Overseas travel with CPAP

[Jakesimah]

I'm traveling to Israel for a couple of weeks and have a couple of CPAP questions.

1. Do I need a power converter or just an adapter for my Philips DreamStation? The med supply company I got it from didn't know.
2. I've r ad on here that you can use filtered water if you run out of distilled, but for how long? I'm sure I'll be able to buy distilled but not sure if it will be right away.

Thanks for the advice!

[dvejr]

Some of us have never used distilled water. I use tap water, and just clean out the mineral deposits from my reservoir. Certainly when traveling, worrying about the water makes no sense.

Your CPAP machine will have information on it indicating its electrical specifications. It is highly-likely (but you need to check) that it says "110-240 Volt, 50-60 Hz" on it.

The web can tell you the physical dimensions of Israeli electrical receptacles. To successfully insert a foreign plug, it is normally the case that a small physical plug adapter is necessary. I say normally because some receptacles can host 2 or more different plug shapes. And I say "physical" because it only changes the geometry of the plug - it doesn't change the electricity flowing through it.

[RogerSC]

Yes, you do need to check. If your cpap has a power brick, it will say on it 100-240V, or 110-240V, or something like that, most likely. That's what the power brick for the ResMed that I have says. Worked fine in Europe directly plugged into wall power (using a plug adapting power strip, in my case *smile*). If there's no power brick or wall wart, and it plugs directly into the wall, there will be a label on the bottom or back that has this on it.

Nearly all power bricks and wall warts are this way, and have been for years. But still, checking is worth your while.

You can look up plug adapters on the internet, there's lots of information on this for tourists *smile*. Web sites like Magellans or Amazon can also be helpful for actually purchasing, once you know what you're looking for.

I also use tap water when traveling in general. Then wash out the tank when I get home.

[ChicagoGranny]

Do I need a power converter or just an adapter for my Philips DreamStation?

Power supply in Israel is 220V. Your machine is rated 100 - 240V, so you don't need a converter. People travel with CPAP machines a lot, so the major manufacturers design them to not need converters.

You will need a plug adapter for Israel. Just about any on this page is fine - http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywor ... x8r769v4_b

I've r ad on here that you can use filtered water if you run out of distilled, but for how long?

The reason distilled is recommended is to avoid mineral buildup in the humidifier tank. But, as dvejr stated, if you do get mineral buildup, you can clean the tank when you get home.

I never bother to get distilled water when traveling. Any drinkable water will do.

[Jakesimah]

Thanks for the advice! It does have the "120-240V on the label, so adapter it is! And bottled water everywhere in Israel, so I'll use that and wash well when I get home.

Five days and a wake up!

[Guest]

I suggest bringing an extension cord and outlet strip in case the rooms outlets are not conveniently placed for your cpap and other electronic needs.

[JVincent]

Wow, I am shocked! I downloaded both the user manual and the data sheet for the Philips Dreamstation and all it mentions is to "connect AC power". Nowhere in the specifications is there an electrical specification section with more information on this. Luckily, the brick itself says 110-220v 50/60Hz, but that is still risky. If "AC" is the only requirement, I could plug it in to some 480v socket and possibly fry myself.

[palerider]

Wow, I am shocked! I downloaded both the user manual and the data sheet for the Philips Dreamstation and all it mentions is to "connect AC power". Nowhere in the specifications is there an electrical specification section with more information on this. Luckily, the brick itself says 110-220v 50/60Hz, but that is still risky. If "AC" is the only requirement, I could plug it in to some 480v socket and possibly fry myself.

yer funny. of course the proper place to search for electrical requirements are on the device, or the separate power supply.

power supplies might be changed, and it'd be stupid, and expensive, to have to reprint all the manuals.

and, if you're the type to plug your home grade cpap into a 480v circuit, perhaps the gene pool is better of with a bit of sizzle.

[Hang Fire]

I could plug it in to some 480v socket and possibly fry myself.

You would deserve the treatment.

[palerider]

Just remember, folks, no matter what JVincent thinks, this is NOT the proper way to hook up your CPAP:

[chunkyfrog]

Higher voltages would have a different receptacle; and there would be no adaptor to allow you to use it.
Unless it were built by a mad scientist!