Has anyone used a solar power device to recharge battery?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
monica
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2005 11:57 am

Has anyone used a solar power device to recharge battery?

Post by monica » Wed Sep 06, 2006 9:40 am

I am going camping in a remote location. I have a Remstar Solo Lx. I will be out for 3-6 days with no electricity at all. I am considering purchasing a battery pack from cpap.com, but I need to recharge it after the battery has depleted. Has anyone used a solar power device to recharge battery? Does anyone know if this will work? Any recommendations?


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Goofproof
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Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:16 pm
Location: Central Indiana, USA

Post by Goofproof » Wed Sep 06, 2006 9:54 am

To get a solar power charger big enough to be effective would cost quite a bit. Solar power has been around for over 35 years, but hasn't really became cost effective. Using a small generator to recharge is the most effective, no power grid method to recharge, Two large Deep Cycle Batteries would get you a week without recharging. Jim

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HP
Posts: 62
Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2005 8:27 pm
Location: Chicago Area

I've researched solar a bit

Post by HP » Wed Sep 06, 2006 10:14 am

To use solar, you'll need a minimum amount of daytime sunlight, solar gear that will handle the power demands to recharge the battery in a day, and $ to buy the equipment. Everything will weigh a certain amount, mostly the battery(s). Don't use the heating circuit for the humidifier.

Recharging a small 20-amp-hour or so battery with adequate sunlight will require a larger panel and charging circuit that may run $400 or so. You can google around to find some options.

If weight is not an issue (you can haul the stuff in and out easily), I would purchase one or more deep cycle marine batteries of sufficient capacity to cover your 3-6 nights. Find out how many DC amps your CPAP draws (measure it so you know for sure). Then figure that amount (amps) times 8 hours= X amp-hours per night. Then multiply that answer by six to get the total ampere-hours needed. Then add 40-50% more if you want to be able to improve the life of your battery set-up. Then buy one or more batteries that combined will give you the total amp-hour number you calculated.

If $ were not an issue, buy the BreatheX and two spare batteries ~ $900. This gives you a light weight and very compact solution. My camping/travel requirement limits the size and weight, so I have the BreatheX and it works nicely.

Happy camping!


monica
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2005 11:57 am

Post by monica » Wed Sep 06, 2006 10:29 am

Thank you so much for your help!!