How do YOU fill your M-series Humidifier?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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mommystired
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How do YOU fill your M-series Humidifier?

Post by mommystired » Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:13 pm

Hello everyone!

It's been a while and hope everyone is doing well. Anyway, when I first went to my DME for my apap 'orientation', the RT told me to fill the tank for the humidifier by actually flipping open the little lock tab on its side and pouring water in it up to the "fill line"......but then when I sat down and read the manual a couple of weeks later , it instructed to pour water into the longer tube-looking-hole. How do you do it? Which way is the "right" way?! Is there a right and a wrong way? I do notice that pouring water in the hole does get me a couple nights' worth of humidity instead of having to fill it every night like before; but I was just wondering if everyone else did it the way the RT instructed me.

Thanks!

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CorgiGirl
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Re: How do YOU fill your M-series Humidifier?

Post by CorgiGirl » Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:35 pm

I fill it in the upper tube, which is how I was instructed to do it. Sounds like your RT hasn't been educated on the proper procedure since the manual says to do it this way...

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Mask: FlexiFit HC432 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: This is my current equipment set up
Previous equipment:
Machine: Respironics M series Auto with A-Flex
Humidifier: Respironics M series Heated Humidifier
Software: Encore Viewer

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OutaSync
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Re: How do YOU fill your M-series Humidifier?

Post by OutaSync » Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:50 pm

I just pour the water in one of the open holes. Usually last two days (except for the nights I sleep 15 hours!).. In fact, I don't recommend opening the tank, at all, ever. The more you open it, the more likely it is to leak along the seal.

Bev
Diagnosed 9/4/07
Sleep Study Titrated to 19 cm H2O
Rotating between Activa and Softgel
11/2/07 RemStar M Series Auto with AFlex 14-17
10/17/08 BiPAP Auto SV 13/13-23, BPM Auto, AHI avg <1

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Babette
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Re: How do YOU fill your M-series Humidifier?

Post by Babette » Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:55 pm

I agree with OutaSync. I only open that seal when I decide to clean the tank, and that's like MAYBE once a month. Right now on HH 1, I'm using about 3/4 of a tank a night. I just keep topping it off.

I just pour the water directly into the holes from the DW bottle. If there's any spillage, I wipe it up with my bedsheet and call it good.

Just remember - your DME has no vested interest in the long-term life of your equipment. The more equipment they can sell you to replace the stuff you broke because of their misinformation, the more money they can make.

Cheers,
Babs

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6PtStar
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Re: How do YOU fill your M-series Humidifier?

Post by 6PtStar » Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:11 pm

I think both Babs and Bev have the old style humidifier which had 2 square holes side by side and was very prone to leakage because the seal was to small. You should fill it through the longer tube. I would get a small plastic kitchen funnel because the round tubes are harder to hit when filling than the old square holes were. Also, opening it is not near as bad because they made the gasket large enough to actually seal and the latch is strong enough to pull it together. There should be a fill to full mark on the side when you tip it up to tell you when it is full. Do not fill above the gasket which should also have a full line on it. It can be opened to clean it on whatever schedule you perfer. It does not need cleaning ver often as long as you use distilled water.

Jerry

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Babette
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Re: How do YOU fill your M-series Humidifier?

Post by Babette » Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:24 pm

I guess I do still have the old style. I've been wondering what the "J Tube" thing was Corgi keeps talking about. I suppose I could fork over and buy a new one. It's been a year now, probably a good idea.

Cheers,
Babs

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Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Additional Comments: Started XPAP 04/20/07. APAP currently wide open 10-20. Consistent AHI 2.1. No flex. HH 3. Deluxe Chinstrap.
I currently have a stash of Nasal Aire II cannulas in Small or Extra Small. Please PM me if you would like them. I'm interested in bartering for something strange and wonderful that I don't currently own. Or a Large size NAII cannula. :)

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gasp
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Re: How do YOU fill your M-series Humidifier?

Post by gasp » Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:34 pm

Here is a thread to a post I did when I got what I thought was the new chamber. It turns out there is a newer "J" chamber.

My current chamber:
viewtopic/p289993/New-Series-M-water-chamber.html

I take the chamber out each day and turn it apart each day, turning each piece upside down to dry them. I live in a very humid environment and have allergies so do this extra step to ensure no bacteria grows in the chamber or on the seal etc.

To put water in it, I put it together and hold it up on one end, pouring water into one of the two holes with the large seals on them. I put in about 1" for one night and usually dump out a bit the next morning.

The style chamber as shown in my link above has what I call a hinge lock. My older chamber had a slide lock at one end of the chamber. The old chamber's seal was at risk for damage and wear by taking the chamber apart. The new chamber's design protects the seal better and I don't see that taking it apart will present possible damage/wear issues.

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Captain_Midnight
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Re: How do YOU fill your M-series Humidifier?

Post by Captain_Midnight » Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:55 pm

Each morning I unlatch the humidifier chamber and pour out any residual distilled water. I leave it unlatched, and the two halves upside-down to dry out on a clean towel during the day.

Each evening I refill with just enough D W to cover the bottom (way below the minimum line), and use no heat.

Caution, don't go by me, as I take minimally-aquatic approach (which for me gives the lowest AHI and the best success). Doing it this way, I use less than a gallon of DW per month, BTW.


.

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CorgiGirl
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Re: How do YOU fill your M-series Humidifier?

Post by CorgiGirl » Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:15 pm

Babette wrote:I guess I do still have the old style. I've been wondering what the "J Tube" thing was Corgi keeps talking about. I suppose I could fork over and buy a new one. It's been a year now, probably a good idea.

Cheers,
Babs
Babs, I'm pretty sure that you will have to buy a whole new humidifier unit if you want to change chamber styles. Below is a link to the two styles. The bottom part is the same, but the top part is not.... The other thing they changed with the J-tube chamber is that the unit is now 12v, not regular AC, so we can plug it directly into our motorhome's DC circuit.

https://www.cpap.com/viewImage.php?PNum ... 3756-a.jpg

_________________
Mask: FlexiFit HC432 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: This is my current equipment set up
Previous equipment:
Machine: Respironics M series Auto with A-Flex
Humidifier: Respironics M series Heated Humidifier
Software: Encore Viewer

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Babette
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Re: How do YOU fill your M-series Humidifier?

Post by Babette » Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:48 pm

Thanks Corgi! So not going that route right now.

LOL,
B.

_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Additional Comments: Started XPAP 04/20/07. APAP currently wide open 10-20. Consistent AHI 2.1. No flex. HH 3. Deluxe Chinstrap.
I currently have a stash of Nasal Aire II cannulas in Small or Extra Small. Please PM me if you would like them. I'm interested in bartering for something strange and wonderful that I don't currently own. Or a Large size NAII cannula. :)

7817

Re: How do YOU fill your M-series Humidifier?

Post by 7817 » Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:50 pm

Good evening, regarding your M series humidifier leaking. What happens is every time you open the chamber and proceed to put it back together again it is the blue gasket that is getting kinked. That is where your leak is coming from and why the leaking may be random. I would talk to your HME provider and ask for the replacement chamber. Respironics has come out with replacement chambers for this issue since the release . I would encourage you to talk to you provider about the leaking issue, I guarantee you are not the only customer of their with this issue.

Guest

Re: How do YOU fill your M-series Humidifier?

Post by Guest » Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:52 pm

My dad's RT told him the same thing. Guess RT's don't need to read the manual for any reason.

I have ALWAYS filled mine w/o opening it, it only makes sense. Much easier too.

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THier
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Re: How do YOU fill your M-series Humidifier?

Post by THier » Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:35 am

Hmm,, I wish I had payed more attn to this,, my "new" BiPAP auto came with the upgraded square heater.

Tom
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OutaSync
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Re: How do YOU fill your M-series Humidifier?

Post by OutaSync » Wed Sep 17, 2008 11:25 am

Mine looks like R2B. You mean they gave me an old model machine?

Bev
Diagnosed 9/4/07
Sleep Study Titrated to 19 cm H2O
Rotating between Activa and Softgel
11/2/07 RemStar M Series Auto with AFlex 14-17
10/17/08 BiPAP Auto SV 13/13-23, BPM Auto, AHI avg <1

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6PtStar
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Re: How do YOU fill your M-series Humidifier?

Post by 6PtStar » Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:47 pm

OutaSync wrote:Mine looks like R2B. You mean they gave me an old model machine?

Bev
No, just an old model humidifier. The leaks shorted mine out so at least you have one. I suspect most of the ones being sold on cpapauction are the old models they are trying to get rid of because they caused so much trouble. Actually the new model chamber at least makes the old model useable as long as you are careful and don't move it with water in it so that it fills the blower with water. I would almost buy one of the new models that runs of 12 volts but then I do like my F&P 150 and I can hook it up to my next Resmed machine!!!!?????

Jerry

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Humidifier: HC150 Heated Humidifier With Hose, 2 Chambers and Stand
Additional Comments: 11cm/H2O, Encore Pro 1.8i, Pro Analyzer, Encore Viewer1.0 - 3 Remstar Pro2's, 1 Remstar Auto
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting: "Wow what a ride!"
I still play Cowboys and Bad Guys but now I use real bullets. CAS