Cpap and camping

[rightlaneonly]

I know this subject has been discussed here before but honestly most of this is over my head so I'm looking for a simplistic answer if that's even possible. DW has a Phillips IP22 Cpap. 12v 6.6 a. Uses it at home plugged into house current (110). We want to take it camping but not sure how it will work on an inverter. I have two. One is an Xpower Micro Inverter 400 watt and the other is a Vector VECO62 700 watt. either one would be plugged into a 12 volt outlet in the trailer. Trailer uses one group 27 deep cycle battery. Now what I want/need to know in layman's terms, will either one of these work and will the battery last through the night. I can recharge during the day with either a solar panel or a generator. I'm not good at all with electricity and the technical stuff just boggles my mind. With that said please be gentle and offer what you can in simple terms.
Greatly appreciate your input.
Lee.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Me no understand. Twelve volt CPAP. Six cell battery, twelve volts hotel circuit.

[pnichols]

We have several 12V receptacles near the mid-point of our motorhome, but the bed is in the rear with no 12V receptacles back there. We just plug a small 300W pure sine wave inverter into one of these 12V receptables, plug a light duty household extension cord into the inverter, and then string this cord back to the bed each evening to power the DW's non-humidifier CPAP machine. It works like a champ and her CPAP machine only uses slightly more current than it would if using one of those expensive $$$ bricks made for it that merely allow you to plug it directly into a 12V receptacle.

Why spend the effort and some money to put a 12V receptacle back by the bed AND THEN spend some more money for a brick so that we can then use the 12V receptacle for the CPAP machine? We already own the inverter for other reasons, so why not use it for the CPAP machine at night.

[ktmrfs]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Perhaps I assume incorrectly...

CPaps are used in a bedroom. receptacles are common. Are DC cigarette lighter receptacles now common in RV bedrooms?

The poster claims limited knowledge. You want HIM to somehow tap into a concealed DC bedroom 12 volt source.

"SIMPLICITY INCORPORATED" stated a "simple cord purchase" would get the poster a power cord to reach all the way from an existing cigarette lighter receptacle all the way back to the bedroom.

I can only sadly shake my head.

Reminds me. I have to go into the drawer and scrap a half dozen JUNK GRADE cigarette lighter plugs. You know, it really doesn't matter if the positive breathing apparatus fails at 2AM in some remote campsite.

my 2010 trailer came with a 12V cig lighter outlet in the bedroom. going through rv shows I'd say it is pretty common now to have at least 1 cig lighter receptical in the bedrooms. Not all, but certainly reasonably common.

Now all the 12V recepticals I've seen are the pretty common cheap ones. but if there is one there, pulling it out and installing a blue sea system should be pretty straightforward.

Now there is another possible issue even if one is in the bedroom. most trailer wiring is 14ga hot and ground. if the run back to the converter is very long, AND you try to run the humidifier, the cpap may go into shutdown mode due to voltage drop. without the humidifier, drop shouldn't be a problem.

And if there isn't a 12V outlet, well, your correct. it can be pretty frustrating even to those of us with good knowledge, to chase down and figure out how to access or make a 12V connection in the trailer to something that is always hot.

[Sam_Spade]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Are DC cigarette lighter receptacles now common in RV bedrooms?

I don't KNOW how common it is but I have a relatively inexpensive class C and there is one IN the bedroom; put there originally for a small TV set. The standard 12 V DC cord reaches just fine.

[Sam_Spade]

DustyR wrote:
and the best way I have found IMHO is a inverter.

Of course if your CPAP is AC ONLY operation, that is about your ONLY choice.

But if it really is a 12 V DC unit with a brick power supply, why would you say the above ???

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Perhaps I assume incorrectly...

CPaps are used in a bedroom. receptacles are common. Are DC cigarette lighter receptacles now common in RV bedrooms?

The poster claims limited knowledge. You want HIM to somehow tap into a concealed DC bedroom 12 volt source.

"SIMPLICITY INCORPORATED" stated a "simple cord purchase" would get the poster a power cord to reach all the way from an existing cigarette lighter receptacle all the way back to the bedroom.

I can only sadly shake my head.

Reminds me. I have to go into the drawer and scrap a half dozen JUNK GRADE cigarette lighter plugs. You know, it really doesn't matter if the positive breathing apparatus fails at 2AM in some remote campsite.

[rightlaneonly]

Thank you everyone, I sure know more now than I did. As usual I waited until the last minute to get this set up and we're leaving Sunday so I think unless I can get the 12V power cord today I'll go with the inverter and pursue a more permanent solution (from all your suggestions)when We get home. Its a short trip with 5 nights involved. Thanks again.

[DustyR]

I have used a inverter since 2001 with good results. I know there are several ways to power a CPAP and the best way I have found IMHO is a inverter. Here is a link to the unit I use CLICKY

This works for me and I hope this helps. I myself have picked up some excellent info from the discussion.

[Bumpyroad]

ktmrfs wrote:
Actual draw over 8 hrs with humidifier off is less than 1A. about 6AH per night. it goes to about 2A average draw with humidifier. for 12AH/night

without the humidifier on, I can run it 4 nights off a 250WH (20AH) lithium battery pack. .

use humidifier in passover mode only and avoid issues.
bumpy

[ktmrfs]

wa8yxm wrote:
Ok, Since it is 12 volt forget the Inverter, use 12 volt direct.. Both the inverter and the power converter (Wall wart or brick) are less than 100% so you loose power converting to/from 120vac.

Now 6.6 amps means 6.6 amp hours per hour. or in an 8 hour night

52.8 amp hours.JUST FOR THE CPAP..... A Group 27 at best has 95 Amp Hours..

You can only safely use about 25,, YOu need more battery

Upgrading to a pair of GC-2 in series gives you 220 amp hours (Give or take about 10) and over 100 usable.. That's more usable battery power LEFT OVER come Morning than you now have in the RV. I highly recommend the upgrade.

the 6.6A draw is the max draw with a safety factor for worst case operation conditions. low line voltage hooked to AC, max humidifier heater draw etc.

My resmed has a 4A rated draw. Actual draw over 8 hrs with humidifier off is less than 1A. about 6AH per night. it goes to about 2A average draw with humidifier. for 12AH/night

without the humidifier on, I can run it 4 nights off a 250WH (20AH) lithium battery pack.

I suspect the OP's is well under 6A draw worst case on 12V. likely down near 1A which is very common from those of us who have cpaps and have measured the AH draw per night.

[Larryect]

The rated power is not necessarily the amount it uses. It would use less, especially if you turn off the humidifier and heated hose if there is one. Then you would have a good chance of lasting all nighton the one battery using the 12 volt adapter. My understanding is that some equipment may not like most cheaper inverters becuase they are usually modified sine wave. So again the 12 adapter may be the better choice.

[wa8yxm]

Ok, Since it is 12 volt forget the Inverter, use 12 volt direct.. Both the inverter and the power converter (Wall wart or brick) are less than 100% so you loose power converting to/from 120vac.

Now 6.6 amps means 6.6 amp hours per hour. or in an 8 hour night

52.8 amp hours.JUST FOR THE CPAP..... A Group 27 at best has 95 Amp Hours..

You can only safely use about 25,, YOu need more battery

Upgrading to a pair of GC-2 in series gives you 220 amp hours (Give or take about 10) and over 100 usable.. That's more usable battery power LEFT OVER come Morning than you now have in the RV. I highly recommend the upgrade.

[Sam_Spade]

rightlaneonly wrote:
I know this subject has been discussed here before but honestly most of this is over my head so I'm looking for a simplistic answer if that's even possible.

Regardless of the subject, some people are incapable of giving a simple answer, it seems.

So far, the first reply was the best.
Get a 12 V power cord.

OR....if you think you MUST use an inverter for some reason, the power you quoted comes out to about 80 watts if it really draws that much, which is doubtful, so either of your present inverters should work fine.

[ktmrfs]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
The OP I think seeks a "recipe".

First of all my Respironics went NUTS on cheap inverter power. The images in the display window looked like Sanscrit. No Way Jose, will I ever try connecting to modified sine wave inverter again. I do not want a broken BiPAP.

So I decided to go direct. 12 volts from the coach to the socket on the BiPAP

• I took the power brick cord along to use the plug as an example of what I needed to buy
• A laptop repair service is a perfect place to have the plugs installed on a custom length cord
• But you will need the other end of the cord opposite the plug that goes into the cPAP
• Don't buy junk and 99% of do it yourself plugs are junk
• See my recommendation for a great quality cigarette lighter plug below
• The laptop repair place will SOLDER both plugs onto your new custom length power cord
• It will not pull apart.

https://www.bluesea.com/products/1010/12_Volt_Plug

LOOK in Amazon for this plug ---Blue Sea Systems 12 Volt Plug---


Now for the twin wire. not too big, not too small. Need very supple wire that is not glaringly obtrusive. Supple means it will be easy to wind up and will lay flat on the floor. Just in case you need to run wire to a distant cigarette lighter socket...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SPEAKER-WIRE-50-FEET-18-Gauge-High-Quality-For-Car-Home-USA-SELLER-FAST-SHIP...

Carry everything into the laptop repair place and plunk it onto the counter. Being you have already measured out how long a wire is needed the rest of the work is in their hands, not yours.

"Just right size" means you can use this wire without or with the cPAP humidifier going. The price of the long length of this wire won't kill your budget.

Finally, when you go to pick up your assembled cable, take the cPAP along. Proof that it works right on the counter.

And yes the Blue Sea cigarette lighter plug is worth it. Lesser plugs are junk and you do not need to deal with a plug that fails.

very good advice.

when I did my install, I used the blue sea 12V receptical, that way I got a reliable robust receptical. and then I wired it through a 10A fuse with 12ga wire using marine jacketed wire which is tinned and very fine strand to a breaker in the pass through where I have inverter, solar panels etc. wire from west marine. they carry quality low voltage wire. Then for my first cpap I bought the mfg 12V adapter plug, which is a cig lighter and jack. For the resmed unit, 12V is a NO NO. they run on 24VDC, In fact most of the new units from virtually all mfg run on either 12VDC or 24VDC. NEVER on 120VAC. the 120VAC plug just goes to either a DC converter block that plugs into the unit, or into a internal 120VAC to 12V or 24V DC converter.

For the resmed I went to battery power solutions and bought there 12VDC to 24VDC converter designed specifically for the resmed. Resmed also sells one, but for about 5x the price. And in the past Battery power solutions sine wave inverter and Lithium Ion battery packs have been very robust and reliable for me.

they sell adapter plugs and sine wave inverters for most any recent cpap or bipap machine.

course there stuff is easy to come by in the states, But as so many things, much more of a problem for Mex, down south of the border.

[Bumpyroad]

use humidifier in pass over mode
bumpy