Cpap Machine and Battery Charger

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
guitarflorida
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Cpap Machine and Battery Charger

Post by guitarflorida » Mon Dec 22, 2014 6:20 am

I own a Schumacher 6 in 1 battery charger/power supply. Will it power my Remstar 60 Systen One overnight?
We have occasional power failures They last one day at most. Thanks.

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CapnLoki
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Location: North East

Re: Cpap Machine and Battery Charger

Post by CapnLoki » Mon Dec 22, 2014 7:00 am

guitarflorida wrote:I own a Schumacher 6 in 1 battery charger/power supply. Will it power my Remstar 60 Systen One overnight?
We have occasional power failures They last one day at most. Thanks.
Probably. You have a good chance of success if you use the 12V cable (about $25) instead of the A/C inverter outlet, and turn off humidity and heated hose.

I wasn't able to find the battery size of this unit, but its probably about 20 AmpHours, and may be as low as 10. My 560 pump uses 4 Ah a night at pressure 9, but that would almost double with an inverter, and easily double again with humidity/heated hose. With these batteries you would like a 50% safety margin, and you definitely want to avoid total discharge. So the answer is a "definite maybe."

_________________
Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: Quattro™ Air Full Face Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Pressure 9-20, average ~9.5; often use battery power while off-grid
Hark, how hard he fetches breath . . .  Act II, Scene IV, King Henry IV Part I, William Shakespeare
Choosing a Battery thread: http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t1140 ... ttery.html

guitarflorida
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Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2014 6:02 am

Re: Cpap Machine and Battery Charger

Post by guitarflorida » Tue Dec 23, 2014 6:04 am

Ok..thanks. Any suggestions about what I should use? The cheaper the better.

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GoneFishin
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Re: Cpap Machine and Battery Charger

Post by GoneFishin » Tue Dec 23, 2014 7:08 am

guitarflorida wrote:Ok..thanks. Any suggestions about what I should use? The cheaper the better.
I say try what you have to see if it meets your needs. But do try it at home before the power goes out.

Searching this forum you will find plenty of ideas and debates about batteries. Many here use the Sears 1150 jumpstarter with good success. Keeping both your old and a new one charged and ready to go would be a good idea.

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CapnLoki
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Re: Cpap Machine and Battery Charger

Post by CapnLoki » Tue Dec 23, 2014 7:48 am

guitarflorida wrote:Ok..thanks. Any suggestions about what I should use? The cheaper the better.
You already have the "cheap" solution. You should assess your needs: do you use high pressure? do you require humidity? do you want automatic "rollover" to the backup system?

If you want to check out your jump starter, you could try to open it and look for an "Amp-Hour" rating on the battery. Most of these systems are designed to be able to replace that battery. If its around 20, then it probably is good for one night or possible two. If its closer to 10 Amphours, then it depends on your settings.

Check out this page for my usage report:
viewtopic.php?t=102179

Components of my current setup copied from a recent post, with a few edits:

Battery: $60
EDIT: As of 8/2015 the MotoBatt is not available at this price. Try:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IIZ0IS8 or look for "U1 AGM Battery"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N414YMC/
Although it says "pair" its only one. AGM is leakproof and safe for the bedroom - think of all the folks using scooters in the retirement homes. It big enough to run with humidity for a night, or up to a week with no humidity. Maybe three nights if you turn off the heated hose and turn down humidity. There are a wide variety of smaller and larger batteries, but the U1 size seems to be a "sweet spot" for our needs and is relatively cheap and not too heavy to lug around. Should be available at local scooter shops. This particular battery was chosen because of the $10 discount code!

Charger: $50
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00068XCQU
This is the medium power tender - if you only need short term (i.e. occasional partial nights) the Junior version will do, and there is a "big" for fast charging or larger batteries. 10 year guarantee, can run 24/7, will not overcharge.

EDIT: Here's the link to the manufacturor's site so you can see what's included:
http://www.batterytender.com/Dion/Batte ... -Plus.html

Cables:
The Battery Tender comes with almost everything including fuses (get spares), but you'll need a "cigarette lighter socket" (or maybe two)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041CDPQO $9
If you want to charge while using (UPS mode) and/or add on a cell phone charger or second socket, you want a splitter:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003L643KS $5

Case: $20
Prevent accidental shorts (if the terminals are shorted it will pass several hundred Amps!):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006RKCO3I

Total cost is under $150 for a 35 Amp-Hour system. The only assembly is bolting the color coded ring connectors to the battery (bolts are included). The quick connectors are "idiot proof" once you figure it out. I normally don't run off the battery, but if a storm is threatening I can simply plug in my 12V cord. I can leave it charging (UPS mode), or unplug the charger to be isolated from surges.

You could save with the smaller charger or a cheaper case. You can get more power for a few bucks extra with a deep cycle "marine" battery (up to 100 AmpHours for $80) but the smaller AGM battery is totally safe in the bedroom. You can also use this setup to keep several batteries charged (one at a time), depending on your needs. And with jumper cables you can start a car.

If you have Respironics get the 12V cord ($25); if its Resmed get the 12/24 converter ($85). Use an inverter only as a last resort, since they are only about 60% efficient.

_________________
Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: Quattro™ Air Full Face Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Pressure 9-20, average ~9.5; often use battery power while off-grid
Last edited by CapnLoki on Sun Jul 03, 2016 10:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
Hark, how hard he fetches breath . . .  Act II, Scene IV, King Henry IV Part I, William Shakespeare
Choosing a Battery thread: http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t1140 ... ttery.html

EagleJim471
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Re: Cpap Machine and Battery Charger

Post by EagleJim471 » Thu Mar 31, 2016 1:57 pm

CapnLoki,

I do quite a bit of camping with the Boy Scouts and am new to my CPAP (as in I have only been on it for 2 nights so far). I have a ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset w Humidifier. I am not using any of the heated tubing, just the tubing that came standard with the machine. I do not want to pay $500 or more for the ResMed battery. I have been looking at a Schumacher SJ1 upon the recommendation of a friend with an older CPAP. However, I have never been a good decipherer of electrical speak, and the specs on the AirSense don't easily translate to the specs on the SJ1 for me. I am hoping someone can tell me if this would be an ample portable power source for my CPAP. All I need is a day or two of charge. When I camp longer times, it is almost always near an electrical source.

Specs from ResMed
90W power supply unit
AC input range:100 – 240V, 50 – 60Hz 1.0 –1.5 A, Class II
115V, 400Hz 1.5A, Class II (nominal for aircraft use)
DC output: 24V 3.75A
Typical power consumption:
53W (57VA)
Peak power consumption:
104W (108VA

Specs for Shumacher SJ1
Peak Amps: 1200A
DC Power Outlet: 12V | 15A
AC Power Outlet: 120V | 1.7A
UBS Ports: 2A PER SIDE | 4A TOTAL
Converter: 120V, 60Hz; 200W continuous/400W peak
Coverter AC waveform: Modified sine wave

So, can I use this device safely for 1 or 2 nights? Should I go ahead and purchase the DC/DC converter from ResMed, and use the DC outlet, or am I just as well off using the standard 90W power supply with the AC power outlet? I would appreciate any advice you can provide. Thanks in advance.

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acbaldwi
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Re: Cpap Machine and Battery Charger

Post by acbaldwi » Mon Mar 19, 2018 9:51 pm

Hey Capn,

You described using it as a UPS mode where the cpap machine stays on the battery all the time and the battery is always plugged into the wall,

Can you describe how that would function? Interested in setting this up after my 10 hour power outage last night

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Julie
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Re: Cpap Machine and Battery Charger

Post by Julie » Tue Mar 20, 2018 5:38 am

You're talking to a 2 yr old post...

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CapnLoki
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Re: Cpap Machine and Battery Charger

Post by CapnLoki » Tue Mar 20, 2018 6:00 am

Julie wrote:
Tue Mar 20, 2018 5:38 am
You're talking to a 2 yr old post...
No problem - I'm still here, and I try to write posts that are still relevant two years later.

_________________
Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: Quattro™ Air Full Face Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Pressure 9-20, average ~9.5; often use battery power while off-grid
Hark, how hard he fetches breath . . .  Act II, Scene IV, King Henry IV Part I, William Shakespeare
Choosing a Battery thread: http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t1140 ... ttery.html

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CapnLoki
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Location: North East

Re: Cpap Machine and Battery Charger

Post by CapnLoki » Tue Mar 20, 2018 6:33 am

acbaldwi wrote:
Mon Mar 19, 2018 9:51 pm
Hey Capn,

You described using it as a UPS mode where the cpap machine stays on the battery all the time and the battery is always plugged into the wall,

Can you describe how that would function? Interested in setting this up after my 10 hour power outage last night
The cables that come with the BatteryTender have a "one plug, one socket" connector between the charger and the battery. To use with a cpap you unplug the charger and plug in a "cigarette lighter" socket that can accept the 12V power cord from Respironics or the 12V converter from ResMed:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041CDPQO
The trick is to add in a "1 to 5 splitter"
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003L643KS
that allows you to keep the charger connected at the same time as the cigarette socket. The "1" side connects to the battery, the "5" side to the charger and the cpap. You can add a few other items, such as a cell phone charger. With this setup, the charger will charge the battery and provide some power to the cpap when the AC power is up. If there's power failure, the battery will automatically power the cpap. This is essentially UPS mode.

What I don't like about this setup is that the charger doesn't provide enough power to fully supply a cpap with humidifier and heated hose, so the battery gets partially cycled every day, which reduces its life. Given that backup systems are often "set it and forget it," cycling the battery 365 times a year doesn't feel good. I try to charge every month or two, and leave it in UPS when there's a storm with a potential outage.

_________________
Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: Quattro™ Air Full Face Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Pressure 9-20, average ~9.5; often use battery power while off-grid
Hark, how hard he fetches breath . . .  Act II, Scene IV, King Henry IV Part I, William Shakespeare
Choosing a Battery thread: http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t1140 ... ttery.html

Jemidar
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Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2018 4:30 pm

Re: Cpap Machine and Battery Charger

Post by Jemidar » Mon Jun 11, 2018 4:33 pm

Do you think this charger: https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-0 ... ry+Charger would get around this problem of not having enough amperage to run the cpap machine while still using the "UPS" setup and not constantly cycling the battery?

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CapnLoki
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Location: North East

Re: Cpap Machine and Battery Charger

Post by CapnLoki » Mon Jun 11, 2018 7:42 pm

Jemidar wrote:
Mon Jun 11, 2018 4:33 pm
Do you think this charger: https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-0 ... ry+Charger would get around this problem of not having enough amperage to run the cpap machine while still using the "UPS" setup and not constantly cycling the battery?
I'd give it a qualified yes. There should be plenty of power to run, although the highest humidifier/heated hose settings will draw more than 5 amps at times. There shouldn't be a problem running the 12 volt pump from the slightly higher voltage of the charger but If it were me, I'd be testing the voltage frequently the first few days to make sure it doesn't run too high. Its odd, I have lots of gear that gets hit with 15 volts during the day when solar or alternators are running, but I'm a bit protective of the cpap and make sure its unplugged at sunrise.

_________________
Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: Quattro™ Air Full Face Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Pressure 9-20, average ~9.5; often use battery power while off-grid
Hark, how hard he fetches breath . . .  Act II, Scene IV, King Henry IV Part I, William Shakespeare
Choosing a Battery thread: http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t1140 ... ttery.html

Jemidar
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2018 4:30 pm

Re: Cpap Machine and Battery Charger

Post by Jemidar » Tue Jun 12, 2018 10:06 am

CapnLoki wrote:
Mon Jun 11, 2018 7:42 pm
Jemidar wrote:
Mon Jun 11, 2018 4:33 pm
Do you think this charger: https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-0 ... ry+Charger would get around this problem of not having enough amperage to run the cpap machine while still using the "UPS" setup and not constantly cycling the battery?
I'd give it a qualified yes. There should be plenty of power to run, although the highest humidifier/heated hose settings will draw more than 5 amps at times. There shouldn't be a problem running the 12 volt pump from the slightly higher voltage of the charger but If it were me, I'd be testing the voltage frequently the first few days to make sure it doesn't run too high. Its odd, I have lots of gear that gets hit with 15 volts during the day when solar or alternators are running, but I'm a bit protective of the cpap and make sure its unplugged at sunrise.
Thank you for the quick response! Nothing like waking up suffocating in the middle of the night because the power went out. Ended up spending the rest of the night without sleep. I really appreciate all the the information you have shared here and I am trying to replicate "UPS" setup so that I don't have to experience this again.

alancalan
Posts: 73
Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2006 4:27 am

Re: Cpap Machine and Battery Charger

Post by alancalan » Tue Jul 17, 2018 11:29 am

Ok, I want a battery for the house that will last 10 days and charge my phones. I will never go camping or sleep on a small boat. I have an s9 v auto and I never use the humidifier unless I have to go up to NY in the winter and even then I try not to bother with it. I can get a new machine now but I am thinking of waiting for a s11 auto vpap which will probably be even better on energy usage. Any idea when that is coming out?

So, given that, exactly what do I need to buy? Battery, connection to vpap (may change with whatever machine I end up with s10 or s11), what charger and do I need a box for it? There is a youtube on how to make a box for a Marrine case. I can do that. My average setting are 12.3 I and 8.3 E. I am have leak issues but that may be they s9 because when I pull of the p10 pillows, the machine stays on for quite a long time. It I disconnect the pillow system from the big hose, it goes off right away.

Could I use my car charge to charge the phone. I don't see why not. My car has to be on to charge so I would rather charge from the battery even if I need a bigger battery. Also, how long does it take to charge a 70 or a 100 hour battery?

Alan

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Additional Comments: also have mirage activa 2nasal masks but using the p10

alancalan
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Re: Cpap Machine and Battery Charger

Post by alancalan » Tue Jul 17, 2018 11:36 am

I see there is an entire list of things to buy above by CapnLoki but that was from 2014. Anything more current?

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MachineMaskHumidifier
Additional Comments: also have mirage activa 2nasal masks but using the p10