Battery powered units

[Regnad]

Just a note for those who use battery powered units... unless you're on a camping trip or an oversees flight, I'd imagine these units are more geared towards power failures. In fact, they look like they'd probably be too bulky/heavy to lug around in general.

IMHO, I'd suggest people interested in a battery powered unit instead look in to a UPS, Your local computer shop (or similar) should carry them. It depends on how much power the xPAP machine actually draws, but a UPS (uninterruptable power supply) of sufficient rating should get one though even the longer of power outages. Most also have surge supression, and nicer ones will regulate power (helpful if you have dirty power - instead of a constant 60 hertz (US) the juice fluctuates - that's bad for computer components).

Just figured I'd make an attempt at giving something back Their main function is for computers... but they'll work for anything (save for space heaters/microwaves and things that have immense power needs). Also nice for cordless phones if the power goes out; phone lines have their own power, but cordless phone base stations need regular power.

I really don't think xPAP machines draw too much juice (haven't looked though) so even a lower-powered UPS would probably be more than sufficient. They (in theory) seemlessly switch the power ove to battery on interruption (blackouts or brownouts usually).

So, for any looking into a battery-powered unit, I hope this gives you something to chew on. 'Course, if I'm missing something about the whole thing, I'm all ears!

[brasshopper]

A small UPS will run my old CPAP for about 2 hours - no humidifier. Have no idea about the new one.

Some UPS devices are full time inverters (they always charge the batteries and generate their own AC) and some normally leave the computer hooked to the power line, kicking in only for power failures. I don't know which you have but if you want to clean up dirtypower from, say, a generator, you need the full time inverter type.

If you really want to run for a very long time get a "Heart Interface". One of those will keep a small bank of batteries charged and conditioned - by a bank, I mean like 4 big golf cart batteries in series and parallel so that they develop 12 volts and provide 1000 watts - or run your CPAP for a couple days. They are sold by the RV industry and have all the required isolation switches and such so that you will not kill the electrical workers.

[Regnad]

Yah, it really depends on the rating of the UPS as far as how long they'll keep the cpap running. Hrm... also, they suggest changing the batteries in UPSes on a regular basis (so it's noit impossible that an older UPS might have a battery that's a tad worn out).
The power here SUCKS... The whole house really needs a line conditioner. Oddly, I've spoken to electricians who simply have no idea what I'm talking about or what a line conditioner is. So it's individual UPSes as a temporary solution.

My main one on my monster box has something in between what you were talking about... it only switches over to battery when necessary (so it usually passes the power straight through) and yet it claims to have some kind of line conditioner built in (AVR - automatic Voltage Regulation). Not sure how well it works though - I know it's not optimal, but it was a whole lot cheaper than a full-blown UPS w/ "correct" AVR.

Also... I gotta think that these portable battery powered CPAPs essentially have a UPS strapped onto them (can't imagine that they're using some fantastical technology markedy different than what's in a UPS). I'd imagine the power to weight ratio is similar as well... other than the extra bulk and some added weight on the UPS housing.

Owell, I'm a bit of a DIY type of guy.

But, perhaps, not to this extreme...

http://www.boners.com/grub/795393.html