looking for cpap power supply for bicycle touring

[nmevan]

Hello,

Is there a rechargeable battery out there that would power my cpap machine over night and that is light and could be easily carried in a pack on a bicycle?

I want to go bicycle touring and would like to be free of having to be near an electrical outlet.

If there is such a battery, then perhaps I could charge it with either a bicycle wheel generator or a small solar panel?

I read about the Goal Zero Sherpa 50...is this the ticket? Has anyone used this with the solar panels for an extended bike tour?

thank you

Evan

[KenM]

yes there is batteries like that.

they are $$$

poweradd pilot pro about $110
reviews says hit/miss on if it will power a xpap

Freedom travel battery about $250

xpap specific batteries get more expensive

more than one night will need a way to rechage

[CapnLoki]

Is there a rechargeable battery out there that would power my cpap machine over night and that is light and could be easily carried in a pack on a bicycle?
...
If there is such a battery, then perhaps I could charge it with either a bicycle wheel generator or a small solar panel?

There are a number of Lithium based power packs - they are typically 100 Watt-hours (equivalent to a 8 Amp-hour 12v battery) and weigh about 2 pounds. They will power a cpap for one, maybe two nights. They cost from $120 for units that target computers (though have been used for cpaps) to $300 for units that are designed for cpaps and other 12v devices.

The downside is they will need about 5 hours of charging to recharge enough for another day. You could do this with solar, but its very problematical while riding. I could imagine enough surface area if you could wear a jacket from made of charging material, or maybe some sort of wheel insert. I've never heard of this working, but its not completely unrealistic. Except on cloudy days. Or in a valley or forest. If you were doing night rides in a desert and sleeping during the day, it might work to put out panels.

Powering from the bike has the advantage of reliability, regardless of weather or terrain. There are some USB charging devices, but I don't know of any 12 volt chargers, and I don't know how much extra effort is needed.

EDIT: Just a little math - A cpap uses about 50 watt-hours a night; a cyclist generates 50 watts at an easy pace (up to 400 for a racer). Figuring a 50% efficiency for the generator/charging system, that's 100 Watt hours, which means about two hours of effort goes to charging the battery! Doesn't sound like fun.

Also, although lead based AGM batteries are heavy, you might find that a LiFePO4 battery can hold some extra juice, not be too heavy, and is chargable with traditional sources as they are often designed as drop in replacement for motorcycle batteries.

[nanwilson]

I have a friend that tours by bicycle and tows an extra small trailer behind. Inside the trailer is her gear and on top of the trailer she has attached a solar panel and runs off of the solar panel at night to power up her cpap... not to mention her portable coffee pot
I envy you the sight seeing you will be able to do by bike!!!!!!
Have fun and don't stretch those muscles too much.
Nan

[nmevan]

I have a friend that tours by bicycle and tows an extra small trailer behind. Inside the trailer is her gear and on top of the trailer she has attached a solar panel and runs off of the solar panel at night to power up her cpap... not to mention her portable coffee pot

Nan,
Do you know what system she uses...or can you connect me with her?

thanks

[nanwilson]

Sorry can't as she and her hubby are somewhere on a tour in the states for the winter. Won't be back for a couple of months from what I hear from others here at home.