Battery Research for a Respironics REMStar Auto A-Flex

All,

I was about to board an international red-eye and was searching for a one-night battery solution, and I didn't want to spend $300+ on a battery.

From this prior thread, I bought the PowerAdd 32000 from Amazon:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=97350&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

The screen would turn on, but then would shut off as soon as I turned the blower on. (By the way, my setting is at 12.5, and I turned off/disconnected the humidifier.)

I thought it was potentially a voltage problem, so I wrote a negative review, ordered another PowerAdd 32000, and the same thing happened. Dammit, I thought, PowerAdd sure has bad quality control.

Then upon reading another thread, it made me believe that the start-up amps were just too high for the PowerAdd 32000. PowerAdd 32000 is rated at 4.5 amps, and the REMStar Auto A-Flex is rated at 5 amps, but without the humidifier, I was hoping that it would require less than 4.5 amps).

Since I had 2 PowerAdd 32000 (had yet to return the other one), I thought, hey, what if I pigtail the 2 batteries? I ordered a 5 volt pigtail cord here:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/dc-pow ... ttery.html

and voila! My CPAP powered on. It stayed on for 7 hours straight (about the average length of one night's sleep) and drained both batteries about 75%.

So, this solution seems nominally cheaper than other CPAP batteries at $299:

2 PowerAdd 32000 batteries: $130 x 2 = $260
1 Pigtail Cable = $12
Total = $272

However, this solution seems heavier and bulkier. Weight = 1.8 lbs x 2 = 3.6 lbs. 2 times the thickness as well.

The PowerAdd 32000 does seem to have a lot of other applications and is much more flexible (given the different voltage settings , can charge laptops, tablets, whatnot -- not just 5V).

Keep the 2 PowerAdds? Or return them and just get a dedicated CPAP battery for $300?

I would look for a LiIon battery for golf carts (golf trolleys). These batteries can deliver more than 5 A easily. And they are lightweight too.

My setup for camping is heavier, a LiFePO4-battery, 24AH, 3 days with humidifier ... 20% left. But 3.8 kg incl. bag, charger and cable. These batteries should be usable up to 1400 cycles before they loose 20 % of their capacity.

LiPo's and lead batteries will give only ca. 300 cycles to 80% C. LiFePO4's are very expensive but they last long.

Greetings
fat rat

I've done a brief search for lithium ion batteries for golf carts, and they all seem to be thousands of dollars. Unless I'm missing something?

I just need enough battery power to make it thru one night (red-eye flights). I don't need something that will last 4-5 nights without recharging (e.g., camping trip).

If your setup works why to change? You have it already.
If it doesn't work long enough just an idea (but there should be a lot of similar offers):

Try 'Bioenno Power 12V' at Amazon ... (charger included!)
+ bag
+ adapter pole connectors to standard 12V plug socket

fat rat