CPAP or BIPAP Machine while boondocking.

[MikeSandyZ]

Does anyone have any power suggestions for running a cpap machine overnight without using the trailer’s power? We are newbies and I am not supposed to sleep EVER without my machine - what to do???
Thanks, Sandy

[pteck]

Hi Sandy,

I'm with a camping group and a few people there use CPAPs. They all use some variant of a large portable batter. Often referred to as a "solar generator" as they can be charged any number of ways including solar panels.

There's many on the market from major brands like Goal Zero and others. In many sizes and shapes.

I'd encourage you to research how much energy your CPAP will use a night. And size the battery to accommodate at least 2-3x nights without charging so you have some safety reserve.

Some of these can also be setup to charge from solar you may have installed on your Airstream roof like I have done here - http://www.airforums.com/forums/f37/...um-196422.html

[Ephraim]

I use a CPAP machine. The machine actually runs off of 12V, but has a power adaptor for 115V. You can buy a 12V cable for most machines that will plug into a cigarette lighter socket.

On mine, I installed an Anderson power pole connector near my side of the bed that has 12V on it and then simply put an Anderson connector inline on the 12V side of the power adaptor. When near 115 volts, I plug the two halves together and use the adaptor. When in the AS, I just unplug the connector on the cord and plug straight into the AS.

You can also get an adaptor to use a Dewalt 20V Battery pack as a 12V source off of Amazon.

[SandKSmith]

I’ll second that. I integrated a Goal Zero Yeti 1400 into my 120V circuits much like pteck did. Easy 1500 watts wall outlet power w/o big batteries, big cables, and an inverter is fantastic. The Yeti and a transfer switch is all that is needed. At the same time, make sure it meets your power needs. I haven’t figured out how to add a link here but you can find his work by searching for the word “affordable” in the forum. By the way, ptech, thanks for sharing your idea.
Steve

[uncle_bob]

Hi

How much current will be a "that depends" based on which machine you have and how it's set up. 3A is not an unusual number at 12V. If it runs for 8 hours, that will be 24AH. Current wise a splice into a lighting circuit probably will handle that without much trouble.

It's up to you as far as upgrading the batteries on the trailer vs spending the same money on a stand alone gizmo.

Bob

[Ephraim]

Originally Posted by SandKSmith

I’ll second that. I integrated a Goal Zero Yeti 1400 into my 120V circuits much like pteck did. Easy 1500 watts wall outlet power w/o big batteries, big cables, and an inverter is fantastic. The Yeti and a transfer switch is all that is needed. At the same time, make sure it meets your power needs. I haven’t figured out how to add a link here but you can find his work by searching for the word “affordable” in the forum. By the way, ptech, thanks for sharing your idea.
Steve

Yikes! Why a $1700 dollar unit that simply duplicates what you already have in your AS? The AS runs on 12V already. Just use a $20 Anderson Power Pole Panel that taps into the AS 12V system and then $1 worth of Anderson Power poles to create a power plug for your CPAP. You don't even have to chop up your existing power supply plugs. Just find one off of an old wall-wart power supply that fits and use it.

If you are using the 12V side of things, the CPAPs do not draw much power at all and there is no problem using the AS power.

[SilverWind]

When boondocking, my Goal Zero Yeti 400 Lithium can be charged on an AC outlet powered by my 2017 Airstream's 1000 watt inverter, the DC port on my RAM 2500 or the AC Port own my RAM 2500, when driving.

My two six volt trailer batteries are charged by 500 watts of roof top solar. You can also purchase a Goal Zero solar panel with it's proprietary charge controller that will charge the Yeti.

[Caffeinated]

I use this. It works great. https://www.expion360.com/exp-38pro-...ndheld-battery

Mike

[MikeSandyZ]

Thanks to all (as of now and any in the future)...I so appreciate it!
Regards, Sandy

[Bill M.]

My old CPAP ran on 12 volts from a transformer and my new one runs on 24 volts from a transformer. I bought a 12 volt cord for the old one and ran it from the trailer 12 volt system. I bought a 12 volt to 24 volt converter for the new one. I also have run both machines using a cheap 12 volt to 110 inverter from an auto supply house. Lots of ways to run it. Be sure to try it on 12 volts one night while you are still hooked to 110 and have that as an alternate. I burned out the factory 12 volt outlet by my bed. The replacement I put in has lasted 12 years now.

I do turn off the heaters in the CPAP when running on battery power. I carry a generator to recharge the batteries when needed. I do not know the actual current draw of the new unit. But I think it is 5 amps or so with the converter. Going to do some measurements. I do know that it draws more than my older 12 volt unit did.

I looked at the new small lithium travel batteries for the CPAP. At $500 for maybe one night they are too expensive for my present use. But if you have to have it every night and travel on planes and in cars you might want one of those as an emergency supply.

We camped without power for 14 days at one spot and for a week each at some other spots. I ran the generator nearly every day for a couple of hours to keep charged. If you hate generators them you might look at the lithium power packs and solar charger.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by SilverWind

When boondocking, my Goal Zero Yeti 400 Lithium can be charged on an AC outlet powered by my 2017 Airstream's 1000 watt inverter,.......

Hi

Given the inefficiencies involved that's the last way you would want to do it when off grid..... Indeed, charging any battery from another battery is a problem in this regard. Fine in an emergency, but not something that is ideal from an energy use perspective.

Bob

[Caffeinated]

Originally Posted by Bill M.

I looked at the new small lithium travel batteries for the CPAP. At $500 for maybe one night they are too expensive for my present use. But if you have to have it every night and travel on planes and in cars you might want one of those as an emergency supply.

The Expion unit costs $300.00, and last four nights without charging if I turn off my humidifier, on my Phillips Dream station. Charging is done from the truck while driving, takes a few hours. I’m very happy with this unit.

Mike

[DavidsonOverlander]

I know it's not for everyone, but about 10 years ago I had jaw advancement surgery which cured my sleep apnea. I couldn't get used to sleeping with a CPAP machine and even if I could have made it work, I also couldn't see myself going through life constantly worried about the effects of not having a machine available when travelling. It was a good solution for me.

[Espresso2go]

There are a number of options based on the type of CPAP. I use the Resmed 10, but it works for other brands also:
MAXOAK CPAP Battery Backup CPAP Power Bank for Airsense 10 Resmed S9 Philip REMstar System one 60 50 Dreamstation Z1 Aircurve Transcend Mini Travel Camping Emergency Power DC12/15/24V&USB5V ($300 on Amazon)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[PJ3718]

I use a Jump starter that has a 110 AC inverter. It will work for 2 or three nights with out recharging.

[urnmor]

I also use a CPAP machine. If I am not dry camping I just use the normal outlet. If dry camping I still plug it in and run off the batteries and never had an issue. I do have solar and also generators that I use doing the day to recharge the batteries

[Tschupp]

My husband was using a Chafon Lithium battery(he got on Amazon). After adding some solar he now plugs into an inverter that plugs into 12V system. It charges during day and powers the CPAP as well as our electric blanket when it’s needed. Happy travels!

[rocco52]

Originally Posted by Ephraim

Yikes! Why a $1700 dollar unit that simply duplicates what you already have in your AS? The AS runs on 12V already. Just use a $20 Anderson Power Pole Panel that taps into the AS 12V system and then $1 worth of Anderson Power poles to create a power plug for your CPAP. You don't even have to chop up your existing power supply plugs. Just find one off of an old wall-wart power supply that fits and use it.

If you are using the 12V side of things, the CPAPs do not draw much power at all and there is no problem using the AS power.

I second that. I installed a DC power plug on both sides of the bed. My wife and I both have CPAP machines and we run them all night long off of the trailer batteries with no problems even while using the furnace.

[doctorlewis]

I agree with many of the other posters. I got a 12v adapter for my CPAP machine and just plug into the regular 12v outlet between my twin bed AS and this has always worked well and does not seem to affect the charge of the batteries at all.

[Jacob D]

Whether boondocking or tent camping I use a 12V lawnmower battery and an inexpensive portable solar battery charger from Northern Tool. The charged battery is good for at least 2 nights and recharges in a few hours of sunlight. I empty the water and turn off the heat in the CPAP of course.