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Old 02-21-2006, 09:35 PM   #1
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Does anyone on the forum use a sleep apnea machine?

My girlfried has been diagnosed with the ailment and brought home "the machine" tonight. My only concern is this........................we want to do 90% of our camping "off-grid". I have a great disdain for campgrounds with electricity, lights, showers, etc. So my reservations revolve around how to supply power for this thing. Of course I know I can use a battery and inverter..................but has anyone had any experience with that?
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Old 02-21-2006, 10:02 PM   #2
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Hi Chris,

This is NOT a crisis. There are MANY MANY folks on this forum using all kinds of breathing machines.

The first and most obvious is a generator, but that isn't always doable. BUT..they will jump in here soon and tell ya how they do do it!
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Old 02-21-2006, 10:04 PM   #3
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Oh Gina, I know it's no crisis. Just wondering if I'll need to carry more than one battery to power the thing on trips.
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Old 02-21-2006, 10:18 PM   #4
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I have a relative on one of those sleep machines. He misses alot of the family reunions due to no electricity at the campsite. I suggested a generator, but he says that generators are too noisy. How does a battery power one of those things? I will be watching this post and hoping to find an answer to Derek's delima.
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Old 02-21-2006, 10:23 PM   #5
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Just put an inverter on a battery and you can run A/C electrical items.
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Old 02-21-2006, 10:58 PM   #6
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I use a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine. I asked myself that same question as to how I'd get power to it since I also detest RV campgrounds in favor of boondocking. I guess I lucked out by getting a Respironics brand CPAP machine that can be powered by either AC or DC. I went online and found a medical distributor that sold the Respironics 12v fused power cord (caution, do not get a power cord at a place like Radio Shack). That was $26.00 delivered. I already had a Campbell/Hausfeld cordless air inflator and rechargeable 12v power pack (with 12v plug-in socket). Model #CC230001AV. It's good for 8 watts for 14 hours. I get a full night's sleep on one charge. The generator (or a wall plug) will charge it up for another night's sleep. I'm not sure what someone does with a CPAP machine that doesn't have the 12v option. My '94 Bigfoot currently does not have a 12v outlet. I would like to see how my two 12v on-board batteries do running the machine.

P.S. Gina can not have my Bigfoot!
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Old 02-21-2006, 11:24 PM   #7
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Cris,

It seems like the whole thing boils down to what exact machine do you have and how much power does it need. For example, a "Sleepstyle 604" I found drew 1.5-1.7 amp at 115 VAC but Ron's sounds like it uses somewhat less. That could make all the difference in the world as to how practical it would be to run off batteries.
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Old 02-22-2006, 01:08 AM   #8
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I have been using a CPAP for about 20 years.

When I was a Scoutmaster I use to take a little motorcycle battery with me. I canoed 50 miles down the Klamath River using the CPAP every night. I placed a little solar panel on my tent during the day and it kept the battery charged for a little over a week.

Now days I use either my Jumpit which lasts 2.5 days, so I only use it for two days with out a recharge.

Or I use the Casita house battery from the TV 12 volt outlet in the upper cabinet.

The new CPAP machines are so quiet, my wife can’t even hear it run a night.

If you have a specific question just ask. I hope this helps.
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Old 02-22-2006, 01:45 AM   #9
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I have been using a CPAP for about 8 years. In the Casita I keep having trouble where to put the machine. Just wondering where others put the machine. I usually sleep next to the window, since my wife gets up several times in the night.

Also what kind of machines do you all use?

Thanks,
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Old 02-22-2006, 08:09 AM   #10
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Thanks for all your responses. I'll have to call her and ask what machine she has. Of course I knew that would be important.............just didn't think of it last night. We are leaving on a trip for the Caribbean this Friday, so it's certainly not something which has to be addressed right now. I'm just a worry wart and wanted to find out. Keep sending info and I'll do my best to respond.
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Old 02-22-2006, 08:19 AM   #11
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I don't have first hand knowledge, but from reading other threads it was my sense that the basic machines were containable with different schemes such as second batteries, jump its, etc. When possible, shooting for a unit that's 12v ready saves the losses associated with inverters. However, what causes a serious drain on the batteries are the optional humidifiers.
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Old 02-22-2006, 12:38 PM   #12
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Thanks for all your input. Her machine is a ResMed S8 with a HumidAire 3i. It is 120v only and the maximum power usage is 20 watts. Sounds to me like a good 27 battery and an inverter.
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Old 02-22-2006, 12:56 PM   #13
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Cris,
Yep, at 20 watts and an 80% efficiency inverter, you'd be drawing a tad over 2 amps. With no other loads, that would last well over 3 nights. 50 watts of solar would make you independent of civilization.

Good news and have fun!
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Old 02-22-2006, 01:02 PM   #14
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Orrrrrrr............................I could charge the battery with a generator during the daytime when it would be a nuisance. (since solor chargers aren't very efficient "down in the trees".
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Old 02-22-2006, 06:41 PM   #15
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I have used a CPAP for the last 11.5 years. I spent all of 2004 and half of 2005 traveling over 80,000 miles all over the country with missionary work. My original CPAP machine finally quit after 10 years of use at just about the same time I started the 1.5 traveling mission. So I ordered a new CPAP from CPAP.com (right now selling for $296 - hard to believe considering that I paid $1300 for my first CPAP back in 1993.

I got the Puritan Bennett GoodKnight 420G unit. It is about the same of two video cassettes stacked on top of each other and weighs 1.5 pounds. It has a 12 volt DC plug right on the back of the unit. It draws 1.5 amps DC. So sleeping for 8 hours would draw about 12 amps of power from the battery. I believe the 12 volt DC cord is about $25 extra. They even sell a specific battery pack that powers the machine for 7 hours--but it cost $249; almost as much as the machine itself. They advertise this unit as perfect for travel by car, boat, or RV.

I put my CPAP in the side cabinet over the rear dinette (which we leave into a bed all the time) and run the 12 volt cord thru the cabinet over to the corner with the 12 volt plug. At night, I open the cabinet door, turn on the machine and drop the hose and mask down to where I am sleeping.

Hope this helps.
Doug Hounshell
Kanab, Utah
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Old 02-22-2006, 09:16 PM   #16
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Thanks for the info, Doug, but she already has purchased her machine. I'll just have to live with a Group 27 battery and inverter................and then charge with generator during the daytime. That'll keep us going indefinately, I think.
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Old 02-23-2006, 01:09 PM   #17
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Doug,

Thanks, I think that will help. I have looked at those CPAP machines and I also think they would work great.

Bill
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Old 03-01-2006, 11:55 AM   #18
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Hi, just came out of Big Bend NP in Tx and was on 12 volt and a 15 watt solar for three nites and th CPAP wprked great (didnt use the humidifier). Left this am with a 60% charge left on the deep cycle batt. Alistair
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Old 03-05-2006, 11:43 AM   #19
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I'm supposed to use a CPAP. I wanted to stay alert if we were driving route 66 2 yeasrs ago. I tried it the first trip out in the Oxygen. The water condensation ran down the walls, and soaked the edge of the bedding. I haven't used it since in O2 or much even at home. I now use a night guard that shifts my jaw enough that i don't usually snore.It packs way easier and any ,isture problems are the tt 's own.
Jean
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Old 03-09-2006, 01:40 PM   #20
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Elsie and I both use machines (without the warmers) at night. We are still searching out the lower priced but best RV camps and parks for overnight and weekend camping. Just a note here: the very lowest has been 7 Feathers Casino in Canyonville, at $14 and 16 and is very nice and convenient, since they have shuttle available every few minutes to casino door for good food, beverage, or to play a bit. They are building a new 200 unit park at present.
We would like to get off grid to some favorite fishing this summer and I hope to go with 2 batteries and solar. (if the sun and summer ever arrive!) I have worked out a plan with cost under $1k but hate to invest now when solar and battery is advancing so rapidly in better, cheaper, simpler technology.
We have used the smallest solar panel once, in central OR for 3 nights successfully for 1 machine, so it can work, but that was bright sunny days!
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