Resmed S9 Humidity Setting Question

All,

In trying a nasal mask, I am finding that I'm getting dry mouth that I didn't get with a ffm. I'm well taped with no major leak issues. Sleepyhead says all is well. I know sometimes people get this when switching interfaces. I just need a little help with understanding what setting to use on the S9 humidifier.

With a ffm, I effctively used "auto" with climatline temp set to 70. I understand that this aims to give me 80% humidity at the given climateline temp. My room temp is 68-70 with a humidity level of 30-40%. If I recall, the manual mode reacts to room temp, but I was never really clear on just what happens.

I would like to gradually increase humidity over what I was getting with the ffm on auto/climateline 70. Any thoughts on where to start on the Resmed scale of 1-6? I assume it would have to be fairly high to boost over the 80% on the auto setting?

Thanks again for the advice and looking at my posts this morning. Seems I'm posting a lot these last few days. I must be getting excited about my therapy or something.

Best,

Mike

I have my S9 packed away right now, but as a reference when I switched my Airsense over from Auto climate to manual the number in manual was what Auto was using, so I had a start point, I am sure S9 is the same. The scale is a bit different on the AirSense ....1 to 8. --- 4 was about where the Auto was using......I went up to 7 and got better humidity. So I would guess you probably might try 5 on the S9 to get around 85 to 90 percent humidity........see what that does for you. Six might make your face wet on the S9 scale

I find it easier to switch the climate line controls to manual so I can turn on humidity (1-6 scale) separately from hose heat. My bedroom runs 68-74 depending on season in TX.

I just had a chance to peak at the S9 Clinical Manual.............it states that the default setting is 3 in Manual with increments of .5 available. So to get any measurable difference in your humidity output I would at least start at 4 and go from there depending on what you like.

Be aware if you increase humidity you may also have to increase the Climateline Hose temp to avoid rainout or condensation in the tube.

TangledHose wrote:I just had a chance to peak at the S9 Clinical Manual.............it states that the default setting is 3 in Manual with increments of .5 available. So to get any measurable difference in your humidity output I would at least start at 4 and go from there depending on what you like.

Be aware if you increase humidity you may also have to increase the Climateline Hose temp to avoid rainout or condensation in the tube.

I just checked it without the hose and it was 3.5. Looks like yout are right that 4 or 4.5 would be a good place to start. I was going to ask about the rainout and the temp. Probably will have to turn up the temp with the humidity, especially with these low temps in my area. I'm sure the room will be a little colder than normal, even winter normal. I've never experienced rainout, but then again I'd never had a red nose until yesterday. I guess I'm checking all the boxes!

Best,

Mike

englandsf wrote:I find it easier to switch the climate line controls to manual so I can turn on humidity (1-6 scale) separately from hose heat. My bedroom runs 68-74 depending on season in TX.

It still amazes me that 80% humidity in auto isn't enough. I guess that forced air is mighty drying, at least to some. I read that just as many like it with less humidity.

Best,

Mike

The Wetter - The Better..........for me

I'm a dry guy - passover in summer, 1-2 in winter. New efficient house in TX though so hardly very cold.

Well, I ended up at 5 on the S9. This took care of the dry mouth on the Eson nasal mask, and it made it a lot better with the Wisp as well. I didn't have any rainout at the 70 temp. settting but did notice a little condensation in the mask. This was after the ambient humidity went up as rain and slightly higher temps moved into the region. The setting was fine for the dry night but a little moist after the front.

I know the Auto mode is reacting to relative humidity at the hose temp. Does it factor room humidity? In addition, how does the manual mode work? Is it tied to room humidity or is it just fixed levels per any hose temp? Would appreciate if anyone could point me to some Resmed tech. information showing just what the manual settings mean. It seems one should be able to set a humidity level that works best independent of room conditions. Set it and forget it. Am I missing something?

It will be a real pain if I have to mess with the humidity setting each night as ambient humidity changes. I live in the Ohio valley, and we have wild swings in humidity.

Thanks.

Best,

Mike

Macpage wrote:

englandsf wrote:I find it easier to switch the climate line controls to manual so I can turn on humidity (1-6 scale) separately from hose heat. My bedroom runs 68-74 depending on season in TX.

It still amazes me that 80% humidity in auto isn't enough. I guess that forced air is mighty drying, at least to some. I read that just as many like it with less humidity.

Best,

Mike

The 80% in auto mode is not constant! In auto mode the humidity in the room dictates when it turns on and off. It is like the heat in your house, it does not constantly run but clicks on and off. To get constant uninterrupted humidity use manual mode and adjust the temperature and humidity to your comfort level.

webbie73 wrote:The 80% in auto mode is not constant! In auto mode the humidity in the room dictates when it turns on and off. It is like the heat in your house, it does not constantly run but clicks on and off. To get constant uninterrupted humidity use manual mode and adjust the temperature and humidity to your comfort level.

Ok. From your info and reading on Resmed's site, it looks like in auto according to Resmd, "the heater plate temperature changes to ensure a constant humidity level. Heater plate temperature depends on the ambient (room) conditions, the humidifier setting and the air flow". I'm assuming that this humidity level is the 80% often mentioned. When Resmed says this, "the moisture output for any given humidifier setting does not change, irrespective of changes in ambient conditions or air flow", I assume this for the given manual setting. Thus, I would conclude that in manual the machine outputs the constant selected humidity and what one gets at any given time at the end of the hose will vary with the ambient conditions, and air flow. Please correct me if I'm way off

If this is indeed the way it works, why on earth wouldn't Resmed just use the function of the Auto to let users select a range of constant numeric humidity levels. For instance, numeric auto setting A might be 85% and the next up numeric setting might be 88%. This way we could select our preffered setting just like manual mode, but we could be sure that our setting would have less variability regarding ambient conditions, ariflow, etc. It seems with all the issues relating to treatment and the humidity apsect that having a constant would be a patient plus, especially for newbies like myself

Maybe I'm missing something or just clueless as often happens, please let me know if so. I don't want anyone to read this, and it lead them in the wrong direction.

Best,

Mike

PS- At what point are we no longer considered Newbies?