Guys:
Does anyone have success running a Bi-Level device using a 12Volt Battery??
Last night I did a test run with a 22 Amp hour "Jump Start Max" from Walmart. My machine only draws 1 amp, so I thought I was good to go!
NOT!!!!....Seems that curent surges trip the internal circuit breaker in the battery and turn off the machine. Once I got going to a steady breathing rythym it was OK, but about 2 AM that was it! I kept tripping the breaker and I had to go back to plug in. Needless to say the battery is going back to Walmart today!
I assume that a CPAP wouldn't be an issue, but these current draw surges that occur when the machine cycles between IPAP and EPAP are making it difficult.
What works??? Anyone have a system that they know works? I do not want to plunk down 750 bucks for a Puritan Bennet 32 Amp hour battery pack.
Need Battery Advice for Puritan Bennet GK 425
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Hi Joe,
I use a GK420E on a 115 Amp hr battery. I will run for at least 2 weeks per charge. My Jump-N-Carry jump starter will run for at least 2 nites. The 420E only uses .75 amps . Check your connections. Also, allow the jump starter to be discharged to 50% a few times (about 12 volts). Fully charged should indicate 12.7 -13 volts.
I operate directly from my battery now. I push the charge button every other sunday. No more worries about power failures !
Here is my post about my system.
Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 11:36 am Post subject: Battery Backup Power System
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello Fellow Hoseheads,
A few weeks ago I posted my battery backup system.. Well I was wondering how well it would really work so tested it for 8 days. The charger worked for 10 hrs to charge the battery when I was done. Most of the time to charge the last 5 %.
I have a Resmed Spirit and a PB420E. The 420E is new to me. Had it 5 weeks now. It is capable of operating directly from 12V as from a car lighter outlet or directly from a 12V battery.
Here is my set up:
1 ea. 12V deep cycle battery . Model 27DC 6. 115 amp hr $58
1 ea. Battery Charger . Schumacher Speed Charge model WM-1200A $42
1 ea. Battery case to fit battery $ 7
1 ea. All weather power outlet . Casco 212711C $ 8
OR Victor Truck/SUV 12V power outlet V5108 $12
Above purchased from Wal Mart
________________________________________________________________________
1 ea 12V DC Adaptor Accessory Outlet with "M" connector #270 1533 $ 7
From Radio Shack.
_______________________________________________________________________
You may also purchase many of these items at cpap.com at much greater prices.
A note about the battery..I purchased a large (115 amp hr) battery because I have other uses for it and because I have a habbit of over doing things. Just ask my wife..LOL... It weighs 57 lbs. I operated my 420E from it for 8 nights or about 64 hours.. Starting voltage was 13.2 . I ended the trial when the voltage dropped to 12.6 . My test meter indicatd this as 75 % remaining..I figure I could have gone another 5 days if needed.. A deep cycle battery is condidered at 50% when the voltage drops to 12.06 volts. So I had plenty of capacity to spare..
Deep cycle batterys Must be cycled several times to reach their full capacity. If you buy 1 and put it in the closet it probably wont last long.. They need to be used.
If I were buying a battery specifically for a cpap backup I would purchase a GEL call battery.. These do not spill and are allowed on most aircraft.. They do cost a bit more . 50%-100% more. Also, 115 amp hr is a bit large for most people to handle. A 35 amp hr battery would be fine for a few nights.
MK makes sealed Gel batterys. Can be had for under $100. They store more easily , are non spillable and the Schumacher charger will work with them.
For travel small gel cell batterys, and sealed lead acid batterys are available . They will maybe last 1 night but they weigh only about 5-10 lbs.
The charger...The WM1200A is a automatic Charger / Maintainer. It is unique that it can charge a battery to 100% charge. Most transformer types will indicate a full charge when the battery is at 85% . It will also float charge when the battery is in storage...Switching on only as needed.
The connectors...the lighter outlet is standard automotive...Buy the one with the largest/ heaviest wires. I listed the truck /SUV connector because it is heavy duty and has a 17 foot length. Now you can place the battery in another room or outside your tent .. You get my point.. it gives you more options. The charger does have a cooling fan that sounds a bit louder than a cpap. So if you can move the whole setup away its more friendly..
The 420e uses a type M connector.. The radio shack 2701533 is rated at 2 amps. This connector can also be used in your car lighter if needed in a pinch.
So thats it folks.. Connect all these goodies together being very carefull around that battery. Its full of acid and if spilled could give nasty burns. Wear SAFETY GOGGLES. Be carefull not to short the terminals with a tool or jewelry ...It will turn a wrench red hot in 2 seconds and may explode.
Use with a Resmed Spirit :
The Resmed Spirit requires a INVERTER to produce 120 Volts from 12V. I only recommend using a PURE SINE WAVE INVERTER. Do not use a square wave or modified sine wave inverter as it may toast your cpap..
I have a AIMS 300 Pure Sine Wave inverter.. Inverters use more power to produce 120VAC. Roughly 10 amps DC for every amp of 120V AC created. The AIMS 300 inverter uses about 30 amps 12V to make 300 watts @ 120 Volts.it clamps directly to the battery terminals wsing 50 amp clamps. Not a good choice if you have the option of using a 12V cpap like the 420E.
You need a large battery if you use a Inverter !!
http://www.invertersrus.com has them for $129. Also see their FAQ site about cpap and other medical equipment backup power .
I have never needed to use my Spirit on a inverter and may never since I now have a 420 E..
A pure sine wave inverter weights 5-6 lbs. A cheap modified wave inverter weights less than 1 lbs. Thats how you can easily tell the difference..
Links:
http://www.windsun.com All kinds of battery information
http://www.radioshack.com Connector with m plug for 420E
http://www.mkbattery.com Battery info
http://www.invertersrus.com Inverter sales and some good info .
Thats all there is to it..Just add $$$$$$$$$$$$
If I wasn't specific enough for you or you need any help or have comments please let me have it .. I can take it...Oh I'm not an expert at anything so if you know more than I posted let me have it... Thats how we learn... the smart guys teach the dumb guys...
Cheers,
Chris
I use a GK420E on a 115 Amp hr battery. I will run for at least 2 weeks per charge. My Jump-N-Carry jump starter will run for at least 2 nites. The 420E only uses .75 amps . Check your connections. Also, allow the jump starter to be discharged to 50% a few times (about 12 volts). Fully charged should indicate 12.7 -13 volts.
I operate directly from my battery now. I push the charge button every other sunday. No more worries about power failures !
Here is my post about my system.
Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 11:36 am Post subject: Battery Backup Power System
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello Fellow Hoseheads,
A few weeks ago I posted my battery backup system.. Well I was wondering how well it would really work so tested it for 8 days. The charger worked for 10 hrs to charge the battery when I was done. Most of the time to charge the last 5 %.
I have a Resmed Spirit and a PB420E. The 420E is new to me. Had it 5 weeks now. It is capable of operating directly from 12V as from a car lighter outlet or directly from a 12V battery.
Here is my set up:
1 ea. 12V deep cycle battery . Model 27DC 6. 115 amp hr $58
1 ea. Battery Charger . Schumacher Speed Charge model WM-1200A $42
1 ea. Battery case to fit battery $ 7
1 ea. All weather power outlet . Casco 212711C $ 8
OR Victor Truck/SUV 12V power outlet V5108 $12
Above purchased from Wal Mart
________________________________________________________________________
1 ea 12V DC Adaptor Accessory Outlet with "M" connector #270 1533 $ 7
From Radio Shack.
_______________________________________________________________________
You may also purchase many of these items at cpap.com at much greater prices.
A note about the battery..I purchased a large (115 amp hr) battery because I have other uses for it and because I have a habbit of over doing things. Just ask my wife..LOL... It weighs 57 lbs. I operated my 420E from it for 8 nights or about 64 hours.. Starting voltage was 13.2 . I ended the trial when the voltage dropped to 12.6 . My test meter indicatd this as 75 % remaining..I figure I could have gone another 5 days if needed.. A deep cycle battery is condidered at 50% when the voltage drops to 12.06 volts. So I had plenty of capacity to spare..
Deep cycle batterys Must be cycled several times to reach their full capacity. If you buy 1 and put it in the closet it probably wont last long.. They need to be used.
If I were buying a battery specifically for a cpap backup I would purchase a GEL call battery.. These do not spill and are allowed on most aircraft.. They do cost a bit more . 50%-100% more. Also, 115 amp hr is a bit large for most people to handle. A 35 amp hr battery would be fine for a few nights.
MK makes sealed Gel batterys. Can be had for under $100. They store more easily , are non spillable and the Schumacher charger will work with them.
For travel small gel cell batterys, and sealed lead acid batterys are available . They will maybe last 1 night but they weigh only about 5-10 lbs.
The charger...The WM1200A is a automatic Charger / Maintainer. It is unique that it can charge a battery to 100% charge. Most transformer types will indicate a full charge when the battery is at 85% . It will also float charge when the battery is in storage...Switching on only as needed.
The connectors...the lighter outlet is standard automotive...Buy the one with the largest/ heaviest wires. I listed the truck /SUV connector because it is heavy duty and has a 17 foot length. Now you can place the battery in another room or outside your tent .. You get my point.. it gives you more options. The charger does have a cooling fan that sounds a bit louder than a cpap. So if you can move the whole setup away its more friendly..
The 420e uses a type M connector.. The radio shack 2701533 is rated at 2 amps. This connector can also be used in your car lighter if needed in a pinch.
So thats it folks.. Connect all these goodies together being very carefull around that battery. Its full of acid and if spilled could give nasty burns. Wear SAFETY GOGGLES. Be carefull not to short the terminals with a tool or jewelry ...It will turn a wrench red hot in 2 seconds and may explode.
Use with a Resmed Spirit :
The Resmed Spirit requires a INVERTER to produce 120 Volts from 12V. I only recommend using a PURE SINE WAVE INVERTER. Do not use a square wave or modified sine wave inverter as it may toast your cpap..
I have a AIMS 300 Pure Sine Wave inverter.. Inverters use more power to produce 120VAC. Roughly 10 amps DC for every amp of 120V AC created. The AIMS 300 inverter uses about 30 amps 12V to make 300 watts @ 120 Volts.it clamps directly to the battery terminals wsing 50 amp clamps. Not a good choice if you have the option of using a 12V cpap like the 420E.
You need a large battery if you use a Inverter !!
http://www.invertersrus.com has them for $129. Also see their FAQ site about cpap and other medical equipment backup power .
I have never needed to use my Spirit on a inverter and may never since I now have a 420 E..
A pure sine wave inverter weights 5-6 lbs. A cheap modified wave inverter weights less than 1 lbs. Thats how you can easily tell the difference..
Links:
http://www.windsun.com All kinds of battery information
http://www.radioshack.com Connector with m plug for 420E
http://www.mkbattery.com Battery info
http://www.invertersrus.com Inverter sales and some good info .
Thats all there is to it..Just add $$$$$$$$$$$$
If I wasn't specific enough for you or you need any help or have comments please let me have it .. I can take it...Oh I'm not an expert at anything so if you know more than I posted let me have it... Thats how we learn... the smart guys teach the dumb guys...
Cheers,
Chris
Thanks Chris....
But the GK 420E is an APAP. You don't get current draw surges from CPAP or APAP. A deep cycle marine battery will work, because there is no curcuit breaker on it...but it weighs 55 lbs! and you need to take it to a gas station to charge it.
I contacted a battery expert through my company electrician...he is going to look into what works and get back to me.
I'll keep you posted....BiPAP is a pain!
But the GK 420E is an APAP. You don't get current draw surges from CPAP or APAP. A deep cycle marine battery will work, because there is no curcuit breaker on it...but it weighs 55 lbs! and you need to take it to a gas station to charge it.
I contacted a battery expert through my company electrician...he is going to look into what works and get back to me.
I'll keep you posted....BiPAP is a pain!
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1