Power alternatives

Murphy · Post by **Murphy** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:08 am

Just wanted to say I am learning so much on this site, I have been on CPAP for 2months and everything is working great, just wish I could find a mask I like!
What I am trying to figure out is alternate power options, I have read the posts about batteries and about hooking up to a computer apc power backup. But what I would like to find is both together. I live in Florida and sometimes in the middle of the night the power goes out, I want something that will automatically take over for the rest of the night so I don't have to get up and switch things. Is there something out there that does that? Sort of like the new gas powered whole house generators that automatically come on when the power goes out.
Thanks

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:25 am

just get a computer UPS and hook it up. Most of those are now modified sine wave and will work just fine. You will need to separate the power going to the heated humidifier as that resistance load doesn't fare well on a inverter, so I would connect it directly to power.

Wistful · Post by **Wistful** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:29 am

I believe a UPS (uninterrupted power supply) does that. It's like what you would use to back up power for a computer. I can show you a link to one I know of:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/subca ... 1924883555

That might give you a good idea what to look for.

Wistful

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 11:31 am

[quote="Wistful"]I believe a UPS (uninterrupted power supply) does that. It's like what you would use to back up power for a computer. I can show you a link to one I know of:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/subca ... 1924883555

That might give you a good idea what to look for.

Wistful

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 11:33 am

The problem with the UPS, the battery is small, for more than a intermittent outage, you need more battery. If you could mate a UPS, with a DEEP CYCLE battery, you could have the best of both worlds, but it would be a tinker job. Jim

tuna · Post by **tuna** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 11:35 am

Wistful wrote:I believe a UPS (uninterrupted power supply) does that. It's like what you would use to back up power for a computer. I can show you a link to one I know of:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/subca ... 1924883555

That might give you a good idea what to look for.

Wistful

_________________

Okay, now that is wierd! Tires?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 3:10 pm

LOL - Canadian Tire is a large retail chain in Canada (obviously) that sells electronics, sports, outdoor, automotive and yes tires. They are who you go to when you want something like a UPS.

They have two models of UPSes that use deep cycle batteries, so they can last all night, at least. They are made for powering appliances during an outage.

Have a peek and see what I mean!

Wistful

Murphy · Post by **Murphy** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 5:18 pm

Wistful
I have tried the links but can't seem to get anywhere, they ask for a postal code but do not take zip codes.

seth2007 · Post by **seth2007** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 6:39 pm

We bought a inverter at ace hardware, and when we go camping we hook it to a marine battery. Very heavy but it does the trick. The inverter will work in a car as well, through the lighter port. I like the idea of having a marine battery charged because we have winter blizzards a lot. ( I do not have a clue how to run the generator we have so when my husband is hunting, I have the battery for back up.

RichCMH · Post by **RichCMH** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 12:43 pm

The company I work for just installed a battery back-up for the computer servers that took two guys to lift and requires a 220 plug! Now that's a battery!

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 1:15 pm

RichCMH wrote:The company I work for just installed a battery back-up for the computer servers that took two guys to lift and requires a 220 plug! Now that's a battery!

Actually it took 4 guys to lift, 2 were carrying the invoice. Jim

roster · Post by **roster** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:24 pm

Hello Murphy,

My neighbor has what you might want. He had installed a whole-house generator that runs off his natural gas line. When the power goes off, it comes on automatically and when the power comes back on it turns itself off automatically.

It will not run the backup heat on the heat pump nor the kitchen oven. It runs everything else including the heat pump (air conditioner). Total installed price was about $7,000 for a 3200 square foot house.

It is a very nice system. We lose power several times per year due to lightning, wind and ice storms.

Check with local heating and air conditioning companies.

Let us know if you get one.

Rooster

Murphy · Post by **Murphy** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:26 pm

Hi Rooster
Ive looked into those generators, unfortunatly can't afford one. I just sent an email to APC, they make UPS's to ask their advice on what size to get. From what I read here everyone talks about sinewave (not sure what that is). Will let everyone know what they say. I am really surprised that CPAP.com doesn't sell them.
Eileen