CPAP machine and batteries

I am expecting my wife's sister for a visit and the two of them are planning on a road trip in the TC. She (sister) uses a CPAP and will need to be accommodated. I have a 300W Pure Sine Wave inverter that I use for astronomy and it will plug into the lighter socket in the cabover. Is this okay? Or is it too much inverter for the job and it will kill the batteries? (two group 27's, lead acid)

Should I have started a new thread? Sorry if I am sidetracking this one.

I use the k.i.s. method, a small portable inverter, plug it into a 12V socket, and plug the CPAP into the inverter. This one is typical: http://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-Inverter-Charger-Charging-Shared/dp/B003SGJIRO/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1462668625&sr=8-3-fkmr1&keywords=cigerate+dc+to+AC+adapter

I camped in Namibia with mine. It's a 12V that converts the 120volt.It was simple to hook up to the bakkie battery. We had a roof tent. As I've used it I'm needing less water, I'm using #2 setting now. When I was hunting I camped in a wall tent and used a # 24 deep cycle, supposedly it was good for three nights. Off to OZ and will be hooking up to the 'ute's battery, again a roof tent.

http://www.amazon.com/Respironics-Shielded-System-BIPAP-Truck/dp/B00K5UVH0M/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1462662984&sr=8-1&keywords=cpap+dc+adapter


There is what you need. you can also get an extension with clips for going right to a battery. You'll use something like 25AH per night if you skip the humidifier. What I find is that you get enough condensation in the hose to make up for the humidifier, or maybe it's just that the air when camping is not as dry or warm as at home.

rickeyleee - Some, but not all, CPAP makes/models have 12V cords available. Consult your owner's manual or contact the manufacturer. If they have such a cord, buy it and use in the a 12V socket in your RV.

The other quick option is to get a small portable inverter, plug it into a 12V socket, and plug the CPAP into the inverter.

Yes, a CPAP plus humidifier uses more power than just a plain CPAP, but if you need the humidifier then you need it. I use my humidifier, but set it on 1 or 2 instead of the 3 that was prescribed. Call it a compromise. It works for me.

My RV has 2 6V AGM batteries, no solar, no generator, and charging occurs when I drive. No problems, and I can go for 3 or 4 nights using the humidifier without running the batteries down too much. Your setup is different. Monitor it carefully until you know how much current you use. I bought a digital voltmeter, about $15, which plugs into a 12V outlet and I find it very easy to use for monitoring the level of my batteries.

rickeyleee I use an adapter that you can get for the machine plugs into the cigarett adapter or run one with a line from the batteries, if you buy the battery pack I was told it is very expensive so a 2 battery system gives you enough power to run for days, if you travel every day your 1 battery should do the trick. We just did a trip to Calgary Alberta beginning of April, first night it was -21C had to use the heater and cpap and woke up and tested the batteries and they were still at 12.5 volts, I have 2-31group agm batteries they are charged every day when traveling never had a problem there and back, we also had the heater on in the day to keep the camper a little warm as it was still cold all day 2 and also went down to -11c in Winnipeg Manitoba the second night so it is probably cheaper to just put in a second battery than buy the battery pack.


David

Ok... maybe I jumped the gun on that last post. After doing some research (God, isn't google great)... I see that most if not all CPAP machines are 12 volt machines even though you plug them into your wall socket (that's how I interpreted it anyhow). So.... if I buy one of the CPAP battery backups, and make sure that is charged throughout the day from my RV battery, I should be able to go many days. Also read where using the humidifier drains the backup battery at least twice as fast. Does all of this garble sound pretty much correct?

New here and a little confused on using my CPAP machine in my travel trailer. I just read here where many of you do it but confused how. Looked like some said they plugged there 12 volt machine into an inverter which to me means 110V. Anyhow, I want to use humidifier cause I without it, I can't sleep (mouth breather and my mouth dries up which wakes me up) and would like to use my home machine which is 110V.
Travel Trailer has just one battery.
1- Do I need to purchase a 12 volt machine with humidifier to plug into 12 volt.
2- Do I need to purchase an inverter to hook to battery to use my 110V home machine.
3- Do I need need a few 6 volt deep cells and a solar panel to run an inverter for any length of time?
Any suggestions?
Thanks folks...looks like a great forum!

TCBob, a well stated and informative post. Thanks.

Wayne

I have been using CPAP for years. A couple years tent camping before buying my TC. Started, and continue to use a "RV Deep cycle" battery with invertor. Usually lasts my whole trip. If extended trip, I charge it with Honda during the day for a couple hrs. I have always used my home unit, with humidifier.

Since owning the TC, I carry the battery in truck bed, ahead of wheel well in marine style battery box. In cold weather, bring it into TC in corner of the floor. Overall this works well, never concerened about draining house batteries (×2) or power for CPAP!

My life has changed since using the CPAP. The benifits are so good for me, but not really for this forum...but sufice to say, wouldn't be without it, AND not willing to limit my lifestyle because of it. Made it work for me! Hope you have the positive benifits I have, and don't allow it to limit you!