DC power cord

[Pineapple]

Mulzicman,

Please fill in your profile so we know what equiptment you are using.

The older RemStar humidifiers were not made to be used on DC but last year they came out with one intended to be used with DC - if you have a RemStar M series it's pretty easy to determine. If the humidifer power plugs into the CPAP it's the newer one. Even if you have the older one, you can still run it in passover mode - no heater - if you need humidity.

Another thing I would do is order a machine specific DC power cable (I got mine from cpap.com) That way your not fumbling around looking for the right tip.

The Black and Deck unit does not take to long to recharge using AC. You can plug it in and once it is fully charged it goes into trickle charge mode. Note that if you recharge in using DC (like your car lighter) you can over charge the battery and damage the unit.

[alexcue]

I know we went off on a tangent but i appreciate the info on the Black & Decker 400. Seems much cheaper solution than the Respironics battery and it gives a longer life to boot. Seems wise to run it on DC power rather than thru the inverter. That's why I've hung on to my M Series Plus model, figure i can use it as a backup travel machine. Might have to backoff on pressure setting to 10.5 tho

[spiritwalker]

I use a RemStar Plus cpap system. I wanted to use the cpap on my boat when I sleep overnight. I called my local medical supplier and they stated the DC power cord would run about $80. I told them to keep the cord.
I went to Radio Shack and purchased a heavy duty (5 amp) DC power cord with the cigarette lighter attachment on one end and a plug (with tip being positive) for the other end. I plugged in the unit and it lit up. Did a quick startup and the unit seemed to work.
When camping out on the boat a few nights ago, I plugged in the machine and set up for a good nights rest. A few minutes after running, the machine lite up a couple of times and then stopped. I looked at the display and a code E36 (I believe, I was very tired) was displayed. I disconnected the power cord and reconnected it. The machine ran for a minute and then quit again.
First, I assumed the plug should have a positive tip and negative ring, but, is this correct?
Second, what is the DC voltage range of the cpap?
Third, does anyone have a list of error codes for the RemStar Plus?
I searched the internet and found a note about DC power cords. It stated that certain Respironics cpap machines will not work above 11 cm H20 using the DC source.
So, I adjusted the pressure to 11 cm from the originally setting of 12 cm and the machine seems to work. I don't know if the information is true. Does anyone know about limitations using DC power?
Thanks for all your help.

Was this issue ever resolved? I had the same problem with the same machine.. REMstar Plus Model 1005960 running off of a DC power cord connected to a dual 6V deep cycle battery system wired in series to produce 12V. Upon connecting the machine it powered up and operated normally.. I went to bed/sleep and woke up approx 2 hours later with no flow.. The cpap machine was still powered on however it displayed an E-36 code and an attention symbol.. the lighted buttons were flashing.. I unplugged the machine and plugged it back in and it began to function again.. This process went on about every hour throughout the night.

It seems to function fine on AC power.
I do not use a humidifier.

I have called my healthcare provider and they are going to have a respiratory specialist contact me but I thought I'd still investigate this as I want a solid solution for running on DC power during power outages and camping/RV trips.

Cheers,
spiritwalker

[Guest]

The cpap machine was still powered on however it displayed an E-36 code and an attention symbol.. the lighted buttons were flashing.. I unplugged the machine and plugged it back in and it began to function again.. This process went on about every hour throughout the night.

E-36 ERR_NVDATA_RANGE_FAILURE •Defective EEPROM •Replace Main PCA
1st thing that comes to mind is a low battery voltage in which case the machine wont know how to behave

[spiritwalker]

Thanks for the reply..

It's hard to believe the voltage or current could have been low. Both batteries are new and were fully charged. That CPAP only draws a max of 3A and I run my pressure at 15.

[Guest]

Thanks for the reply..

It's hard to believe the voltage or current could have been low. Both batteries are new and were fully charged. That CPAP only draws a max of 3A and I run my pressure at 15.

well has the machine been dropped? fallen to the floor? or had water spilled in it from the humidifier?
its best to check the battery with a meter while the machine in on and running
what is the voltage reading?

[archangle]

Thanks for the reply..

It's hard to believe the voltage or current could have been low. Both batteries are new and were fully charged. That CPAP only draws a max of 3A and I run my pressure at 15.

Lead acid batteries are just freakin weird sometimes, especially if they don't get used a lot. Even if they're "new", they may have sit for a while and been moved around in shipping. A good full charge, mid range discharge, and then full charge wouldn't be a bad idea. Lots of people will do multiple charge/discharge cycles on new batteries.

[123.Shawn T.W.]

This is what I use with my PR S1 Auto:

I picked this up at Radio Shack, less than $20 ...

[archangle]

This is what I use with my PR S1 Auto:

I picked this up at Radio Shack, less than $20 ...

You have to be careful to get the plus and minus in the right place. The adapter plugs in two different ways and reverses the voltage.

I presume you know that, but for anyone else buying one, be careful.

I'll also recommend marking the tip clearly so you can put it back correctly if it comes off, and maybe securing it with heat shrink tubing or tape so it won't fall off on you.

[Starlette]

I think I already know what the answer is going to be. However, I'm going to ask anyway. Hubbs thinks this is not necessary for me.
Are we blowing all this battery power stuff out of proportion? Or do we really have our heads screwed on right? His argument is, "What is the big deal of not being able to use it for 2 - 3 days?" Like I said, I probably already know what the answer is, but I'm asking anyway.
This will give me more weight on my side of the fence.

Starlette

[archangle]

I think I already know what the answer is going to be. However, I'm going to ask anyway. Hubbs thinks this is not necessary for me.
Are we blowing all this battery power stuff out of proportion? Or do we really have our heads screwed on right? His argument is, "What is the big deal of not being able to use it for 2 - 3 days?" Like I said, I probably already know what the answer is, but I'm asking anyway.
This will give me more weight on my side of the fence.

Starlette

1) I suspect a lot of us would not sleep at all without CPAP.
2) If we did sleep, we might get headache, extreme sleepiness, fatigue, etc. for the days we go without CPAP. Like our days before treatment, but worse because we aren't used to being strangled every few minutes like we were before CPAP.
3) There's some risk of serious problems like heart attack, stroke, mysterious stab wounds on the person who didn't think you need a backup battery, etc. even during a single night without CPAP.
4) Car wrecks from falling asleep because of the previous night's apnea.
5) SNORING.

[Guest]

I think I already know what the answer is going to be. However, I'm going to ask anyway. Hubbs thinks this is not necessary for me.
Are we blowing all this battery power stuff out of proportion? Or do we really have our heads screwed on right? His argument is, "What is the big deal of not being able to use it for 2 - 3 days?" Like I said, I probably already know what the answer is, but I'm asking anyway.
This will give me more weight on my side of the fence.

Starlette

does he know this therapy helps even out the mood swings?
who is to say it won't be much more than a week when the power does go out?
the very best way to prevent a power outage is to be prepared
and battery power is the very best way cuz as we are seeing now people with generators cant find gas
but you dont want a generator to run all nite anyway

[archangle]

does he know this therapy helps even out the mood swings?

Hmmm.... How about telling him "Apnea is worse than PMS."

[BarryB]

It's been so long since my first post, I forgot about it.

The problem was never resolved. I did more research and found that the cpap I use does not run on DC if set above 11 inches of pressure. Does not make sense but it is what it is.

Thanks for all the comments.

BarryB

[123.Shawn T.W.]

This is what I use with my PR S1 Auto:

I picked this up at Radio Shack, less than $20 ...

You have to be careful to get the plus and minus in the right place. The adapter plugs in two different ways and reverses the voltage.

I presume you know that, but for anyone else buying one, be careful.

I'll also recommend marking the tip clearly so you can put it back correctly if it comes off, and maybe securing it with heat shrink tubing or tape so it won't fall off on you.

Yes, I'm aware, and have been using this setup in my semi-truck for the last two weeks (8.5cm H2O - 10.5cm H2O) ... I tested my end from the brick and confirmed that it was positive (+) power on the inside tip, and then plugged in my DC cord, and confirmed that the inside tip was also positive (+) ... but that is a good idea about taping it.

Here is a picture for the folks of the end, and if you follow the directions on the back of the package (pictured in my previous post) it is easy to put together (plug & play!)



Here is the end taken apart:



I just plug this into my "Cigirette Lighter" type outlets in my truck, you can buy a "lead" at an auto parts store, or Radio Shack that will have either a "aligator" type clip/clamp on it, or "eyes" which you can screw/bolt onto a battery