Lost power supply while moving

[Dadof5]

I lost my respironics series M power supply and cord while we were moving. Does anyone know of an alternate power cord I can pick up at Walmart/radio shack that can be used? Thanks

[6PtStar]

The power cord is the same as on a laptop computer but the power brick is another thing. Don't know of anything that will work for that. You might rig up a cable from Radio Shack and run it off a 12 volt car battery until you can get a replacement or find the one you lost.

Jerry

[archangle]

Warning: If you get the polarity backwards, you may destroy your CPAP. (Polarity is which side is plus and minus.)

The connector on Respironics CPAPs is a 2.5 mm ID, 5.5 mm OD barrel connectors. The tip is positive. This is also referred to as a “size N coaxial DC power connector.”

Tip/center conductor/pin = positive.
Barrel/outer conductor = negative.

GumbyCT uses one of these from Radio Shack to plug into a 12V cigarette lighter plug on a jumpstarter battery: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=3802147

You also need a "Size N Adaptaplug" connector. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... id=prod_cs

As I said, you have to get the polarity correct. The adaptaplug plugs in one of two ways. One is the right way, the other is reversed polarity and may damage your machine. Figure out the correct polarity before connecting it up.

Radio Shack may have a similar gadget that plugs directly into the wall, but be sure it's providing 12VDC, can do 5 amps or so, and you get the polarity correct. I didn't see anything right in their catalog, but I didn't look too hard. I'd be a little worried that a cheap power supply like that might fry my CPAP some night.

If you buy the cigarette plug thing, now you need 12V power. You can use one of those jump starter batteries. You have to be sure it will run the CPAP through the night, and charge fast enough to get charged during the day. Gumby reports this one works OK for him. http://www.sears.com/diehard-platinum-p ... 871988000P Cheaper units will work as well if the battery and charge capacity is high enough.

You can also hook up to a car battery or marine battery. You'll need an alligator clip to cigarette plug adapter. Get one with a fuse in the alligator clip leads. If you want to buy a battery so you have a long term backup supply, be sure to buy a deep cycle battery, not a marine starting or dual purpose marine battery.

I wouldn't recommend you run the CPAP off the battery with a battery charger connected, although it's probably OK with some chargers.

There are two flavors of M series humidifiers. One has a cord that comes off the back of the humidifier and goes to the power brick, and there's a separate power cord for the blower. The newer models only have one cord coming from the power brick. The two cord version won't run the humidifier off of DC.

Once again, be sure to get the polarity right.