Dreamstation Humidifier Question

[Newbee2016]

For the Dreamstation, must the heated hose be hooked up in order for the humidifier to work?

I haven't yet opened the new hose packaging and am still using my old 22mm hose as past humidifier usage didn't cause rainout issues. I realised this morning the air coming out was cold, as was the water in the chamber and the plate. I had set the humidification to Adaptive and heater at 3. Have had the need to top up water over the last few days but that could be due to evaporation under airflow?

[Sleeprider]

The humidifier on a Dreamstation will work at a reduced temperature without a heated hose. It automatically detects a heated hose and will produce higher levels of humidity. The highest moisture content is possible in manual mode, with separate control of the humidifier and hose temperature.

[Hydrangea]

I was wondering this, too. (But it was my first night on cpap, so I wasn't wanting to ask yet.)

I felt like my cpap air was cold. I turned humidity up, and it didn't seem to make it warmer. (I guess in my mind humidity = hot... but as I'm reading past threads about humidity, I'm realizing that's not the case.)

So does one have to have a heated hose in order to have warmer air? Humidity has nothing to do with heat? If that's the case, what's the point of "pre-heating" the humidifier? (I saw that function on my DreamStation, so I tried it out... and felt like it didn't do anything, since the air was still cold-ish.)

Sleeprider - What is manual mode? Manual for the humidifier? (I don't have a heated hose, so I don't know how that may change what setting options I have available to me.) I set my humidifier for 1 or 2 throughout the night, to see if that would help it be warmer. I didn't go much higher, since my past life experience has taught me that I don't like to breathe humid air.

[Sleeprider]

With Dreamstation, you can choose between Fixed or Adaptive Humidification. If a heated tube is being used, the device will
automatically switch to Heated Tube Humidification Mode. It appears there is no manual mode with a dreamstation unless you use an aftermarket heated hose like the "Aussie Heated Hose" from Sleepzone. With the previous 60 Series machines, the System One humidification could be switched off, and a manual mode selected with separate humidifier and heated hose settings like we have on current Resmed machines. With a Sleepzone hose, your machine can be set to Fixed mode, and the heated hose is HOT! If you want a hose that actually heats the air, SleepZone is the only one that will do that. I used one for 6 years, and it was like an electric blanket. You could feel the warmth. Unfortunately, with the advent of OEM heated tubing, this option is becoming expensive, and difficult to find.

Bottom line seems to be that Dreamstation tubing is not very warming to the air, and I was incorrect in assuming that automatic humidity function could be turned off.

[Hydrangea]

Ah, ok. That makes sense.

You make me want to get a heated tube, just so I can see what it's all about. It seems like most people prefer that.

[chill]

It is what all the cool kids are doing. Or so they tell me.

[Newbee2016]

I'll switch to manual and up the setting and see if the plate is warm in the morning. Adaptive may make adjustments such that it's harder to track.

[Hydrangea]

It is what all the cool kids are doing. Or so they tell me.

I'll have to wait until I see my DME... see if I can get insurance to cover it. Then I'll be cool!

I'll switch to manual and up the setting and see if the plate is warm in the morning. Adaptive may make adjustments such that it's harder to track.

Me too! And I agree. :-) (Thanks for letting me tag along with you.)

[Newbee2016]

It is what all the cool kids are doing. Or so they tell me.

I'll have to wait until I see my DME... see if I can get insurance to cover it. Then I'll be cool!

I'll switch to manual and up the setting and see if the plate is warm in the morning. Adaptive may make adjustments such that it's harder to track.

Me too! And I agree. :-) (Thanks for letting me tag along with you.)

You are definitely most welcomed! The more the merrier.

[Newbee2016]

Checked it out, with setting at "fixed" and level 4 with preheat on and the water was warm and so was the plate. Interestingly the plate was vibrating when I touched it. Decided not to linger. A subsequent check and the plate was hot and no vibrations any more.

So it works. Now the question is which to choose, fixed or adaptive. Only way is to try both.