Do the trailer outlets run off the batteries?
I am wanting to know if the trailer outlets run off the batteries. Is there an inverter/converter/doohickie that allows the batteries to power the outlets? I need to run a CPAP machine at night, and...
Forum Discussion
- I will attempt to make this quick and understandable
- Your CPAP uses a power brick which changes AC power to 12 volts DC power for the machine
- You have to look at the label on the power brick to confirm this - there is too much info printed on the brick look for 12-volts-DC
- This means your machine CAN operate DIRECTLY off of a 12 volt battery
- You are going to need an additional accessory connection wire that connects your machine directly to a 12 volts power source in your rig
- You can find a pigtail with the correct end at an electronics supply house, look at the Yellow Pages, Radio Shack is another source
- The pigtail will not have enough wire length to attach to anything. You need to extend it
- My CPAP extension cord has 20 feet of very supple black extension cord attached to the pigtail
- The extension cord was purchased at Home Depot off a big roll in the electrical department
- Buy as much as you need
- A friend or shop can make a connection to any -always on- 12 volt power source in your bedroom. They will understand how to make a plug and socket connection the right way that looks good
- A CPAP with humidifier uses a quantity of battery capacity every night that requires a deep cycle battery to be recharged after each night. Too much power drain for a single RV battery to go 2 nights in a row without charging
multiple batteries help- DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CONNECT YOUR CPAP TO A DEVICE CALLED AN INVERTER until you verify the inverter makes pure AC power called PURE SINE WAVE! This is crucial. You can DESTROY the CPAP if wrong power is sent to it
- The CPAP will work just fine on battery power BUT BUT BUT the machine must be disconnected from 12 volt power BEFORE starting the engine or plugging into shore power
- These instructions come direct from CPAP manufacturers and they mean it
- Your machine will consume around 5 amperes of 12 volt power WHEN the humidifier is heating water in the humidifier chamber
- Because of the long 20' length of my extension cable to a lighter socket, I chose 14 gauge cable at Home Depot
- Remember to choose EXTENSION CORD CABLE, BLACK. It is round, not flat and is very supple. It is easy to roll up for storage
- Stiffer cable causes a Rat's Nest tangle when you try to roll it up.
