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+--- Thread: Dirty humidifier water (/Thread-Dirty-humidifier-water)
Dirty humidifier water - Terry - 11-24-2015
My wife's PR 560 has a humidifier where the water gets dirty/cloudy/floaties in it after a night, even though both filters are in place.
I'm guessing there must be a suction leak somewhere, but have no idea where to look.
Is this fixable, or just time to replace the machine? It's at least 4 years old, maybe 5.
RE: Dirty humidifier water - AlanE - 11-24-2015
Not too familiar with the machine but sounds like maybe the gasket/seals are starting to deteriorate.
RE: Dirty humidifier water - Possum - 11-24-2015
(11-24-2015, 02:12 PM)Terry Wrote: My wife's PR 560 has a humidifier where the water gets dirty/cloudy/floaties in it after a night, even though both filters are in place.
I'm guessing there must be a suction leak somewhere, but have no idea where to look.
Is this fixable, or just time to replace the machine? It's at least 4 years old, maybe 5.
Most likely it's simply time for a new machine; however you can always contact the manufacturer to see if they have any suggestions or replacement parts available. That does not sound like a trivial problem
I would absolutely NOT use this machine any longer, though. Who knows what your wife is inhaling if the water is that dirty after a night.
RE: Dirty humidifier water - Mosquitobait - 11-24-2015
Have you tried a tank replacement?
RE: Dirty humidifier water - Sleeprider - 11-24-2015
I doubt you need a new machine. The PRS1 560 has what is called a "dry box" that is outfitted with silicon seals that are critical to the proper sealing and operation of the unit. The Dry Box seals and humidifier lid seal are very inexpensive and can be acquired from Supplier #1. Be absolutely certain that the humidifier tank is completely clean and disinfected. There are so many small crevices in that tank it can be very hard to clean. Contamination from a culture in the tank could cause the water to become cloudy in a single night.
RE: Dirty humidifier water - Terry - 11-24-2015
(11-24-2015, 04:05 PM)Sleeprider Wrote: I doubt you need a new machine. The PRS1 560 has what is called a "dry box" that is outfitted with silicon seals that are critical to the proper sealing and operation of the unit. The Dry Box seals and humidifier lid seal are very inexpensive and can be acquired from Supplier #1. Be absolutely certain that the humidifier tank is completely clean and disinfected. There are so many small crevices in that tank it can be very hard to clean. Contamination from a culture in the tank could cause the water to become cloudy in a single night.
That's interesting. I'll have to take a look tonight.
Thanks!
RE: Dirty humidifier water - Terry - 11-24-2015
(11-24-2015, 03:36 PM)Mosquitobait Wrote: Have you tried a tank replacement?
Nope. There didn't seem to be anything wrong with the tank.
I'll have to give it a closer look.
I'm not sure what could be growing in there even if it did have something in it, since it's filled with distilled water and there wouldn't be any nutrients or light.
I might take it apart tonight and see if anything is broken/cracked inside. I seem to remember that it hit the floor at one point, although that could have been the prior machine. Since it's picking up actual "stuff" like animal hair, I'm thinking it much be some sort of suction leak, which would be on the "intake" side of the blower.
RE: Dirty humidifier water - Sleepster - 11-24-2015
If you're the least bit handy that machine can be completely disassembled and thoroughly cleaned. You'll need a torx driver for some of the screws. The turbine blade assembly stays attached to the motor, but you can soak the turbine blades in a solution of cleaner such as rubbing alcohol, and then clean with a small brush. Just make sure the cleaning solution level is low enough that the solution can't get into the motor.
The thing is, though, all of that stuff is downstream of the humidifier tank!
Oh! I just realized what it might be. The tanks themselves are disposable. The replacement schedule is 6 months. I had one fall apart on me as I was carrying it from the sink to the machine. The seals failed where the metal heat plate meets the plastic.
Those tanks are put to shame by the ResMed S9 tanks. Anybody who's used both will tell you that.
RE: Dirty humidifier water - Ghost1958 - 11-24-2015
If its pulling stuff as big as hair, or anything actually either there are no filters, they are falling out at nite, or the case is cracked on the intake side of the fan.
Everything from that point on is positive pressure and bad seals etc will just be leaking air, not sucking in anything.
Other words problem is in the blower unit not the humidifier unit.
RE: Dirty humidifier water - Terry - 11-24-2015
(11-24-2015, 10:08 PM)Ghost1958 Wrote: If its pulling stuff as big as hair, or anything actually either there are no filters, they are falling out at nite, or the case is cracked on the intake side of the fan.
Everything from that point on is positive pressure and bad seals etc will just be leaking air, not sucking in anything.
Other words problem is in the blower unit not the humidifier unit.
That's what I was thinking.
I looked at the service manual and about the only thing it can be is the adapter that connects the blower to the filter, or possibly the outer edge of the blower housing, since everything else is pressurized. It's not clear if that's a separate part, but I'll find out soon enough. 8-)
I'll have to make some time and take it apart tomorrow.