Tent Camping w/CPAP

[LaurieP]

Quick questions: What cheap hook up would work for my machine since we will not have electricity and I don't have $250 right now to buy the nice battery back up??

Thanks for any information you may pass on.

Laurie

[DreamDiver]

Quick questions: What cheap hook up would work for my machine since we will not have electricity and I don't have $250 right now to buy the nice battery back up??

Thanks for any information you may pass on.

Laurie

Cheap emergency batteries for restarting cars are not made to be drained entirely - which is what would happen if you tried to use the CPAP on one of these. After one or two nights, the battery would no longer be chargeable. And you would still have to find a place to charge it all day for as long as it does work. And these "cheap" batteries cost about $75 to $100 a piece anyway.

JohnBFisher has outlined best practices for a backup battery.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=89123

Scenario 1
The least you could get away with for your machine for a three-night weekend:
100 Amp-Hour (or more) deep cycle marine battery: $275 - $400. (Enough to last three nights)
Marine battery charger: $50 - $100 (To make sure it's charged before you go, and possibly take with you if you have a way to charge it during the day.)

On top of the battery, you'll also need the PRS1 battery adapter.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/dc-pow ... hines.html
($30)
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... cable.html
($25)

Scenario 2
Buy the above deep cycle marine battery and a marine charger.
Buy a car power invertor capable of powering your cpap via regular AC socket. ($50)
Turn off heat in the hose and humidifier to reduce drain on your marine battery so it lasts longer and the CPAP doesn't fry your invertor.
Connect the invertor to your battery and connect the AC plug of the CPAP into your invertor.
That should get you about two or so nights sleep.


Scenario 3
Rent a small generator for about $50 per day. You'll also need to buy generator fuel and have plenty of extension cord so that the generator isn't close to your tent (noise) or near any neighbors. Also, there may be park regulations about generators that you'll want to check first.

Other thoughts
The battery method is least offensive with regards to noise, smoke and will likely fit any park regulations.

If camping is this weekend, it may be too late to acquire the CPAP battery adapter items you'll need, so scenario 2 seems most doable. Otherwise, it looks like you may need to either stay home or do without. I'd highly recommend against doing without. I'm sorry for the bad news.

[RandyJ]

Remember that with any battery setup you would not be able to use the humidifier. You can leave it connected with water in it to supply some moisture in passover mode, but setting must be turned to "0" (off). Humidifiers use too much power to be able to use them with a battery.