Running a CPAP Without Power Nearby

[lncoop]

My brother and I are going camping and fishing this winter. It's a rare opportunity because of families, scheduling, etc. and I want to be sure he has a good time. He normally sleeps with a CPAP machine, but we'll be primitive camping with no power source nearby. I have no idea what the power demand is for one of those monsters. Do you guys think a deep cycle battery and inverter would be sufficient to power it for a couple of nights? Really don't want to buy a generator if I can help it because it wouldn't get much use.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Running a CPAP Without Power Nearby

They typically draw about 1 A. at 110 V. if that helps at all....

 

[sasto]

Re: Running a CPAP Without Power Nearby

I ran into this situation once while at anchor and the gen set quit on me.

Let's see if my memory is correct. I believe they draw 1A as Tim stated, but 3A DC. 12V X 3A =36 watts per hour X 8hrs = 288 watt hrs.

Your going to need about 150 amps of battery. Think your going to need 2 batteries.

Don't rely on my memory, lncoop, you know better

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Running a CPAP Without Power Nearby

Hey Incoop,

If your brother is dependant upon CPAP, You can't take any chances. A small Honda generator to a battery charger to a deep cycle would be the way to go. The reason I specified Honda for the generator is because they're reliable and quiet (more quiet than a CPAP).

When one lives with COPD and or Sleep Apnea, just the peace of mind knowing that contingencies are there, may mean the difference between a great time and let's just say... otherwise.

Your brother is obviously well worth the trouble and expense. Just think of how he'll feel knowing the thought, caring and effort you've made for his health, well being, comfort, and enjoyment.

Have a great time!!!

 

[cribber]

Re: Running a CPAP Without Power Nearby

Check this article out... it's a few years old but it may help you in deciding on your options.
http://www.cpap-supply.com/Articles.asp?ID=146
Hope you can work out the logistics of have fun camping with your brother!!!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Running a CPAP Without Power Nearby

My folks use a CPAP, no problem connecting them to battery. My folks' however can connect direct to 12v, and it saves loss of power from the inverter. Can his do that?

KRS

Not sure. I emailed him some questions; manufacturer, model number, etc. I'll get to the bottom of it. Always do. Thanks guys. Y'all are the cats.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Running a CPAP Without Power Nearby

Send a PM to yorkboater. He's got a battery powered one and it worked great when we were camping. He managed to convince insurance to pay for the thing too

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Running a CPAP Without Power Nearby

If it draws 3A at 12V, its only going to draw 24AH assuming 8 hours sleep. Shouldn't be a problem with a deep discharge battery. Your only problem is going to be charging the battery back up for the following night.

If its as high as 10A, you are going to need a lot bigger battery than a standard 27 series marine deep discharge battery

 

[ehenry]

Re: Running a CPAP Without Power Nearby

veritas has the idea. Bite the bullet and get you a Honday EU2000. I have one. Its super quiet, uses a 1.10 gallons in 13 to 14 hours and you'll be amazed at what it will run. Only weighs 40 lbs. They are a little pricey but WELL worth the money.

With the EU2000 you wont need a battery. Just plug straight in to the generator.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Running a CPAP Without Power Nearby

I have a better idea. Rent a Honda 1000 for the weekend.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Running a CPAP Without Power Nearby

People using CPAP seldom get 8 hours sleep, as you can only sleep 5 hours max before your throat is completely parched from dryness. CPAP'ers often rip them off in their sleep. Many fall asleep before they put their headsets/masks on, and don't use them 7 nights per week.

Most people on CPAP can do without them for a night or two--unless they have an especially severe case of apnea.

If he decides not to use CPAP, be sure to bring a good headset for yourself--the kind used at gun ranges. Fact: Just about every adult male that is not skinny and snores loudly needs a CPAP machine. The user has much more energy, especially in the middle of the afternoon.

I use a CPAP machine most nights, and I sleep much better and feel much stronger with it. I can certainly do without it, however. I still have sleepy times, especially @ 10:45 every Sunday morning--when it's time for the preacher's sermon.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Running a CPAP Without Power Nearby

Friend of mine uses a deep cycle and invertor. He can get 2 nights out of the battery before recharging with his unit. He uses it more for us than for him ... when he doesn't have the battery back up we all make sure we are asleep BEFORE he goes to bed!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Running a CPAP Without Power Nearby

Cool, thanks Art. That's what I'm leaning toward. Just have to be sure all the components get along with each other. He'll be sleeping in my small tent 100 yards away.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Running a CPAP Without Power Nearby

you can rent a gen for a weekend

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Running a CPAP Without Power Nearby

The people he sleeps with can tell you who will need the standby power more. Him or you.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Running a CPAP Without Power Nearby

The people he sleeps with can tell you who will need the standby power more. Him or you.

I've slept near him enough to know that without the machine he really will have to sleep in a tent by himself far far away. I guess if push comes to shove maybe we can borrow some headphones from the baggage handlers at the airport.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Running a CPAP Without Power Nearby

My wife is frightening at times. So we now sleep in seperate rooms. Simple ?
Maybe.
I can still hear her gasps as she nears the suffacation point during no breathing. She refuses to admit it is serious.

No one can ever help someone who refuses to accept any condition.

I wander from helping people, that want to be helped.

Offer the power equipment if they want it, but can not afford it themselves.
You have reached out to help as much as is reasonable.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Running a CPAP Without Power Nearby

He uses one at home but was perfectly willing to do without at camp. It was my idea to devise a way to power it so he could get some sleep. Hard to have a good time when you can't keep your eyes open, and he'll have seven hours of driving ahead of him at the end. I talked to someone very helpful at the manufacturer (Paykel Fisher) and was able to confirm that a 12v deep cycle and inverter is the way to go and operating the machine in an ambient temp below the recommended range will not harm it. Now I just have to call back and ask whether the converter needs to produce pure SINE waves. Knew I was forgetting something. D'oh!