Before you spend a ridiculous amount of money, read this.

cycling CPAP user · Post by **cycling CPAP user** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 8:50 pm

After doing some research I am purchasing the components required to operate my CPAP using DC power. This was after I contacted the place I purchased it from & heard the cost for the DC power supply cord, $75.00. No way am I going to spend that for a power supply cord!

So I contacted Respironics & spoke with a tech guy. He told me of a web site where a person can purchase CPAP accessories, it is called cpapman.com. Here is the address: http://www.cpapman.com/

I already know it requires 3 amps max for DC power. So as long as I have a power supply cord that can draw a minimum of that I should be good to go. On the cpapman web site I found a sketch on how to power a CPAP machine with a DC power source & got a pretty good idea on what components are required. Here is the link to that page: http://www.cpapman.com/supplies.htm#anchor170754 The schematic I'm using is the Battery Backup Schematic. The only thing I'm leaving out is the "Trickle Charger".

After visiting my local Radio Shack store & Wal-Mart I can get all the components needed to operate my CPAP with DC power for about $65.00. This includes the battery. If I purchase the power supply from my health care store it is $75.00 for the cord & $45.00 for the battery at Wal-Mart. So between Radio Shack & Wal-Mart I get everything I need & save money.

The reason I need to use DC power to operate my machine is because I love camping in a tent, sometimes in areas where there is no electricity available & a generator is to expensive & noisy at night.

So before you purchase the DC power supply cord from your home health provider you may want to consider visiting your Radio Shack first.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 9:02 pm

Yes the DMEs are out to get you whenever they can. The connector they get 75 bucks for costs 30 at online suppliers and 6 bucks at radio shack. Others have posted their backup power supplies here . Do a search under backup ower. Welcome to the forum. You can also get 1 of those jump starters at walmart for 40-70 bucks depending on the size. They even have a power port in them.

Thanks for the info.

cycling CPAP user · Post by **cycling CPAP user** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 11:10 pm

I did look at the jump starters. But was not to impressed with them. I do not think they'll give me what I'm looking for.

By that I mean that I've done a bike ride called RAGBRAI. Visit http://www.ragbrai.com/ for more info. I went with my bike club. At all of the overnight towns we camped in tents. No electricity available to power a device like a CPAP, unless a person uses DC power. RAGBRAI lasts for 7 days, 6 nights. One of those jump start devices will not provide enough DC power for 6 consecutive nights at 7 to 8 hrs. a night.

The deep cycle marine battery that I'm going to purchase will & still have enough power left over for probably 6 more nights before I need to recharge it. Granted the battery will weighs about 30 to 40 pounds. But it is worth it if it lasts that long.

During RAGBRAI our gear is hauled on a couple of straight trucks we rent, so transporting the battery will not be a problem & it will be in a plastic box to protect anyone from being exposed to anything that may leak out of it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 3:11 pm

I have used a 115 amp hr deep cycle battery for over 2 weeks with my PB 420E. I paid $60 for it at walmart . However, I did not buy this battery specifically for my cpap. If I were buying it for my cpap I would purchase a Gel battery. It can't spill. It does need a charger that works for Gel atteries. It also will not outgas when charging /discharging. http://www.mkbattery.com
You might also look into a solar charger.

I'm looking into a smaller unit that will last a few days.

Search "Power supply for airline use" posted 23 december for a great (expensive) system.

Chris