CPAP machine and batteries

[djg]

I've just been informed I have to use a CPAP machine and was wondering if anyone out there uses this with just batteries, currently have 2 AGM 12 volt batteries group 31 I think about 240 amp hrs and was wondering if that is enough power to run a home unit. We usually drive during the day and do not camp for much time mostly sightseeing tc'ers, love the driving part and love scenery

[Tiger4x4RV]

Don't feel sorry for us CPAP users. Our condition can be controlled by a machine. Non-sleeping life goes on as before, or probably better because we get better rest.

To be able to get out there, drive, camp, hike, whatever we all do and whatever medical issues we live with - - we should be grateful every day to be able to keep on doing it! I am 70 years old, have been RV camping for over 60 of those years, and hope to continue for quite a few more years to come.

[slickrock_steve]

Golly!
I really feel for you folks who need the C-PAP. At only 70, I am still not needing one, and since I have a form of Lymphocytic Leukemia, I wonder if one is in my future when the disease starts really depleting my red blood cells till I can't get enough oxygen.
I do live in the desert, and usually camp in the desert as well. Last year on our trip to the north west, and North and South Dakota, Montana, Oregon, and Idaho,I did experience a couple bad nights at the altitudes over 9000 feet. So....I will have to get with my Hematologist, and find out!!

[Tiger4x4RV]

~DJ~ wrote:
I don't use the humidifier even at home. Never could tell the difference and much less chance of a yeast or mold infection!!

For those of us who need the humidifier, a reminder: drain and dry it every day. The mask needs to be disassembled, cleaned, and dried daily. The hose should be rinsed daily. I do a more thorough cleaning with soapy water, rinse, and dry once a week. Include the machine's filter and the headgear.

Nobody every mentions these aspects of CPAP camping. The camper can get to looking like a CPAP laundry room!

Also, if you use a humidifier you need to make room to carry along a jug of distilled water.

[tonymull]

IF you have severe apnea, then no, going without is hardly an option. You may not die, but you'll get little sleep, dreaming of drowning, suffocating, etc and waking up every few minutes gasping for breath....so put that one aside. As for running 2 hondas? That wasn't for a cpap, they don't take much juice. He was running his air conditioner. I don't know of any cpap that can't run of 12v DC, you just need the adapter.

[FreebirdFlies]

The relative humidity where you are makes a big difference on whether you need a humidifier feature turned on or not. Relative humidity of the air also makes a significant difference on how much water your humidifier uses each night. At least for me.
I live in the desert, and a lot of my travels are out west in dry country. The humidifier feature is a must for me. It is always on the high heat setting.

And, yes, I can sleep without the Cpap machine, but it is usually a miserable nights sleep of frequent wake-ups and vivid bad dreams.

[_DJ_1]

Yes, people can and do die from sleep apnea, hence the CPAP.

What I learned about mine, ResMed S9 with detachable water tank is that it is actually 24 volts. And I think most CPAPs are hence the black box in the 120 volt power cord. It reduces 120 to 24. You don't want 120 volts strapped to your face if something went wrong!!

I had bad luck using a 440 watt converter in my camper. First you are converting 12 volts to 120 then back to 24. Every time I exhaled the converter would turn on and make the fan noise. I'm glad I tried it at home first.

Then Tiger4x4 told me about cpap.com where I was able to order a 12 volt power cord specifically for my machine. VA doesn't furnish them. It works well. I don't use the humidifier even at home. Never could tell the difference and much less chance of a yeast or mold infection!!

[mkirsch]

Make every effort to find a unit that can run off 12VDC.

There is nothing worse than being camped next to someone who has to have TWO Honda 2000's running ALL NIGHT LONG to run his CPAP. I'm tossing and turning while he's snoozing away in air-conditioned CPAP-fed comfort. Then at 4AM one generator runs out of gas, and the other one goes to WIDE-OPEN for the next three hours.

If I didn't absolutely have to be there the next day I would have packed up and left.

The one thing I don't understand is, can't you live without it for ONE night? I mean, you've lived 50, 60, 70+ years without it. Is one night going to kill you? If it were me I would go without the thing rather than inconvenience everyone else at the campsite.

If you can't live without it one night, or if you camp frequently, there is NO EXCUSE for not getting one that can run off 12VDC. Heck you want that for power outages at home anyway.

[zcookiemonstar]

Reddog1 wrote:

djg wrote:
Hey thanks for all the info you guys I know my batteries will hold it then, just maybe not use the humidifier , I assume you just do not fill or put the tank in to not use the humidifier. And again thanks for all the info this is a great forum love all the good info I have gleamed from it.

On my unit, I can adjust or turn off the humidifier. I used it with my single AGM battery.

I find very little loss using the 100 watt inverter, but would use the 12-volt adapter if it is free.

I feel confident that you will have no problem running your CPAP machine with what you have. But the fact is just how much of your available AH do you now use? I will also add, if the AH available are questionable for a night orb two, I really doubt you will die if you do not use the CPAP machine for a few nights.

Don't think it is a good idea to say someone could go without a medical device.

[Reddog1]

PatrickA51 wrote:
I have humidifiers for my machines and do not use them. I was told that once I started using a humidifier I would never be able to stop.

Sometimes I use the humidifier and sometimes I do not. I really can't say I experience a difference either way.

[PatrickA51]

djg wrote:
Hey thanks for all the info you guys I know my batteries will hold it then, just maybe not use the humidifier , I assume you just do not fill or put the tank in to not use the humidifier. And again thanks for all the info this is a great forum love all the good info I have gleamed from it.

I have humidifiers for my machines and do not use them. I was told that once I started using a humidifier I would never be able to stop.

[Reddog1]

djg wrote:
Hey thanks for all the info you guys I know my batteries will hold it then, just maybe not use the humidifier , I assume you just do not fill or put the tank in to not use the humidifier. And again thanks for all the info this is a great forum love all the good info I have gleamed from it.

On my unit, I can adjust or turn off the humidifier. I used it with my single AGM battery.

I find very little loss using the 100 watt inverter, but would use the 12-volt adapter if it is free.

I feel confident that you will have no problem running your CPAP machine with what you have. But the fact is just how much of your available AH do you now use? I will also add, if the AH available are questionable for a night orb two, I really doubt you will die if you do not use the CPAP machine for a few nights.

[PatrickA51]

I my RV I have 6 6v 220ah battery's I have a 12v plug by the bed in the back of my RV. I us a 12v plug to run my Bi-Pap Machine off of. I have been on C-Pap/Bi-Pap since 2005. I have no problems what so ever with my machines. I always carry an extra machine with me if my machine in the RV takes a dump on me.

[Tiger4x4RV]

As to having enough power: My batteries (220 AHrs, 2 6V AGM's) charge only from the truck engine. No solar, no generator, no hookups 99 percent of the time.

Humidity is usually quite low where I camp, so I run the CPAP humidifier most of the time. My unit does not have a heated hose. You can fill the tank and turn the humidifier heater off so the air just blows over the water if you are seriously short of battery power.

Several times in SoCal winters with nights long and in the high 30's, I have gone 4 nights in a row without starting the truck and have not run the batteries down to below 60 percent. I rarely use the furnace. I minimize use of the water pump. No television. Reading lights are all LED. My priority for electricity is to dedicate it to the CPAP.

I have also taken several 10-day dry camp trips in the desert, moving every couple of days to charge the batteries. No problems.

I recently started taking a jump-start unit along for backup power if needed. Sometimes if I am worried about power, I just go for a drive.

I hope this helps. You may come to view your CPAP machine as another camping partner who needs to be fed and kept comfortable.

[djg]

Hey thanks for all the info you guys I know my batteries will hold it then, just maybe not use the humidifier , I assume you just do not fill or put the tank in to not use the humidifier. And again thanks for all the info this is a great forum love all the good info I have gleamed from it.

[djg]

Tiger4x4RV wrote:
If your CPAP machine has a unit-specific 12V cord available (CPAP.com is a great source of info on this), and if your TC has a 12V socket near the bed, you'll be fine. This is assuming that the batteries charge while you drive. The factory webpage for your TC says it has 12V outlets, but does not say where they are.

Another option, which I used early in my CPAP days, is a small plug-in inverter and then run the CPAP from that. My little inverter is a Duracell 150W.

If you do not have your CPAP yet, ask your provider for one that will run on 12V.

My provider says they will throw in an adapter that will come with a cigarette lighter and an aligator pos-neg hook up just wondering if I have enough battery power to run it and my truck does charge the batteries