using cpap in a car

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
sangre

using cpap in a car

Post by sangre » Tue Jun 28, 2011 4:45 pm

Is there a way where I can use my cpap in my car? If there is some sort of adopter to use, please provide the name, approximate cost and where I can purchase. Thank you very much for any information you can provide.

HoseCrusher
Posts: 2744
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 6:42 pm

Re: using cpap in a car

Post by HoseCrusher » Tue Jun 28, 2011 4:48 pm

CPAP is designed to help sleep breathing. When you are driving you are awake. Not the same thing.

_________________
Mask: Brevida™ Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Machine is an AirSense 10 AutoSet For Her with Heated Humidifier.
SpO2 96+% and holding...

sam1234
Posts: 118
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:07 pm

Re: using cpap in a car

Post by sam1234 » Tue Jun 28, 2011 4:54 pm

sangre wrote:Is there a way where I can use my cpap in my car? If there is some sort of adopter to use, please provide the name, approximate cost and where I can purchase. Thank you very much for any information you can provide.
Perhaps more information could be provided?

type of machine
awake or not awake in vehicle.
vehicle running with someone else driving
vehicle stationary and not running.


sangre

Re: using cpap in a car

Post by sangre » Tue Jun 28, 2011 4:56 pm

Oppppps, I meant when someone is driving and I want to get some sleep in the back seat. Is there something I can use to plug into the car lighter?

User avatar
Otter
Posts: 1063
Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2011 5:02 pm

Re: using cpap in a car

Post by Otter » Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:05 pm

Yes, but we still need to know your specific machine to answer. Some of the machines can run directly off anything close to 12 volts. Others are much more picky and would need more line conditioning to function in a car with the engine running. You might even need an inverter to provide 120 VAC.

_________________
Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Software: SleepyHead 0.9 beta

HoseCrusher
Posts: 2744
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 6:42 pm

Re: using cpap in a car

Post by HoseCrusher » Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:58 pm

OK, that changes everything.

The easiest would be to simply get an inverter and plug your machine in like you do at home. With the vehicle running there should be no issues with the battery going dead on you.

_________________
Mask: Brevida™ Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Machine is an AirSense 10 AutoSet For Her with Heated Humidifier.
SpO2 96+% and holding...

User avatar
archangle
Posts: 9294
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 11:55 am

Re: using cpap in a car

Post by archangle » Tue Jun 28, 2011 7:21 pm

Respironics says not to plug the 12V DC adapter into the car while the car is running.

I'm nervous about using inverters. If it's a square wave inverter or a "modified sine wave" inverter, the waveform "seen" by the CPAP machine's power supply doesn't look like the correct voltage.

Lots of people have used modified sine wave inverters successfully, though. Even if it works, I'm a little afraid that it may stress the power supply. It depends on the CPAP machine's power supply design. Some designs won't care or will shut down gracefully. Some won't. I don't know enough to know which manufacturers designs can handle it well.

A "pure sine wave" inverter would be safer, but much more expensive.

DON'T!!!! have any water in the humidifier when the CPAP is in the car, even if you're not running it.

_________________
Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Also SleepyHead, PRS1 Auto, Respironics Auto M series, Legacy Auto, and Legacy Plus
Please enter your equipment in your profile so we can help you.
Click here for information on the most common alternative to CPAP.
If it's midnight and a DME tells you it's dark outside, go and check for yourself.

Useful Links.

User avatar
OutaSync
Posts: 2048
Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2007 8:49 am
Location: Virginia

Re: using cpap in a car

Post by OutaSync » Tue Jun 28, 2011 7:38 pm

Or, you could buy a CPAP battery.

_________________
Mask: Mirage™ SoftGel Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments:  3M MediporeTape, Respironics Premium chinstrap, CMS 60D Oximeter
Diagnosed 9/4/07
Sleep Study Titrated to 19 cm H2O
Rotating between Activa and Softgel
11/2/07 RemStar M Series Auto with AFlex 14-17
10/17/08 BiPAP Auto SV 13/13-23, BPM Auto, AHI avg <1

User avatar
GumbyCT
Posts: 5776
Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2007 6:22 pm
Location: CT
Contact:

Re: using cpap in a car

Post by GumbyCT » Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:10 pm

OutaSync wrote:Or, you could buy a CPAP battery.
Or a car jump starter even

_________________
Humidifier: HC150 Heated Humidifier With Hose, 2 Chambers and Stand
Additional Comments: New users can't remember they can't remember YET!
BeganCPAP31Jan2007;AHI<0.5
I have no doubt, how I sleep affects every waking moment.
I am making progress-NOW I remember that I can't remember
;)
If this isn’t rocket science why are there so many spaceshots?
Be your own healthcare advocate!