need a power source for CPAP machine out camping...

Mongo

Mongo

Joined
Nov 5, 2001
Messages
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Howdy all, title says it all. I use a CPAP machine when I sleep. The annual river trip is coming up, and I wonder if there is some way I can take my machine with me so I, and everyone else, can get a good night's sleep.

What kind of gadgets and gizmos are out there that can power it for 5-8 hrs?


Thanks in advance,
Mongo
 
You need an inverter that can handle the start up load for your machine. If you have one of the newer Respironics machines your DME supplier should be able to give you the clips that go one a 12 volt battery and convert it to AC for your machine. If you have a Fisher Pykel you need to read your manual and buy the inverter that meets your machines requirements. You can get ones that clip onto your battery or plug into the cigarette lighter.

I have an inverter and it works well, at least through the cigarette lighter. We haven't tried to use it out truely camping yet. I got it at the local auto parts store (O'Reilley's). Dont cheap out on your inverter - your life could depend upon it.
 
It will depend entirely on your machine. In a quick google, I found some with power consumptions in the 25W range and others in the 300W range. They are apparently all over the board. That some are not overly efficient didn't surprise me as they are intended to be "mains powered," so the designers don't have incentive to hammer out every Watt.

Some units are available with built-in batteries that can run all night without mains power. You can recharge them during the day using a generator.

If your unit doesn't have that and if buying a second unit with that feature is out-of-the-question (they are expensive), then an inverter may be an option, but a 300W load will draw down a battery very fast. So, look at your unit and find out its power requirements. That information should be in the manual (if might be on the unit itself). Otherwise, get one of those plug-in power meter things and measure it.
 
I am in the same boat and have looked for years at a method to not carry a 12v car battery and an inverter. I ended up using a mouthguard instead. No weight, more mobile and keeps about 75% of the snoring down. True it does not work as well as my CPAP at eliminateing sleep apnea. However, it does a decent enough job for short trips. I have even considered using it over my machine when I travel for business just due to the pain with traveling through airport security with one.

If you are car camping, get the battery and the inverter. Backpacking, find a sherpa or go with the mouthguard. (custom made by my dentist)
 
I just got this Goal Zero setup for evaluation and have been impressed with it so far. It's crammed full of a bunch of lithium batteries, so the energy density is high and the weight isn't that bad. Even if your CPAP is draining the crap out of the battery, the solar panel can recharge it during the day.
 
Gollnick said:
It will depend entirely on your machine. In a quick google, I found some with power consumptions in the 25W range and others in the 300W range. They are apparently all over the board. That some are not overly efficient didn't surprise me as they are intended to be "mains powered," so the designers don't have incentive to hammer out every Watt.
Click to expand...

If you have the heated tube so you don't "rain out" at night, you're going to hit the battery pretty hard.
 
Mongo said:
Howdy all, title says it all. I use a CPAP machine when I sleep. The annual river trip is coming up, and I wonder if there is some way I can take my machine with me so I, and everyone else, can get a good night's sleep.

What kind of gadgets and gizmos are out there that can power it for 5-8 hrs?


Thanks in advance,
Mongo
Click to expand...

http://www.generac.com/Portables/iX/iX_Series/

or the Honda equivalent is what you want.
 
if you decide on the inverter generator option the Honda EU2000i (online at about $900) is probably considered the top of the line... there is a pretty good discussion on the ar15.com board about inverter generators and clones...
 
The problem with using a generator is that one of his goals in bringing the CPAP machine along is to save his tentmates from his snoring and adding a generator sort of negates that benefit. Even generators billed as "super quiet" will keep you awake at night.

I'm still hopeful that of he can provide the power requirement of his specific machine, we can come up with a better solution.
 
There's the BioLite CampStove, but then again, you may have to get up to fuel it every now and then. Anyways, hope you find what you're looking for!
 
I just bought a CPAP battery last year. My hunting buddies insisted. The model I got cost about $400 and last for three nights, that's a lot to pay I sleep much better now while camping.

Scott
 
Gollnick said:
The problem with using a generator is that one of his goals in bringing the CPAP machine along is to save his tentmates from his snoring and adding a generator sort of negates that benefit. Even generators billed as "super quiet" will keep you awake at night.

I'm still hopeful that of he can provide the power requirement of his specific machine, we can come up with a better solution.
Click to expand...

Have you ever been around an inverter generator for electronics? The Honda can run beside the picnic table and you can still carry on a normal conversation. We're not talking about one of the loud imports from China.
 
Get a good generator like mentioned, they are quiet and you want one that is reliable because your life depends on it. Never underestimate the possibilities of uses for generators on a camping trip. I used to do allot of canoe camping. We used electric trolling motors to reduce the amount of paddling, coffee makers, TV sets, space heaters- great for drying out sleeping bags and heating tents, even the electric fying pan although we prefer the cast iron pan cooking over the fire. Battery charging too, we never had camcorder batteries run out, and electric cooler kept our fresh food much longer without the need for so many ice packs....Generators:thumbup:

Even though good generators are quiet, a 100 foot extension cord elliminates any noise with the generator deep in the bush. Don't forget the gas, extra spark plugs and basic tools.
 
RWT said:
I am in the same boat and have looked for years at a method to not carry a 12v car battery and an inverter. I ended up using a mouthguard instead. No weight, more mobile and keeps about 75% of the snoring down. True it does not work as well as my CPAP at eliminateing sleep apnea. However, it does a decent enough job for short trips. I have even considered using it over my machine when I travel for business just due to the pain with traveling through airport security with one.

If you are car camping, get the battery and the inverter. Backpacking, find a sherpa or go with the mouthguard. (custom made by my dentist)
Click to expand...

Mouth appliances do nothing for central apneas (brain triggered cessation of breathing) and are only effective for some obstructive airway sleep maladies.
 
Les Snyder said:
if you decide on the inverter generator option the Honda EU2000i (online at about $900) is probably considered the top of the line... there is a pretty good discussion on the ar15.com board about inverter generators and clones...
Click to expand...

Gollnick said:
The problem with using a generator is that one of his goals in bringing the CPAP machine along is to save his tentmates from his snoring and adding a generator sort of negates that benefit. Even generators billed as "super quiet" will keep you awake at night.

I'm still hopeful that of he can provide the power requirement of his specific machine, we can come up with a better solution.
Click to expand...

Sid Post said:
Have you ever been around an inverter generator for electronics? The Honda can run beside the picnic table and you can still carry on a normal conversation. We're not talking about one of the loud imports from China.
Click to expand...

I have used these generators before, specifically the Honda EU2000i. They are extremely quiet. As suggested, a long extension cord will help mitigate noise. They will run 6hrs on a tank of gas and are quite portable. Such a generator would have multiple other uses around camp, so the higher price tag can be more easily justified.
 
Mongo said:
Howdy all, title says it all. I use a CPAP machine when I sleep. The annual river trip is coming up, and I wonder if there is some way I can take my machine with me so I, and everyone else, can get a good night's sleep.

What kind of gadgets and gizmos are out there that can power it for 5-8 hrs?


Thanks in advance,
Mongo
Click to expand...

I've had a CPAP for close to 15 years now and finally found a good option for camping and battery backup. There was some cost involved, but I can charge it via solar, meaning I can go out on extended trips (I love it). Here's a video I posted about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TLDKqjQS6E
 
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