Hi My wife and I each use a cpap machine that uses 1.2 A apiece. We have found cpap batteries that will last 10-12 hours to use when we dry camp. The question is how do we recharge them the needed 4-5 hours to use the next night. Would a generator work? If we use solar, how many panels would we need and would the outlets work? Thanks for your help.

This tutorial may be of some help. 12v side of life.Get some basic knowledge first so the answers make sense to you.

If you use a genny and hook it to the electric cord from your rig the outlets should work.Will you be camping near people who may object to the genny being on at night?Be nice if we knew if the CPAP has a puck in the cord or is it just a straight cord.

Check on it, many CPAP and BIPAP units are actually 12 volt. DW and I both use one and both of our units are 12 volt. Mine is an unheated basic CPAP which apparently draws about 1.5 amps and hers is a BIPAP drawing about 3.1 Amps . Both of our machines are Philips Respironics and the 12 Volt cords are avail from the Mfr website.By using them this way the same batteries we are recharging anyway are handling the CPAP units and the trailer batteries recharge faster than the little specialty batteries from the med suppliers. But if yo are more comfortable using the secondary units made for your machines install an inverter to power the rechargers, and just run the genny to top off the trailer batteries after the secondary system is done.

darsben1 wrote:If you use a genny and hook it to the electric cord from your rig the outlets should work.Will you be camping near people who may object to the genny being on at night?Be nice if we knew if the CPAP has a puck in the cord or is it just a straight cord.What is a puck in the cord?OP, as mentioned above, yes you can use your generator to recharge the batteries, and no, I would not rely on solar panels as you may not always have a nice bright sun...then you're screwed.Personally, I just got a 12v adapter cord for mine and used the rv batteries for power all night. Then I use the generator to recharge the rv batteries the next day during times that generators are allowed.Ron

kerrlakeroo wrote:Check on it, many CPAP and BIPAP units are actually 12 volt. DW and I both use one and both of our units are 12 volt. Mine is an unheated basic CPAP which apparently draws about 1.5 amps and hers is a BIPAP drawing about 3.1 Amps . Both of our machines are Philips Respironics and the 12 Volt cords are avail from the Mfr website.I have the same brand. It is 12 volts with a 120 volt unit for in the house. Uses 6.6 amps with heated humidifier unit. I turn off humidifier unit option when in the RV. Then uses 2.0 amps.

Cpaps and dry camping | Good Sam Community

ktmrfs
Explorer II
May 19, 2017
I have the resmed unit, runs off trailer 12V with a 12V adapter. (actually a 12V to 24V dc to dc converter) On most cpaps figure for 8 hrs, something around 16AH from the batteries. so even a single 12V 80AH battery is good for at least 4 nights. double the power or more if you want or need to use the humidifier. Otherwise just turn off the humidifier.

Virtually ALL cpap's made today run off 12V (or 24V for the resmed) even when plugged into the wall. 120V is a 120V to 12v or 24V DC converter. do NOT use an inverter, all it will do is increase the power usage and you will go from 12V to 120V back down to 12V.
TexasChaps
Explorer
May 19, 2017
kerrlakeroo wrote:
Lwiddis wrote:
"cpap machine that uses 1.2 A apiece"

Other posters say different amp use. Are you sure 1.2 each?

My unit uses a maximum of 3.5 when using the heated humidifier, I never use it and the manufacturer said I should be between 1.2 and 1.5 depending on my individual pressure setting without it so I gave the higher number to be safe in my comment.

My wife has the Devilbiss Intellipap. It consumes 130 watts with the humidifier active. so 1.2 amps is reasonable.
Harold_s_Habita
Explorer
May 18, 2017
How do I install an inverter in my trailer?
darsben1
Explorer
May 18, 2017
Puck in cord = transformer in cord. An indication that the CPAP is actually a 12 volt unit in disquise
time2roll
Nomad
May 18, 2017
Recharge will be solar or generator. If you get any sun I recommend 200+ watts solar.
Otherwise I think you are looking at a Honda 1000 or 2000 or equivalent.

With solar you will still need a small inverter to recharge using the plug adapter.
> Members Solar Installations With Pics
kerrlakeRoo
Explorer
May 18, 2017
Lwiddis wrote:
"cpap machine that uses 1.2 A apiece"

Other posters say different amp use. Are you sure 1.2 each?

My unit uses a maximum of 3.5 when using the heated humidifier, I never use it and the manufacturer said I should be between 1.2 and 1.5 depending on my individual pressure setting without it so I gave the higher number to be safe in my comment.
Vintage465
Nomad
May 18, 2017
Oh, and the Phillips Respironics are 12v and I purchased the 12v adapter from some c-pap store on line for like $40.00 each. Haven't tried running the furnace on cold nights with the both C-Paps running though.
Vintage465
Nomad
May 18, 2017
My wife and I each use a Phillips Respironics C-Pap with the humidifiers off. Not real sure what the draw is but our 300w solar brings everything back to full during the day.........most any day, even with some clouds.
beemerphile1
Explorer
May 18, 2017
Don't buy CPAP batteries, use the batteries in the TT. Either buy the appropriate adapter cords for your units to plug into 12v or use a small inverter.
2oldman
Explorer II
May 18, 2017
srt20 wrote:
with 5 or so guys in a 20 ft wall tent, you wear earplugs at night if you don't want to hear everybody snoring
yuck. Sounds like everyone needs a cpap.

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