I've found a solution, and it should last longer than the original. Here are the details:
1. Get a window screen spring (see pic, available at Lowes, Home Depot and Amazon among others) and some 3M Removable Mounting Squares (or other adhesive of your choice).
2. Separate the humidifier unit from the CPAP unit by pressing the gray rectangular button on the bottom right and gently pulling the two apart.
3. Remove the 5 screws holding the back on the humidifier unit (see image). You'll need a special Torx security screwdriver bit (T10H) to remove them, like this one set sold at Walmart:
[Commercial Link Removed] Search Walmart for: EEE Kit/929547635 Torx Screwdriver Bits.
4. Examine your spring; it may not be perfectly straight. I had to bend mine with my hands to get it the way I wanted it. I also bent the u-shaped part to open it up slightly so the flat part of the spring rested flat against the back of the humidifier.
5. Cut a strip of 3M removable mounting square the same width as the spring and attach it to the flat part of the spring.
6. Set the back of your humidifier so the inside is facing you. Align the spring with the top of the humidifier back and position it so the free end of the spring can slide into the gap indicated in the picture. I suspect it will move around and bind against one side or the other if you don't do this. Make sure you don't cover the screw hole that should be just beneath it.
7. Firmly press the flat part of the spring against the humidifier back so the mounting square sticks well.
8. Put the back on the humidifier and fasten with the screws. When re-inserting screws into plastic, put each screw in place and turn it backwards while applying light pressure until you feel it drop into the existing threads, then tighten it. This will help avoid damaging the threads.
I thought about riveting the spring in place, and if the mounting square doesn't hold it I may do that in the future. I suppose two short machine screws and nuts would get the job done too. But this will be easier to remove and replace if needed in the future and doesn't require drilling.
I just installed this fix in my humidifier today so I don't know yet if it will prove to be durable over the long run. But it feels just about the same as the original plastic springs and latches the lid perfectly.
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