Backup Power Supply

Fredman · Post by **Fredman** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:33 pm

From my last post it seems many of us "need" our CPAP. Some tolerate using the thing others see it as their "dream machine", however, one thing is becoming clear. Not all of us are prepared for power outages.

I notice in CPAP.COM there are proprietary battery packs and CPAP.COM also offers their own offering. Just wondering how many are prepared for short and long term power outages. Battery packs seem good for short term but what about longer...could we live without our CPAPs?!

Does anyone have one of these units ready charged and ready to go?

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cpap.com, CPAP, Power

jules · Post by **jules** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:56 pm

4 months after a 5 day outage, I am still unprepared for CPAP (food, water, blankets we have). I have plans but haven't gotten there. However my plan is to be able to deal with 2 or 3 nights outage not 5.

We were told to expect electricity to be out a week out and no roads in and out were passable even for a medical emergency that first 2 days.

However, what is equally important is next power outage I will be able to find HOT water to make tea (and wash my hands) even if I have to light the fire myself.

There are several threads about battery backups on the forum if you search for them. Many machines will run on 12 V.

Fredman · Post by **Fredman** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:25 pm

FDA provides the following advice for Power Outages and medical devices:

Power Outage

* Notify your electric company and fire department to let them know you have a medical device that needs power (e.g., ventilator, apnea monitor).
* Read your user instructions or call your distributor or device manufacturer to find out if your device can be used with batteries or a generator.
* Locate a generator if possible.
* Make sure you check for water before plugging in your device. Do not plug in a power cord if the cord or the device is wet.
* When the power is restored, check to make sure the settings on your medical device have not changed (often medical devices reset to a default mode when power is interrupted).

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/emergency/hurricane.html#outage[quote][/quote]

Pineapple · Post by **Pineapple** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:30 pm

Fredman,

I'm not familar with the PowerPack600HD - have you got specs or a website?
Just looking at it, I find it an interesting possiblity.

When I first joined this forum, there was a discussion that someones DME told them not to use a UPS with thier CPAP. I asked my tech (who is also an Electrical Engineer) if he could think of any reason not to use an UPS with a CPAP, and after he finished looking at me as I he thought I had finally gone off the deep end, he stated "no one will die if you don't have a UPS on any off your machinery, but you wouldn't consider any of it without an UPS. Why would you consider not having an UPS that at least will allow you to realize there is a power outage (alarm) and allow you to shut it down properly."

After considering my options, I decided to go with the Battery-geek. While pricey, It was the best fit for my needs.

Check out this thread:

viewtopic.php?t=28154&highlight=camping+battery+geek

Fredman · Post by **Fredman** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:34 pm

Here is the manufacturers web page. They have a number of other models in differing watts and amperages etc.

http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/182/p/1/pt/29/product.asp

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 12:52 am

LINKS to Battery operation, camping, power outage
viewtopic.php?t=9682

Patrick A · Post by **Patrick A** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 12:56 am

I have the one made by the people who made my M-series Bipap

Bearded_One · Post by **Bearded_One** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 5:53 am

what is equally important is next power outage I will be able to find HOT water to make tea

I have a small Korean gas stove that is perfect for power outages; it is packaged in a small suitcase and uses LP gas that comes in cans like large hairspray cans. The stove can be used indoors as long as you have some ventilation. I got the stove and gas at a local Asian supermarket. The stove was less than $20 and the cans of gas are about $3 for a package of four. It is the same portable stove that many caterers use.

jules · Post by **jules** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 12:27 pm

Bearded_One wrote:
what is equally important is next power outage I will be able to find HOT water to make tea
I have a small Korean gas stove that is perfect for power outages; it is packaged in a small suitcase and uses LP gas that comes in cans like large hairspray cans. The stove can be used indoors as long as you have some ventilation. I got the stove and gas at a local Asian supermarket. The stove was less than $20 and the cans of gas are about $3 for a package of four. It is the same portable stove that many caterers use.

The problem is I can't be around that stuff. There are small Coleman stoves that use small cans of Propane and I can't be around those either (we talked about doing that). I know my plan is probably going to be toxic too but at least it will not include any petrochemicals and added scents but it will involve outdoor burning of wood and coal.

sleepie · Post by **sleepie** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 1:11 pm

i use a computer ups---for my backup supply

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 1:55 pm

sleepie wrote:i use a computer ups---for my backup supply

Those are great for protection, but only for very brief times, the internal batteries are too small to last long. Jim

sleepie · Post by **sleepie** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:55 pm

i wired mine to a deep cycle marine battery--pat

Bearded_One · Post by **Bearded_One** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 3:27 pm

I have a Battery Geeks lithium ion CPAP battery. I also have some 'gel cells' that are not as easy to use.

jules · Post by **jules** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 3:51 pm

Bearded_One wrote:I have a Battery Geeks lithium ion CPAP battery.

I would be interested in know how long that battery really last in comparison to how long it is supposed to last. When I started looking at solutions to a long power outage, I put my machine and pressure in the cpap.com site to get hours of usage, it was about twice of what i saw at the battery geeks page.

dreamchick · Post by **dreamchick** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 6:30 pm

I also use a computer ups for my back up.

It should run my equipment for a 1- 2 hours (near as I can figure).

Not perfect but a start.

Mask

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