Backpacking, Hiking and Camping - the PowerAdd Pilot Pro

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rogerconnelly
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Re: Backpacking, Hiking and Camping - the PowerAdd Pilot Pro

Post by rogerconnelly » Thu Jan 29, 2015 11:46 pm

Thanks for the reply Amenite - I agree the pictures are clear - I'm fairly convinced and will likely purchase the Poweradd battery.

OkyDoky, just so you (or anyone else following this thread) don't make the same mistake I did, that DC power cord from cpap-dot-com will not make just any battery work with the 60 series. I know because I bought that same DC power cord when I first found my old battery was incompatible with my new CPAP unit. Batteries are not my area of expertise, but I imagine this is why they sell two different, but very similar looking, batteries themselves - one which says it's for "most" PR units (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... e-kit.html) and another one specifically called out for the 60 series (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... d-kit.html).

I"m hoping I can find a use for the cord I bought with this new battery - we'll see.

Either way I'll post my results once I get a good working battery - fingers crossed I don't run into any of the first buy issues Amenite and Finster63 ran into (thanks for sharing about those though).

- Roger

Sleeprider
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Re: Backpacking, Hiking and Camping - the PowerAdd Pilot Pro

Post by Sleeprider » Fri Jan 30, 2015 9:13 am

Roger, when on battery power, you would use your model 760 without the humidifier. There is just too much power drain. The Poweradd battery has all the connectors you will need included. I have the same machine and heated hose for the humidifier. While that is great in the bedroom, it is a power hog and heavy for camping. As you probably know, the humidifier easily detaches from the blower, and you will need a standard hose to hook up to the BiPAP in that configuration.

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rogerconnelly
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Re: Backpacking, Hiking and Camping - the PowerAdd Pilot Pro

Post by rogerconnelly » Fri Jan 30, 2015 1:12 pm

Thanks for the confirmation and encouragement Sleeprider - I'm putting my order in for this battery today - now I just need to start planning my next Pismo Beach camping trip so I can share my results!

- Roger

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Finster63
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Re: Backpacking, Hiking and Camping - the PowerAdd Pilot Pro

Post by Finster63 » Sat Jan 31, 2015 9:45 am

I would make sure to check at home, before taking it camping - especially given the number of bad Poweradd batteries.

Mine would count down from 100% normally, but as soon as it hit between 70% and 60% (about 6-7 hours later) it would drain to 0% very quickly (within an hour).

So I would use at home, first, to see home days you can get from it.

And please post the results!!!
Home: ResMed S8 Escape II
Backpacking: PR System One REMstar 60 Series Plus with the PowerAdd 32000mAh battery:http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=103170&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
Travel: Zzz-PAP 'Silent Traveler'

Amenite

Re: Backpacking, Hiking and Camping - the PowerAdd Pilot Pro

Post by Amenite » Sat Jan 31, 2015 12:01 pm

I'm still wondering why the battery you have can't be adapted somehow to use with these 60 series units. Both models appear to be 12V DC input, and your battery is also 12V DC right? I mean, if it's just a matter of a different connector that plugs in to the 60 series as opposed to the 50 series, it should not be terribly difficult to make up some kind of connector or throw a cigarette lighter adapter in the mix. I understand if you're not willing to get into that on your own, but unless I'm missing something this would be a pretty straightforward adaptation that's needed and maybe you have someone who could assist?

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OkyDoky
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Re: Backpacking, Hiking and Camping - the PowerAdd Pilot Pro

Post by OkyDoky » Sat Jan 31, 2015 12:09 pm

Amenite wrote:I'm still wondering why the battery you have can't be adapted somehow to use with these 60 series units. Both models appear to be 12V DC input, and your battery is also 12V DC right? I mean, if it's just a matter of a different connector that plugs in to the 60 series as opposed to the 50 series, it should not be terribly difficult to make up some kind of connector or throw a cigarette lighter adapter in the mix. I understand if you're not willing to get into that on your own, but unless I'm missing something this would be a pretty straightforward adaptation that's needed and maybe you have someone who could assist?
The only difference I can see in the two battery kits that he linked to is the kits include the 12v cord and there is a different one for the 50 and 60. Maybe someone else can find a difference in specs. So, I would think he could use the battery.
ResMed Aircurve 10 VAUTO EPAP 11 IPAP 15 / P10 pillows mask / Sleepyhead Software / Back up & travel machine Respironics 760

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BlackSpinner
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Re: Backpacking, Hiking and Camping - the PowerAdd Pilot Pro

Post by BlackSpinner » Sat Jan 31, 2015 1:21 pm

I am seriously considering this thing.
I got a amazon gift certificate from my daughter that will cover this, however the lack of quality control is holding me back. Returning this to a seller in the USA will be a major hassle for me at this time. Just trying to squeeze in trip to the post office right now is just not easy and the shipping costs are not cheap.

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rogerconnelly
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Re: Backpacking, Hiking and Camping - the PowerAdd Pilot Pro

Post by rogerconnelly » Tue Feb 03, 2015 1:06 am

Well, I hate to post back with bad news - but bad news it is. I got my PowerAdd battery quickly from amazon.com (no surprise there - almost always a good experience with them). However, I charged the unit up (it came with about a 65% charge, which I thought was nice) to 100%, but when I connect my CPAP machine to it (with the humidifier side removed) the battery clearly "can work" with my CPAP machine, because it powers it on just fine - so I know I have the right cable connector to - but alas, as soon as the pressure starts up, the voltage setting on the batteries LCD begins to flash and the CPAP is powered down. All I can do at that point is disconnect the cable at the battery, which resets it, and then I can repeat the process - but the same thing always happens as soon as the pressure on the CPAP comes on (I even tried using the CPAP's "ramp" feature, but no change in results).

I don't think I'm doing anything "wrong" here - so I'm assuming I'm a victim of one of the bad batteries people have talked about here (and on amazon) - which is disappointing. So, I'll be starting the return process tonight in the hopes of getting a replacement unit - then I'll post again.

If anyone thinks there is something I should try before I send this battery back, PLEASE by all means post that and I'll be more than happy to try anything

And to those who think I should be able to use my old battery (thank you for being persistent there - I'd love to be able to use it): unfortunately when I connect my CPAP (again with the humidifier side removed) to that battery with the adaptor cord for the 60 series (that I bought seperately), all I get from my CPAP is a repetitive beep and a message to "service" on my CPAP's LCD screen. I agree with you that by looking at the specs listed for both batteries they seem identical (other than the connecting cable), but I think there must be some other difference that my lack of battery knowledge keeps me from seeing.

- Roger

amenite
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Re: Backpacking, Hiking and Camping - the PowerAdd Pilot Pro

Post by amenite » Tue Feb 03, 2015 4:47 am

Sorry to hear you got a non-functioning PowerAdd. I sent mine back and I'm not going to bother replacing. I got an email from the seller asking me if I wanted a replacement but I'm not going to waste my time on it. It's unfortunate that the old battery is not usable, perhaps someone can shed some light on why that is because it seems like it should work.

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Finster63
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Re: Backpacking, Hiking and Camping - the PowerAdd Pilot Pro

Post by Finster63 » Tue Feb 03, 2015 8:11 am

Hey Roger -

Do you have another USB device you can hook to the Poweradd battery?

If so, I'd hook it up and see if the battery drains evenly.

Something that is high drain would be best.
Home: ResMed S8 Escape II
Backpacking: PR System One REMstar 60 Series Plus with the PowerAdd 32000mAh battery:http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=103170&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
Travel: Zzz-PAP 'Silent Traveler'

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palerider
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Re: Backpacking, Hiking and Camping - the PowerAdd Pilot Pro

Post by palerider » Tue Feb 03, 2015 8:42 am

Finster63 wrote:Do you have another USB ...Something that is high drain would be best.
high drain usb is maybe 10 watts.

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OkyDoky
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Re: Backpacking, Hiking and Camping - the PowerAdd Pilot Pro

Post by OkyDoky » Tue Feb 03, 2015 9:30 am

Well my hope has fallen a little with your experience. I too have a battery on the way and it should be here by the end of the week. Like you say Amazon has always been a good experience for me so either way I feel covered. I will let you know my experience after I get to try the battery.
ResMed Aircurve 10 VAUTO EPAP 11 IPAP 15 / P10 pillows mask / Sleepyhead Software / Back up & travel machine Respironics 760

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BlackSpinner
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Re: Backpacking, Hiking and Camping - the PowerAdd Pilot Pro

Post by BlackSpinner » Tue Feb 03, 2015 9:40 am

Ok I have basically talked myself out of buying it. I bought books instead.

I will wait until something of better quality comes on the market.

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rogerconnelly
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Re: Backpacking, Hiking and Camping - the PowerAdd Pilot Pro

Post by rogerconnelly » Tue Feb 03, 2015 12:34 pm

Finster63 and palerider - the only USB devices I have handy are a couple of iPads - so I've hooked both up and will watch and see how evenly the battery drains as it charges them both up - I'll post the results later today.

- thanks - Roger

P.S. as to my old battery, I'll keep troubleshooting that when I get home from work - I'd be totally happy if I could get that to work (and I'll just return the PowerAdd) - but I'm not sure what else to try. I can check the fuse inside the adaptor cord that I bought that connects to the 60 series - I thought I had the correct one in, but maybe not - I really don't have many other ideas besides that.

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CapnLoki
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Re: Backpacking, Hiking and Camping - the PowerAdd Pilot Pro

Post by CapnLoki » Tue Feb 03, 2015 1:25 pm

rogerconnelly wrote:Well, I hate to post back with bad news ...
I was hoping this would work but I have to say I'm not that surprised. The PowerAdd 32000 is not designed to do this sort of work - its built entirely as a backup charger for cell phones and small laptops and tablets. My guess is that the BiPap requires 3-4 Amps to start the pump and that's enough to trigger a shut down. My 560 uses over 3 Amps at start up even though it then draws about .5 Amps.

Although the Lithium-Polymer (LiPo) technology is currently the lightest and the easiest to fit into devices such as cell phones and tablets, it isn't well suited to being a 12V supply. The nominal 3.7 V voltage doesn't match well and special electronics are needed to provide the different output voltages. A better candidate is Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4). This has a flatter discharge curve, a long shelf life and the nominal voltage of 3.2V means that four cells in series is 12.8V, a perfect match to traditional lead-acid batteries. They can be charged with normal lead-acid battery chargers as long as they don't have "de-sulphation" circuitry. The down-side is a bit more weight, and perhaps a higher cost.

I confess I've never used a LiFePO4 battery, and don't expect to buy one in the near future for CPAP use. However, I've been following the evolution of Lithium batteries and this seems to be the best technology. A few things to look for: the battery should have a Battery Managment System or "BMS" which is a bit of electronics that ensures that the cells charge evenly and that the battery shuts down to prevent damage in a few situations, like 100% discharge. The other issue I've run into is that some 12V "drop in replacement" starting batteries are rated at their "equivalent" capacity, not the true capacity. Since traditional starting batteries can only give full power to 30% discharge, and LiFePO4 is good to about 80%, some vendors will say something like "replaces a 30Ah battery" when its really only a 12Ah battery. These should be avoided because they are designed for starting applications, not deep cycle. (Also, I don't like the sleazy "specsmanship"!)

An example of a reasonable looking battery is the K2 12v 10 AmpHour pack:
http://www.amazon.com/Energy-K2B12V10EB ... B0056BWK8I
At 2.8 lbs its a pound heavier than the Poweradd, has about the same capacity, and it will have no trouble powering a CPAP (and it might even start a car!).

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