Backup power question

[tonycog]

I have a question about battery backup. I'm looking at this, among others:

http://www.duracellpower.com/backup-pow ... -1800.aspx

I know it's over-kill for CPAP only, but for me it would also have additional usefulness. They cost about $400. This is not a lot more than the small-battery dedicated CPAP backups plus cords, etc.

My question is about the inverter. It uses a modified sine wave inverter. Is this an issue to worry about with my machine (Respironics Bi-PAP AutoSV)? Also, what effect would there be in using the heated humidifier with this one, other than greater battery usage?

Thanks,
Tony

[Patrick A]

I would use one of these from Cpap.com
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... -pack.html
I have a M-Series Bipap Auto here are my Pressure Setting: 15.0 cm-25.0 cm.
That is the back up battery pack I use.

[tonycog]

That one doesn't interest me because of the cost vs. the tine I can expect to get out of it. That battery costs $299. I would need to also spend $165 to get the over-priced machine-specific cord to power my Bi-PAP. And for that I can expect about 7 hours of run time. Too little time for too much $$. That's $464, which is about $30 more than I can get the bigger setup I linked to originally, including shipping.

Thanks,
Tony

[5aces]

This topic was discussed one month ago,so the information is still current and includes the smaller Duracell product.
Here are the relevant links for you:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45674&st=0&sk=t&sd=a#p409336

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45410&p=411137#p410029

[jdm5]

I went with this APC 1000VA UPS - http://www.amazon.com/APC-SUA1000-Smart ... 021&sr=8-7 for my Philips Respironics CPAP. It's pure sine wave, so no issue there.

I'm a fan of APC UPS's; this one allows you to disable any beeping using a Windows PC and the included USB cable. I left the 'replace battery' beeping enabled, however. 1000VA will last a LONG time, and I have a generator if I need to recharge it.

[SuperGeeky]

B & D Electromate 400, used with a DC Power Cord. With no humidification, will last a three or so nights. Simple solution, $100, has many other uses. That was my choice!!

If you need to travel, the other smaller batteries are needed... Those are specific to your CPAP and expensive.

Plenty of reviews for solutions on this web site (just search), though some discussions become quite technical. And, everyone has slightly different needs for backup power.

Good luck,

SG

[Pirateghost]

I use this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E6LEI2 unit. I tested it one night. It ran my machine and humidifier. I put one in my office too. I tend to like it better than the computer store models.

[TheDreamer]

Yep...I use a PowerSource 400. I have twice used it to run my cpap and stuff for when storms knocked out power in the evening before bedtime, and with no sign of when power might return (though each time it did after about 5 hours). I'm sure there'd be enough juice to keep going.

I like these PowerSource 400's so much there's 5 of them in my condo. One in the livingroom to back up my TiVo cable modem and associated networking. And, 3 in the bedroom next door....one for DSL modem, router, VoIP box and cordless phone....a computer on another, and a computer, switch, wireless access on another.

I also have 6 other UPSs in service in my condo....one of them being a SmartUPS 1250 (true sine-wave)....protects my rear projection TV (and more recorders).

I do have a PowerPack 600HD somewhere, but haven't used it.....

The Dreamer.

[ColinP]

I just use a great big deep cycle battery with a cable I soldered up myself. The battery cost a bit, but I can go a week with it. I've never had a power outage that lasted more than 12 hours, but I've had a holiday or two where I've had no mains power.

Obviously I have no heated humidifier when I've got no mains power, but I manage OK without it - I often leave my humidifier at home when travelling overnight as it's a pain to empty and pack.

[SuperGeeky]

ColinP wrote:
I just use a great big deep cycle battery with a cable I soldered up myself. The battery cost a bit, but I can go a week with it. I've never had a power outage that lasted more than 12 hours, but I've had a holiday or two where I've had no mains power.

I guess I would ask, do you have a problem storing the deep cycle battery indoors, fumes?? My DME told me to go with a Marine Deep Cycle battery...

Yep, I thought of using UPS, but I'd feel silly taking one camping. Same with the battery.

SG

[nomoore]

ColinP wrote:
I just use a great big deep cycle battery with a cable I soldered up myself. The battery cost a bit, but I can go a week with it. I've never had a power outage that lasted more than 12 hours, but I've had a holiday or two where I've had no mains power.

I guess I would ask, do you have a problem storing the deep cycle battery indoors, fumes?? My DME told me to go with a Marine Deep Cycle battery...

Yep, I thought of using UPS, but I'd feel silly taking one camping. Same with the battery.

SG

It depends on what deep cycle battery you get. The ones that use absorbed glass mat (AGM) technology are safe and don't release fumes at any dangerous or noticeable levels.

[SuperGeeky]

How much does the deep cycle Marine battery weigh??

SG

[Muse-Inc]

Anyone checked these batteries out? I'm freaked out by electricity..too many shocks as a kid I guess and I shorted out the one electricity lab set they bought me trying to build the flashlight & never did figure out how I did that . These batteries look less intimidating.

[ColinP]

It weighs far too much - just under 30kg. (There are lighter ones available, but they were out of stock when I bought, but I don't regret getting a monster).

I'm not particularly stressed about a little hydrogen being released when it charges - I only trickle charge it, and even then only about once a month (less often in practice), and it doesn't give of a lot of gas like that.

You could just use the car battery when camping, but they're not designed to be discharged deeply, and there is always the danger of it going flat. The battery cost me less than a weekend's camping trip would have, and it's saved my bacon during many power outages, and I'm happy with it, but then not everyone has the sort of decor that compliments a dirty great battery next to their bed

[bearded_two]

A marine battery is not necessarily a deep cycle battery, it is usually a compromise between a start battery and a deep cycle battery. It is best to use a deep cycle battery with a CPAP machine.

An AGM deep cycle battery is best for situations where weight is not a consideration, and a lithium based battery, such as a Li-ion battery is best for situations where weight is a primary consideration.

I have heard that a new sort of battery may be coming out that is better than lithium batteries; is is supposed to be cheaper and 3x the capacity of Li-ion. It will be interesting to see if this new sort of battery materializes.