Advantage/Disadvantage of Stand-Alone HH?

Well I am moving along with all of this (still a newbie) and have decided to just buy the equipment that I want instead of the hassles with the DME.
I think I am going to buy the M-series auto WITHOUT HH and use an F & P HC 150 HH standalone.
The reason for this is that I want to have as many options as possible in either using HH or not using it.
If I end up traveling with the unit and I have found that I don't use the HH it means I dont have to lug around the extra weight and bulk.
Plus I just think it's best to keep the 2 units separate in case there is a leak in the tank. I don't want a mold problem at all in the blower part.
The only cleaning maintenance required (other than filters) in the 2 units should be just in the stand-alone HH.
So that's what my thinking is at this point in time. BTW I was titrated at 7....I am going to set the auto to a range of 6-9 to start with. I was on HH all night at the study but I do have allergies and ocaisional stuffiness and I want to be able to experiment with/without HH. With winter coming up it is pretty dry here in Delaware but in the summer the humidity is very high.
Are there any advantages to using an integrated HH?


Luke

I don't travel much (maybe 4 to 6 times per year) but when I have .... I really didn't find it to be that big an issue to bring along my HC150.

If I did travel a lot (like every week), I might consider the integrated HH ... the only reason I would consider having an integrated HH.

One advantage of the newest model of the integrated HH for the Respironics M series is that it is DC-compatible. That means you can run the humidifier from a 12-volt battery like a deep-cycle marine battery for power backup. That should last overnight.

Remember also that you can disconnect the integrated HH from the blower, and travel with just the blower.

The CPAP unit is well protected from the water in the heated humidifier if you don't move the unit with water in it. If the tank leaks, it might ruin the humidifer, but not the main unit.

I think the main advantages of the HC150 is that it holds more water, and it measures ambient conditions and adjusts the heating - it is a better humidifier. It will run only on AC.

luke wrote:Are there any advantages to using an integrated HH?

I (am lucky enuff to) have both connected and in use this time of year.

The integrated - takes up less space, turns on/off w/machine, new HH works on DC if thats important. If you choose integrated, I think it is important to insure you get the DC version to be sure you have the latest and greatest. Or you could end up with a troubled version.

HC 150 - holds more water, can be pre-warmed but has to be turned on/off separately and needs more space.

Good Luck,
GumbyCT

Luke.....

I respectfully disagree with Dreamstalker on this one......and I think you're going in the right direction.

All (3) of our units are M-Series with Integrated Humidifiers. The advantage is that the humidifier is controlled by the M-Series. We (my lady & I) have only (1) switch per machine for all functions.
That's nice.

However, when we're on the road, we have paper "flags" taped to our machines warning us not to move them....because of WATER in the tanks. When we're in a hotel, we always worry about a "well-meaning" maid who might move the machine...and let humidifier water run into the guts....thereby ruining it. Also, I have a fear of one of us quickly packing up a unit.....and failing to drain the water before throwing it into its carrying case.

With the "150", you wouldn't have to worry about that problem.

Also, some people have had problems with the M-Series Integrated TANK.....poor design..... causing leaks. One of our tanks leaked......because of a design defect...but I was able to correct the problem (I'm a mechanic).

So, boiled out, I think the "150" is better for you.

Gerald

The Resmed units are sort of integrated... yet they are not.

You need to connect the humidifier unit to the front of the blower unit for it to work. The humidifier unit separates from the blower with the push of a button and a tug to disengage the contact points. This leaves the blower as a small cube that will work standalone.

I have seen the integrated humidifier setup with the new Respironics machines. I don't want to ruffle any feathers here... but have to admit I don't like that integrated humidifier setup.

Gerald wrote:.... snip ....

I respectfully disagree with Dreamstalker on this one......and I think you're going in the right direction.

....snip ....


So, boiled out, I think the "150" is better for you.

Gerald

Uhhh ... I don't think there is any disagreement on this one .... I too think the HC150 is the better HH.

I said I might "consider" the integrated only if I traveld a lot.

I just went to the respironics site and downloaded the manual for the blower and HH.
I must admit I was uninformed ! When it said integrated I thought it literally meant
integrated and that you couldn't detach one from the other. But after reading the manuals
they are really 2 separate units which just plug together and they are easily detached from
one another. 12 VDC isnt really a must-have the electric barely goes out. I like the idea of more capacity
so maybe I will only have to fill it every other night?
I just don't like the idea of water in proximity to a blower motor. I'm an engineer who is in a design
job engineering medical analyzer instruments.

Luke

Luke, I think you're smart to go for a stand-alone heated humidifier. The Fisher & Paykel HC 150 heated humidifier I've used with a lot of different brands of machines works extremely well.

I personally wouldn't use an M humidifier, not even the improved staggered connecters version.

I like Respironics machines, and I like the old integrated humidifier for the pre-M models. I just wouldn't want to take a chance with an M humidifier until the "final version" had been out and problem-free for a long, long time. When using the M series Auto with A-flex, I always use my separate F&P humidifier.

Besides, as a confirmed "adds more distilled water as needed" non-dumper-outer I much prefer the greater water capacity of the F&P humidifier.

My comparison of the amount of water several humidifier chambers can hold:
viewtopic.php?p=206305

Like RG, I have used the Respironics 'tank' H/H and an F&P HC150 - the F&P is without doubt my fav.
But, I am quite happy with the older Respironics H/H that comes with the pre-M series 'tank' machines.

The F&P HC100 is also pretty good but the HC150 has a feature that adjusts the H/H heat based on changing room temperature so has an advantage. F&P are one of the leading suppliers of hospital humidifiers and are good quality products.

DSM

Stand alone is cheaper to replace if needed.

I love the almost infinate number of settings on the HC150. Always felt I needed a setting between 1 and 2 on the intergrated one. 1 through 5 leaves a lot of room for error.

Jerry

I never use the heat portion on my humidifier. If I was smart I would have saved all the money spent on humidifiers and just used the tank that came with my F&P manometer kit. I could have screwed it down to a 2x6 to keep it in place. It works with any machine and it won't wear out. As many machines/humidifiers I've gone through I could have saved a lot of money.

In the winter time I use a aussie heated hose, so I don't use the heat on the humidifier even in the winter at 65F or lower.

advantages of the HC150 that I can see:

-works with any machine, but one swap machines use same humidifier
-supposed to reduce rainout with ambient tracking, but most complainers of rainout are using a HC150
-doesn't have a timer to shut it off during the day, you will leave home with it powered on, increased
electrical use. You should put it on a digital timer so it is safer, uses less electricity and lasts longer.

My next humidifier will be a F&P HC 150 tank attached to a red oak board finished to match my bedroom furniture and a couple of 90 degree hose elbows.