A wife that needs some electrical assistance

[GeeGee2]

I need to ask some questions. My husband has had brain surgery This is something he just cannot process so I am really needing some help. I am trying to figure out the simplest way to power our two cpap machines off electricity. My CPAP is a Resmed Pro and I am at a 14. Hubbies is older and he is at a 7. We love national parks but know that many will not have electricity so I am looking for more than and overnight fix. Remember I am not at all electrically inclined so treat me like the total novice that I am when answering. We only have a marine deep cell battery. I have tried watching Utube for answers but the terminology just confuses me and my husband.

Questions:

1.We need a generator to power the battery (batteries)? How many batteries?

2.If we buy one I think we should make the investment to get one big enough for the air conditioner. We have just one AC. What size generator do you suggest?

3. We need something to go from the generator to the batteries? If so, what do we need to purchase to make that connection?

4. What must be purchase to go from the battery to the CPAP's to power them?
Where do I purchase that kind of thing. Since Radio Shack is no longer available I don't know who might have what we need.

What have I forgotten to ask and or need to know? Remember to keep it simple for me and step by step would be helpful.

Thank you so very much. I trust the people who are actually campers and have dealt with this. You know what we need and what this kind of camping requires. I have discovered that people who do not camp just give you a blank look when you try to tell them what you need to accomplish.

[Dakota98]

I've been using a CPAP for close to 24 years.

There may be two different ways to accomplish this, but the specific make & model number of each machine is needed. Do either of you use a humidifier with the CPAP ?

Also, What type of RV do you have, Motorhome, Travel Trailer, etc ?

How many batteries do you currently have to power the coach ?
Are they 12 volt batteries or 6-volt ?

Do you have a budget set for this ?

These answers will help in the process.

[Ron3rd]

GeeGee,
The first thing I would do is get a second battery installed if you only have 1. You can get a decent RV Marine battery for around $80 and you'll need a cheap battery box from WalMart, etc., then some basic wiring and hopefully someone can help you locally. If you lived in my neighborhood, I would come over and do it for you, but I'm in So Cal. It's a basic, easy job for the experienced. As to the generator, you need a 3000 watt Inverter style generator like a Champion, Honda, or Yamaha. Don't get the cheap construction grade generators commonly sold at home centers, they are basically as loud as a lawn mower and not suitable for camping. As to the cpap machine, we need to know how it operatates, ie, if you plug it directly into the wall, meaning it might have to run off 120 volts.

Back to the batteries; your batteries will either get charged back up by plugging into shore power like you do at a campground, or by plugging the trailer power cord into a generator. You might need a simple adapter to plug into the generator.

[lanerd]

Well, first we need to know if your cpap machines are capable of using a 12vdc input....most are. If yes, then all you need are the cables that you can plug into your cpap and a 12vdc (cigarette type) outlet. Unfortunately, those outlets are not real common and are usually only found close to the tv.

So you might have to have outlets installed on either side of the bed.

If your cpap is not 12vdc capable, you will have to invest in an "inverter" that will run off your battery and invert the 12vdc power to 120vac power. Keep in mind that this is a 1:10 conversion and will drain your battery over night.

You can purchase a generator to power both cpaps and the AC unit, and you will need at least a 3000 watt unit(might be able to get away with a 2000w) . However, if camping close to others, the noise will be disturbing and you'll definitely hear from your neighbors. In addition, I doubt if the generator will run all night on a single tank of gas.

So what to do.

First, I would replace either (or both) of the cpap machines that are not 12vdc compatible.

Secondly, I would replace the single 12vdc battery with a dual 6vdc deep cycle (golf cart type) batteries and install the 12vdc outlets next to your bed. The two 6vdc batteries (connected in series will produce 12vdc) will power both cpaps all night.

During the day you will need to recharge your batteries with the generator and/or to run your AC unit as it is only 120vac and not 12vdc.

Questions?

Ron

[BTPO1]

On my MH I use two batteries. I also use a CPAP machine and power it from a 12 volt power receptacle. Your CPAP machine may also work on 12 volt. It would be worth looking into as most places do not allow you to use a generator all night. Another option would be an inverter, but in my opinion a 12 volt power cord is better and uses less power than an inverter. JMO.

[kohai]

I've seen a lot of discussions in the past about cpap machines.

What type of RV do you have?

Click here for a search of the rv.net site for previous discussions.

[2oldman]

You should start here, otherwise the answers are going to be over your head:
12v side of life.

and this:
Don Rowe site Inverter FAQ

Generators: Do I need one? Sep 2014