CPAP machine and batteries

We used to use a CPAP machine in the Pop-up for my son. It ran off of a Standard battery for about 5 days. Then we had to recharge the battery.

David

My CPAP machine, a Respironics run off both 120 volt and 12 volt. The machine has a converter built in that reduces the voltage to 12 volts. At home I plug it into the wall 120V but in either of my RVs I use a 12 V plug in an plug this directly into the side of my CPAP machine. I also have a 12V jump start setup, bought from Sears that has a 12 V outlet on it. I keep this setup charged and have used it a couple of times for tent camping or just as a backup if the furnace runs down my house battery. The jump start will run my CPAP for three nights before needing to be recharged. I often will recharge the battery in the jump start, by starting my truck engine, connecting the jump start cables to the truck battery and switch the jump start unit to the on/start position. I have twin 135 amp alternators on my truck so it doesn't take long to recharge the jump start battery. Probably not the best for longevity of the jump start battery but I have been doing this for several years now and it still works. LOL

CPAPs not using heat or humidity, seem to use very little power to run all night.

The extra loss from an inverter is a good reason to avoid using one if possible. My Respironics runs on 12V DC, and works great in the camper. I leave the humidifier tank at home.

This year, I too have been put on a CPAP machine. I have only been camping a couple of times since I began using it, so limited knowledge using it while camping. I think the typical use of a CPAP machine in a TC is different than in other RV types due to the type of camping we do. We often dry camp, with no hookups, and probably smaller battery banks than other RVs.

My machine is a 120-v unit. I use a 100 watt inverter, and see no need for the 12-volt adapter. I have one AGM battery (100 AH), and 130-watts of solar for charging when dry camping. I do not charge my AGM from my truck. With the two trips I made, the one AGM worked just fine. I did not need to run the furnace, and if I need heat I use my Wave3. I really don't know how it will be during winter months with solar charging the battery.

Wayne

We have 2 six volt AGM's, 220 amp/hrs. We run 2 CPAP's from a small 300 watt inverter. We can watch a movie every night and run the CPAP's all night without going below 50% on the batteries for 3 nights in a row when boondocking in reasonably warm weather. We have 200 watts of solar. If we have to run the furnace, there is still plenty of power for one night. Solar and/or driving will usually charge us back up the next day. I have installed switches for the propane and CO detectors and only turn them on to check periodically which is probably why we get by so easily. I'm NOT recommending that you do that unless you're willing to take the responsibility for your own safety. Hope this helps. -Mark.

If your CPAP machine has a unit-specific 12V cord available (CPAP.com is a great source of info on this), and if your TC has a 12V socket near the bed, you'll be fine. This is assuming that the batteries charge while you drive. The factory webpage for your TC says it has 12V outlets, but does not say where they are.

Another option, which I used early in my CPAP days, is a small plug-in inverter and then run the CPAP from that. My little inverter is a Duracell 150W.

If you do not have your CPAP yet, ask your provider for one that will run on 12V.

I use one , and my last camper did NOT have an inverter. I made an extension cord from stuff at Radio Shack , put 2 alligator clips on the battery end , and a cig plug on the other.. When I ran off battery , I DID NOT use the humidifier , just the CPAP. worked fine

There are some machines that have a battery pack for those times. But they generally do not use a heater at those times. Most machines run from 120VAC, so your sort of limited. Most CPAP users tend to have an inverter wired into their RV to run their CPAP machine. But this depends a lot on the model you end up with. Some insurance will only cover certain models. Leaving you to buy a smallermore compact jnit for travel.