C-PAP machine and a TC?

Figure out how much power it requires and buy an inverter rated for at least that much.

My CPAP machine runs on 12VDC and on 120VAC hers might also. If it does a power cord can be purchased and run from a 12 volt power port. I have used mine dry camping with no problems. Personally I if it will work on 12 volts I would use that instead of the inverter which will use more power. JMO

Many CPAP's will run on 12 volts. What you have to watch out for is the humidifier. I your wife uses a CPAP with a humidifier, you will need a larger battery because the heating element in the humidifier takes a lot of power. Some humidifiers will not work on 12 volts. The instructions say to disconnect the humidifier before turning on the CPAP. If she can get by with out the humidifier, it is a easy project to supply an outlet for 12 volts for the CPAP.

You may need to get a portable 12vDC battery to power your CPAP. There are some interesting new options, some are very small and portable, but $$$. There are also some portable solar options to recharge the portable battery, but also $$$.

I'm assuming that your CPAP power cord/transformer can manage 120vAC to 12vDC. I have an auxiliary 12vDC battery (15 lbs.) with carrying case from Respironics that will power my CPAP for 2+ nights without recharging if I don't used the humidifier.

BTPO1 wrote:
My CPAP machine runs on 12VDC and on 120VAC hers might also. If it does a power cord can be purchased and run from a 12 volt power port. I have used mine dry camping with no problems.

I bought a 12V cord which is made for my make and model of CPAP.

I've learned a lot about batteries and how to monitor them since my sleep apnea diagnosis about 1.5 years ago. Bought a little portable digital monitor which plugs into the 12V socket and shows battery voltage. I kept a chart of voltage in evening and morning for a while until I learned what to expect.

Have found that I can go about 3 nights including using the humidifier without charging the batteries (about 220 amp hours worth of AGMs, which are not supposed to be taken below 50 percent charge); then I have do something (drive around or get a hookup camp for a night) to charge. It is so dry where I usually travel that I find the humidifier to be necessary.

Your battery bank and mine are undoubtedly not the same. Your wife's CPAP may not use the same amount of power as mine. Your other power needs may not be the same as mine.

With the right setup, she can still dry camp and use the CPAP.

Happy camping.

I've been using a CPAP for close to 24 years & 10 of that camping. If you use a humidifier with the CPAP, your power needs will increase. If you don't already have a 12 volt adapter, get the "one made for your machine" from any CPAP supplier. The adapter will allow you to plug directly into any 12 volt receptacle that's available. The alternative to that is use a "pure sine wave" inverter & the same power cord you use at home. I personally do not use a humidifier. I use the 12 volt adapter connected directly to a small 35amp AGM battery next to the bed, it lasts 2-3 nights before recharging is needed.

Assuming you have a single 12 volt battery for the RV, consider my alternative & have in place a method of charging both the coach battery & dedicated CPAP battery if that's the way you go. A single 12 volt battery will give you anywhere from 40-60 usable amps @ 50% SOC for the RV & CPAP & that's not enough

I have an adapter that came in two pieces. One has a 12V plug (cigarette lighter) and the other piece has a 12V receptacle that fits on the first piece and then has two clips to hook directly to a battery. Depends on what I'm doing and where I'm going as to how I use it. One note is that the humidifier, at least mine, will not work without shore power. Never noticed that this was a problem though, there is usually colder air surrounding the tube so the moisture in your breath keeps things humid enough. There are newer CPAPs made with camping in mind too. I find that when I use a separate deep cell just for the CPAP I only need to recharge it after 2 nights.

This is a very timely thread. My wife will be getting a CPAP machine soon. I have been researching the available machines with an eye on power requirements as we mostly camp off the grid. I do have 200 AH of AGM batteries and a built in generator.

I would appreciate it if some of you with 12 volt compatible models would list the manufacturer and model #.

My 12 volt compatible is a Phillips Remstar One, System One. I use a stand alone 12 volt group 27 battery for it and charge it about every 3~4 days of nightly use.

Jmckelvy -

CPAPs are not cheap! First you need to find out if the cost of your wife's machine will be covered by insurance and if yes, ask which types they provide. If there are options, ask for a model which can run on 110V for home use and 12V for travel. If they won't pay for it or don't offer a 12V option, you will have to decide your next step. Pay for a 12V yourselves or set up your rig to provide 110V for it.

My HMO paid for my machine. I told them that I had to have one which would run on 12V because I spend several months a year in my RV. They provided one, although I had to buy the special 12V cord separately (cpap.com is one vendor; be sure to order the correct cord). I don't know if my machine is the HMO's preferred model or not. I got what I needed and that was what mattered to me.

That said, and with the disclaimer that my machine is 1.5 years old and who knows if they make it anymore, here is what I have:

Phillips Respironics REMstar Auto A-Flex System One 560P

There are more numbers and such on the machine, but I am pretty sure that these are the relevant ones. It also says 12V 6.67A. It is a great machine, no glitches so far. The humidifier detaches, so it can be smaller for travel. It also runs with the humidifier attached and filled with water but no power to its heater.