Humidifier tank question on Phillips Respironics System One

Is anyone else having trouble opening the humidifier tank on the Phillips Respironics System One? It is a square tank with a "push tab" on the side. Supposedly you push this tab and pull up the top using two fingers in the vent holes on top. After the tank has been used, there is apparently some sort of suction -- or else it is just plain hard to use because no one in the family can get this open without struggling.

I contacted Phillips but they say no one has complained about it and they do not have any suggestions. Has anyone else had this problem? What works for you?

My PRS1 humidifier tank has a circular opening on the top where one puts their finger in, pulls back on the tab and
voila, the top comes off. The pull tab has a hard stop so you can't over exert, won't break. This has been fine for
over three months.

If you are blessed with a useful DME, I suggest taking it in with you and have them show you the right way to open it. If they also have problems due to a defect, they can return it for you for a new one.

In order to help you best, would you please fill in the equipment portion of your profile? I have a PR system one auto. My humidifier opens in a different way than you describe, so maybe we have different ones. We can compare equipment once you fill in your profile.

Mine opens up like Lars explained. EZ. The aggrivation part, to me, is trying to clean the thing with all the little dividers. I don;t have a dishwasher, so I use a toothbrush and a long handled artist paint brush. Sometimes just put a drop of soap and shake it reak good.

Not sure where "on the side" you are pushing on the tab but that is likely the problem. Try the tab in the center hole as mentioned above.

Mine opens very easily with the little push tab in the center hole. If that's how you're trying to open it, sounds like something is wrong and I agree with the recommendation to take it back to the DME.

Pap, that sounds like way more cleaning than you need to do. If you use only distilled water, it should not require a scrubbing as there's no residue. I fill mine with a drop of dish soap and very hot water to clean it, then put the lid on and shake gently (OVER THE SINK!). Then I put about 1/3 vinegar plus 2/3 water in there, let it sit for about 5 minutes, and rinse well. I've been using the same tank for over a year and it looks brand new.

OTOH, if you are using other types of water, there may be scale and residue which might need to be scrubbed out.

loulew wrote:Is anyone else having trouble opening the humidifier tank on the Phillips Respironics System One? It is a square tank with a "push tab" on the side. Supposedly you push this tab and pull up the top using two fingers in the vent holes on top.

I think that you are confusing the tabs on the side of the tank that act like a hinge with the internal tab within the circular opening that locks the lid to the tank.

With the tank oriented so that the opening at the back of the tank is to the right ( that's the sort of cut out area on the bottom of the tank), look at the circular opening on the top of the tank. On the side of this opening opposite the hinge tabs, there is a little release tab. Press this and the left side of the lid will lift up easily. Putting the tank lid back on you just engage the tabs and then press the lid down.

In addition to my last post...I use distilled water. I also rinse out the chamber with warm tap water and let dry each morning.
I only wash with mild soap once or twice a month. No need to scrub with a brush, why? It's never gummed up. It never gets dirty,
moldy, cruddy, or grundgy. It's too easy to just rinse out each morning.

pap4life wrote:Mine opens up like Lars explained. EZ. The aggravation part, to me, is trying to clean the thing with all the little dividers. I don;t have a dishwasher, so I use a toothbrush and a long handled artist paint brush. Sometimes just put a drop of soap and shake it real good.

My sleep Doc and the DME both told me to NEVER wash my tank with tap water and detergent or in a dishwasher. They both said to ALWAYS use distilled water and to rinse the tank with straight Hydrogen Peroxide every couple of weeks. My tank has been in service for 2½ years now and is as clean and clear as the day I received it.

I think I stated a (little to hard) on the cleaning the tank with brush part. Its very seldom done. I do use distilled water and there has never been any evidence of anything that needed attended to. Just shake and dry precautionary clean.. I also use some diluted peroxide occassionally (bi-weekly) maybe. Thanks to Jan,Lars for their response.

Mine opens easily. You may be pushing in the wrong place.

Louise

The Texan wrote: My sleep Doc and the DME both told me to NEVER wash my tank with tap water and detergent or in a dishwasher. They both said to ALWAYS use distilled water and to rinse the tank with straight Hydrogen Peroxide every couple of weeks. My tank has been in service for 2½ years now and is as clean and clear as the day I received it.

That is excellent advise. People can't seem to grasp that by washing w/tap water they can be introducing bacteria that would otherwise never make it to the inside of their water chamber. If you must wash things avoid doing it in the bacteria (bath) room or leaving it open and exposed to the dust n bacteria floating in the air.

At a support group meeting, I had a frustrated RT scream at me when I asked about using peroxide to disinfect. lmao

Unfortunately, it is much harder get people to stop doing things their RT has taught them.

GumbyCT wrote:At a support group meeting, I had a frustrated RT scream at me when I asked about using peroxide to disinfect. lmao

That's cuz your previous question was still fresh on her mind. You know...when you asked her, "What kind of tape would you recommend if.... "

rested gal wrote:

GumbyCT wrote:At a support group meeting, I had a frustrated RT scream at me when I asked about using peroxide to disinfect. lmao

That's cuz your previous question was still fresh on her mind. You know...when you asked her, "What kind of tape would you recommend if.... "

Yea, I brought a roll of 2" Blue Painter's Tape for "Show n Tell". Next time I'll bring a bottle of Peroxide

C'mon, take in a roll of duct tape! Might as well go for the gold!