Left water in my humidifer

[diamaunt]

(I'll put in a request wit sleepster)

Hey, I got your PM, but I'm not the Admin, SuperSleeper is.

No worries, though. That manual is available by email request. Follow instructions here for sending an email request:

http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-pr...tup-manual

Scroll down to SECTION THREE.

actually, the service manual isn't available by mail, it's linked out of the member files page that's down at the very very bottom of the page you linked.

[archangle]

the flow sensor is the rectangular block with the two posts near the top, one post on each side of the baffle that's in the airflow, and the pressure sensor is the chip on the bottom left with the clear gasket squidgy bit stuck to it.

I believe that part mates with a plastic tube air restriction (venturi?) device that sits in the airflow path inside the unit.

[diamaunt]

the flow sensor is the rectangular block with the two posts near the top, one post on each side of the baffle that's in the airflow, and the pressure sensor is the chip on the bottom left with the clear gasket squidgy bit stuck to it.

I believe that part mates with a plastic tube air restriction (venturi?) device that sits in the airflow path inside the unit.

you sir, are correct. there's a grid inside the plastic tube that provides a restriction, and the differential pressure sensor pokes in on either side of that.

[Sleepster]

So there's a venturi between the two pressure sensors? There would be a change in pressure due to that, and from the two pressure readings and the known diameters on both sides I can see how they might get the flow rate. Interesting.

It seems to me that a couple years ago or so I read something about CPAP machines using a low-inertia flow rate meter. Maybe Respironics does it that way.

[archangle]

So there's a venturi between the two pressure sensors? There would be a change in pressure due to that, and from the two pressure readings and the known diameters on both sides I can see how they might get the flow rate. Interesting.

It seems to me that a couple years ago or so I read something about CPAP machines using a low-inertia flow rate meter. Maybe Respironics does it that way.

Diamaunt's description and pictures make it sound like an airflow restriction device, not a venturi, although I'm not sure the difference matters that much.

PRS1 machines use a "Thermal Anemometric Flow Sensor. " That probably is some sort of a hot wire anemometer device. It connects to the airflow path similarly to the S9. The S9 might be a dual port pressure sensor or it might be an airflow sensor.

[diamaunt]

So there's a venturi between the two pressure sensors? There would be a change in pressure due to that, and from the two pressure readings and the known diameters on both sides I can see how they might get the flow rate. Interesting.

It seems to me that a couple years ago or so I read something about CPAP machines using a low-inertia flow rate meter. Maybe Respironics does it that way.

suggest you google 'differential pressure flow meter'

[Homerec130]

A little late to the party, but one option to remove moisture is rice. Put the unit an rice in a large sealable bag and let it sit for a couple of days. This is one method used to dry out cel phones. If it is an odor (and not from mildew) trying putting the unit in a sealable bag and include a one to two cups of unused coffee grounds (the cheaper the better). The coffee will absorb the odor (works quite well for cigarette smoke).

[macamon]

I'M HIJACKING MY THREAD BACK!!!
My gosh you guys have hijacked this so bad

Anyway, regarding my backup BIPAP,
RESMED VPAPIII (NOT S9)

I have taken Vsheline's recommendation and downloaded the service manual from the user file area. I have disassembled the unit, taken out the motor from the volute and went crazy with Lysol and 91% isopropyl. Diamaunt's recommendation of turning off the auto off option has been priceless. End result... the unit is back together, running, and smelling a lot better.
Since the methods I've used may not be good for someone with a sensitive respiratory system I have left out the details of what I've done.

Your feedback has been very valuable in navigating my way through this problem.

[archangle]

A little late to the party, but one option to remove moisture is rice. Put the unit an rice in a large sealable bag and let it sit for a couple of days. This is one method used to dry out cel phones. If it is an odor (and not from mildew) trying putting the unit in a sealable bag and include a one to two cups of unused coffee grounds (the cheaper the better). The coffee will absorb the odor (works quite well for cigarette smoke).

I've heard varying reports on whether the rice idea really works. There are a lot of reports of success, but maybe the device is just drying out the same as it would have without rice.

I took some dry rice, carefully weighed it with a sensitive scale and let it sit out for a while. It never gained even 1% in weight.

There was a joke about someone using cooked rice instead of dry rice.....

You can buy sealed containers of desiccant at Home Depot and similar places. It might be a good idea to buy some and keep it on hand for emergencies.

[Sleepster]

You can buy sealed containers of desiccant at Home Depot and similar places.

They are far more effective than rice.

When I lived in this humid climate without air conditioning (something I could never do now) we noticed that putting rice in the salt shaker kept the salt from clogging.

I would bet that if I weighed a cup of dry rice that's been in my air conditioned home for awhile, and then set it outside in the summertime humidity of Houston for several hours, it would weigh more.

Let me go get that scale ...