Camping w/CPAP and Batteries

Cyngen · Post by **Cyngen** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 10:03 am

I am a motorcycle and camping enthusiast. I enjoy touring on the motorcycle and then setting up camp. We have a nice popup that tows behind my motorcycle.

Sometimes we end up in some wilderness where there isn't electricity for a given nights stay and I will be running my CPAP off battery. Being that a motorcycle has very limited space as does the popup, what are some of my battery options. It seems the deep cycle marine batteries are just way too large and heavy to be practical for me.

I basically need at most a single nights worth of battery typcially. My CPAP has the battery interface so i'm set there.

Thanks ... Cyngen

derek · Post by **derek** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 10:13 am

My measurements on the REMStar Auto show that it draws slightly less than 1 amp without the humidifier. If you assume an eight hour night, and you don't want to draw the battery down to less than half its capacity (recommeded for long battery life), this says you can get away with about 15-20 Ampere-Hour capacity on a battery for a single night. These are much smaller than the normal marine deep-cycle batteries.

Make sure you get a deep-cycle battery.

Of course you cannot use a heated humidifier on the battery, but I use a Respironics pass-over humidifier very successfully on my boat.

Miss Sandman · Post by **Miss Sandman** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 12:53 pm

I am heading for the woods for 5 nights with my RV trailer. I have a HD battery in the trailer on full charge and hope to get 3-4 nights with my ResMed auto off it.
Also, I am going to run an extension off an inverter to my Dodge Dakota the 1st two nights (without humid!!!) to see if that works well. I will be driving around a bit during the day and will recharge the truck battery. Hey, there's always AAA to jump the truck! We have made it thru 3-4 nights using the minimum of battery lights and the pump in the past. No TV.....so what.
I will make a report when I return... just read some old "camping with CPAP" threads from others. Thanks for the great ideas/solutions.
Sandi

Cyngen · Post by **Cyngen** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 2:09 pm

Thanks Sandi and Derek,

Weight is a factor in what I can take along. I'll investigate the deep cycle batteries and of course a smaller charger.

I'm heading out the 20th for 9 days, some in the wilderness,some not so wild Once I return I'll report back.

I'm thinking I can survive without the humidifier on the odd night or even for the entire trip to reduce what I carry.

Cyngen

johnnygoodman · Post by **johnnygoodman** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 3:26 pm

Howdy,

When considering travel friendly, battery powered CPAPs, make sure to have a look at the AEIOmed Aura Travel CPAP with Rechargeable Battery Pack

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/AEIOme ... -Pack.html

Johnny

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 4:02 pm

Might try your local feed store . A 16-20 amp hr gel battery used for electric fence chargers would work. Very small and inexpensive. Around $25.

:twis ted:

Barb (Seattle) · Post by **Barb (Seattle)** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 5:12 pm

[quote="Cyngen"]Thanks Sandi and Derek,

Weight is a factor in what I can take along. I'll investigate the deep cycle batteries and of course a smaller charger.

I'm heading out the 20th for 9 days, some in the wilderness,some not so wild Once I return I'll report back.

I'm thinking I can survive without the humidifier on the odd night or even for the entire trip to reduce what I carry.

Cyngen

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 5:29 pm

That ole Spirit is a battery killer. Heck. Just the inverter uses more power than the GK 420E. Switch on the Spirit and your battery is toast unless its HUGE.

:twis ted:

Miss Sandman · Post by **Miss Sandman** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 11:29 am

Well Twist Ted was right about the Spirit. Turn it over and it draws AAAAAAAAHHHHHH 2.2 amps. The other res med I had was .46A, I thought

I got two nights out of a battery I should have had 4. Recharging 8 hours got me another 1 1/2 nights out of it using a 100 watt inverter.
Oh well. I plan on getting something of my own with the battery option.

Most large camp places have somewhere to recharge portable batteries for medical purposes. NO good in the good old wilderness. No way was I going to drain my truck battery just for a test. I even considered taking the battery out and going to "Autozone" They offer free recharging of batteries.
So results are: One night, fine 2 nights yes, but turn off inverter when not fired up. IMHO Campers need to invest in simple cpap w/battery option.
Sandi

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 3:43 pm

If you're wallet can take it check out this solar panal .

http://www.affordable-solar.com/global- ... dland.html

http://www.affordable-solar.com/global- ... olarpanels

:twis ted:

Camping w/CPAP and Batteries

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