Small Generator question

[phenrichs]

I sleep with a CPAP. When we go out we always have electric hook ups. However I am planning to take a motorcycle trip with some friends. Two of us have CPAPs for sleeping. I am trying to figure out a small power source to run our units over night. I am hoping to come up with something small enough to to transport on the motorcycle that will also be fairly quiet.
I thought since many here have generators and have already done their homework there may be some good advice here.

Thanks.

[bguy]

You can get some that are 600w and less. The only drawback is they are typically 2 cycle, dictating a second source of fuel. Machines that size are pretty quiet.

[mlts22]

lawrosa wrote:
Get the 800watt earthquake generator. Those jump start powerpacks are heavy.

This gen is 21 lbs. Before you retire for the night stop and fill the tank. It should run 14 hours on economy mode.

It should fit right in the saddle bags too..

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Earthquake-800W-Inverter-Generator/33707645

Here it shows it running... Its very quiet. In this demo you see the reflection of sound from the house may make it seem loud..

For $284 at wally world aint too bad..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7hNzkFF3B8

At the risk if a thread hijack, I'd like to know more about this little generator. It is not that much more than the ET800 clones that Harbor Freight sells, but Amazon reviewers seem to really like it. It appears not to take up much space (important if it is being used as an emergency secondary generator), and the price is right. Plus, being able to run 8-14 hours on slightly over half a gallon of gas would make it handy/economical for battery charging while boondocking.

I'm sure it isn't as quiet as a red/blue, but for a fifth the price for similar functionality, it would be useful to have on hand.

[wa8yxm]

Generator of choce, Honda EU-1000i or yahama EF-1200i,, Will run all night, very quiet on a tank of fuel epically with light load.

Recommendation, 12 volt CPAP (unless you use heated/humified) and a reasonable amount of battery,, Not sure those jump packs (Roughly 20 amp hours) is enough, a Group 24 (74) or 27 (100) might be closer to your needs.

NOTE you will have to figure out how to re-charge, your motorcycle systems are going to be a tad anemic. Solar may work. But a chase car would be ideal.

[Stefonius]

I bought a 12 volt power supply from my CPAPs manufacturer to use while dry camping. If I use the base unit without the humidifier, I can go a few days on the house batteries in the RV. The humidifier draws an enormous amount of power compared to the base unit.

[lawrosa]

Get the 800watt earthquake generator. Those jump start powerpacks are heavy.

This gen is 21 lbs. Before you retire for the night stop and fill the tank. It should run 14 hours on economy mode.

It should fit right in the saddle bags too..

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Earthquake-800W-Inverter-Generator/33707645

Here it shows it running... Its very quiet. In this demo you see the reflection of sound from the house may make it seem loud..

For $284 at wally world aint too bad..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7hNzkFF3B8

[The_Texan]

rv2go wrote:
It has been my experience that most State and Federal campgrounds will not allow you to run a generator all night. You might plan staying in parks with electricity.

They have NO choice but to allow them under the ADA law. If the Dr provides a Rx for the CPAP, which by the way is considered a "life support device", then the parks MUST allow its use, including a small generator to run the device.

[beemerphile1]

Forget the generator. Buy a jump start/power pack.

[n7bsn]

I suggest the inverter/battery powered CPAP route.
A club we belong to dry-camps and a number of members require CPAPs. They typically find that a good battery setup lasts two nights. One couple bought a Group27 and found that it would run two CPAPs two nights, no issues.

[rv2go]

It has been my experience that most State and Federal campgrounds will not allow you to run a generator all night. You might plan staying in parks with electricity.

[mlts22]

There are a number of ways to skin this cat:

You can buy a Duracell "power pack" (DRPP600 is the model) which is essentially a 600 watt inverter coupled to a small battery, which is intended to be used for radios when off the beaten path. I've read about people using that with good luck with their CPAPs.

You could get a battery from the CPAP maker and a charger. These will not be cheap, but a battery a night for each CPAP is doable. This is the solution that likely takes up the least amount of space and weight.

Of course, a 1000 watt generator will do the job, but even the quiet Hondas may be a bit of a racket, and there might be times of the day where running a generator may be forbidden.

[the_bear_II]

You'll need to determine how much power the two Cpap machines draw and then match the generator with the correct sized output in order to get the smallest possible. I had a Honda 1000 watt generator back in the 80s, it was very quiet. About the same noise as a portable fan on medium spped.

Depending again on the draw of your Cpap machines you may be able to plug an inverter into a power outlet from your motorcycle battery or add a second battery for more power. Each of you could run your Cpap from your own motorcycle.

There are alternatives to the Cpap. Here's one Dr's website
http://drgreenburg.com/sleep-apnea/cpap-alternatives

I've also seen exercises that you can do to eliminate the need for Cpap by strengthening your throat muscles.
http://www.sleep-apnea-guide.com/sleep-apnea-exercises.html