of the machine and if you turn it around then the LCD is upside down.

She said they cannot sell directly to the public. I suggested that they not sell it but just send it, after ALL their bipap cost enuff right? She suggested I talk to my DME, I should have suggested she send it to my DME with my name on it, ha.

She did not sound like a "Happy Camper", but with all that is going on, why should she? She did ask if she could help with anything else but well she wasn't able to help with this either.

And before you all start in the with RG patented 90degree elbow widely distributed by Lowes & HD - I already have some I use on my HC 150. I just like this swivel plus its only 45 degrees plus it swivel both ways. It is pretty neat.

Anyway - Mea Culpa,
GumbyCT

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, bipap, DME

rested gal wrote:

tmailberger guested wrote: Phobic may have been too strong a characterization on my part. Just nervous as I have not had any problems with leaks or such and worry that if I separate the HH from the machine it will start leaking. I am also not averse to experimenting with my treatment, that was a consideration when I got the auto machine in order to play with the pressures that have ended up working best for me.

One question though, if the HC150 is connected by a short hose to the machine and then the hose to me is connected to the HC150 why is there not the same problem noted above regarding feedback to the algorithm used by the machine?

My very not-techie guess would be that autopaps are designed so that they'll work ok with a separate humidifier if an integrated humidifier isn't used. How well they work with another style of humidifier might depend on a particular person's actual sleep disordered breathing.

Adding multiple things in-line, like using an integrated humidifier (turned off or on) along with a separate humidifier might throw too many twists and turns, so to speak, into the flow.

If a person has the software to monitor their treatment, I see no harm in giving two humidifiers in-line a try. If your data looked pretty much the same and you felt good, you'd have a better idea if the machine was "reading" your breathing as usual even with two humidifiers in-line.

Personally, I'd use just one humidifier. I know what you mean, tmailberger, about being reluctant to separate the M machine from its integrated humidifier. I don't mind tweaking stuff, but it did take me quite awhile to muster the will to go on and separate mine, lest they wouldn't go back together well again.

I got even more reluctant when I finally decided to go on, gave it a tentative try, and found that the two felt like they were welded to each other! LOL!! Turns out that it takes a good bit of force (or at least it does for a go-about-it-gingerly person like me) to lift the front of the machine so it can be pulled forward and out. The amount of "lift" the front needs before it pops up felt (to me!) like I was going to break something. I even got Ted (Titrator) on the phone to reassure me before I was willing to muscle on through with it.

Got the M humidifier stored away and have been happily using my F&P humidifier with the Auto|A-flex.

You'll talked me into it!

When I got my new apap m series machine a week ago I traded the integrated humidifier in for the 150 and can say that the 150 supplies more humidity. I can run it lower and even off and I can get enough humidity. I even got rainout the first night which I could not get on the m series. I like the 150 much better.