Fulltiming with a CPAP

[klebs]

The model we're looking at for our 1st coach for fulltiming is an Itasca Sunova 35G, which is a bit tight around the bed with the king bed option. Where to put my CPAP machine? I was wondering about maybe stashing it in the overhead compartment and using a hole saw through the cabinet bottom to drop the hose and power cord (since there doesn't appear to be an outlet inside the cabinet). Figured I might pretty it up a bit with one of those computer desktop plastic inserts. Anybody tried this?

[Quahog]

I'll check that out. Thank you

[ford_truck_guy]

I just upgraded to the ResMed S-9... It is night and day over what I was using... It also detaches the humidifier incase I want to travel lighter without it... I do so when flying for business.... Automatic airflow , just put the mask on and take a breath...

[Quahog]

This thread was great reading for me. I've had a CPAP now for about 9 years and I won't sleep lying down without it. Soon I plan to upgrade my Goodknight 420 that's getting pretty worn. Any thoughts on the quietest, smallest, most versatile unit?

p.s. I just set mine on the floor next to the bed. It's out of the way and there's no chance of getting tangled up in the hose and pulling it off the shelf. Yes, I have done that twice at home!

[musicman54]

my cpap just sits on the shelf net to bed hose goes up around my pillow and straight down so i can move all i want . and yes dont leave home with out it

[brirene]

Love2roam wrote:
try one of these masks... they are designed to diffuse the air so it does not blow on your bed partner. Really quiet too.

http://www.gocpap.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=airfit

That's the one I was referring to in the post above yours. Great nasal pillow type mask!

[Love2roam]

try one of these masks... they are designed to diffuse the air so it does not blow on your bed partner. Really quiet too.

http://www.gocpap.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=airfit

[brirene]

Regarding air blowing on others, if you're a nasal pillow user, I got an Airfit P10 about 3 weeks ago. I can hold my hand within a couple of inches and not feel any air blowing out. Extremely quiet, can't even hear any air being vented. Very happy with it.

[ford_truck_guy]

Not sure the last time you had one on.... My new machine that I just got earlier this year is very quiet with little or NO blow back...DW says she never hears it... My older Res/med was very loud ... With a lot of loose air blowing back....

[amandasgramma]

traveylin wrote:
I have only found one drawback to using my cpap. Its hard to get close to the DW if you know what I mean. The exhaust from the mask blows out and disturbs the sleep of adjacent folks. Stacking pillows can deflect, facing the opposite direction can happen. If they made a mask that exhausted back upstream on the supply hose I would be all over it.

pops

DITTO!!!!!!

[traveylin]

I have only found one drawback to using my cpap. Its hard to get close to the DW if you know what I mean. The exhaust from the mask blows out and disturbs the sleep of adjacent folks. Stacking pillows can deflect, facing the opposite direction can happen. If they made a mask that exhausted back upstream on the supply hose I would be all over it.

pops

[Dakota98]

cmoecmoe wrote:

Ropdoc wrote:

cmoecmoe wrote:
I solved the power problem by buying an 12V automotive jump box and use it just for the CPAP (for when I am not on the grid). I then plug it into the 12 volt during the day and it gets charged with everything else.

Craig

Can you share info on what this is. I am interested in this.

Thank you

Do a search on Amazon for "auto jump starter" or look for them at Sears, TSC, Lowes, Home Depot or any automotive parts store.

My CPAP plugs into 110 AC with a magic black box that converts the power to 12v DC. I made a cord that has a cigarette lighter on one end and a plug for the CPAP on the other end. The CPAP can be run right from a 12v source this way. The folks at Radio Shack can help with the parts for this cord.

When needed, I plug my CPAP in to the 12v outlet on the jump box at night. Then when you are back on the grid, you can re-charge with the wall wart. Great for 1 or 2 nights.

I have also made a double cord (with Cigarette Lighter Plugs on each end). This can be plugged in between the jump box and the accessory plug in your vehicle. That way, while you are traveling down the road, the jump box will charge. You could also plug it in this way to the 12V accessory plug in the camper when you have the generator running (or on the grid). This will also charge the box.

I also went one step further and took the jump box apart and added a SAE 12V lead so that I can hook it up to my Battery Tender in the garage. It is now always topped off and ready to use around the house or when I need to use it for camping with my CPAP.

Craig

I also use my CPAP connected directly to a 12 volt source. I believe if you contact the manufacturer of your specific make & model,you will find that there is a direct 12 volt power cord available, that's what I did for my Respironics Remstar. I use a "dedicated" 35 amp AGM, small footprint battery for mine. It will last 3-4 nights, not using a humidifier.

[Dakota98]

billkaufmann wrote:

Dakota98 wrote:

klebs wrote:
Mine has a humidifier but I don't use it, so an overhead cabinet is not a problem. I'd have to open the door at night anyway to turn it on so air flow won't be a problem IMHO. We probably won't do much boondocking but an occasional night at Walmart would merit extra batteries, and that is smth I didn't think about. Thanks to all for the advice.

Just read your post, all my CPAP's turn on automatically, whenever I put the mask on.

I have one in the house, Devilbiss,& two Remstars, one mSeries & the other one the Pro. The MSeries is in the TT always & the Pro is a back-up. They All turn on automatically. :h

I have a ResMed ASV machine with humidifier. It does not turn on automatically. I am amazed at how many of us need these machines. Hope all of yours has helped as well as mine. See ya on the road.

The auto feature may be somewhere in the settings. The Devilbiss I have is 10 - years old.

[traveylin]

Be carful with the double ended lighter cord. When plugged in on one end the other will have close exposed 12 volt contacts energized. Electrical burns can happen. The male female plug approach on power cords address the issue safely. There are situations where you will want to do this, and can feel you can do it safely. But if wife or grandkids use it they will not have the knowledge to use it safely.. Engineer a safer solution.


Pops

[klebs]

Ropdoc wrote:

ford truck guy wrote:
I place mine on the floor at my side of the bed.... plenty of air circulation , and plenty of room . . . plus when not in use , it is out of the way...

Joe

I have allways been shy about talking about this. Never discussed my using one with others. This is ... interesting. 😮

I put mine on the floor as well and run the hose up next to the top of the bed. The only issue for me is the plug is in the closet. But works great so far. And it is great that I can leave it there when traveling. I would like the hose to hang from the ceiling some how. But haven't put any thought into how yet.

What do you guys do about the cold air it blows out. Been a couple times nearly froze my face off. :Z

Dave

Hey, if I can read discussions here about how not to blow my poop in the neighbor's windows when I empty the black tank, talking about my CPAP is fairly bush league compared to that.

I just deal with the cold air. I find that when the compressor warms up it isn't nearly so bad, and I'm usually asleep by then. 😉

[cmoecmoe]

Ropdoc wrote:

cmoecmoe wrote:
I solved the power problem by buying an 12V automotive jump box and use it just for the CPAP (for when I am not on the grid). I then plug it into the 12 volt during the day and it gets charged with everything else.

Craig

Can you share info on what this is. I am interested in this.

Thank you

Do a search on Amazon for "auto jump starter" or look for them at Sears, TSC, Lowes, Home Depot or any automotive parts store.

My CPAP plugs into 110 AC with a magic black box that converts the power to 12v DC. I made a cord that has a cigarette lighter on one end and a plug for the CPAP on the other end. The CPAP can be run right from a 12v source this way. The folks at Radio Shack can help with the parts for this cord.

When needed, I plug my CPAP in to the 12v outlet on the jump box at night. Then when you are back on the grid, you can re-charge with the wall wart. Great for 1 or 2 nights.

I have also made a double cord (with Cigarette Lighter Plugs on each end). This can be plugged in between the jump box and the accessory plug in your vehicle. That way, while you are traveling down the road, the jump box will charge. You could also plug it in this way to the 12V accessory plug in the camper when you have the generator running (or on the grid). This will also charge the box.

I also went one step further and took the jump box apart and added a SAE 12V lead so that I can hook it up to my Battery Tender in the garage. It is now always topped off and ready to use around the house or when I need to use it for camping with my CPAP.

Craig