How do I connect alligator clips to an AGM battery for CPAP?

[mileena]

I might get a 35 AH AGM travel battery like one of the following:


$79.99:
https://www.batteriesplus.com/productde ... gLhHfD_BwE

agm1.jpg (59.41 KiB) Viewed 17658 times

$99.99:
https://www.batteriesplus.com/productde ... gI6PfD_BwE

agm2.jpg (53.06 KiB) Viewed 17658 times

Both seem identical and are sold by the same retailer, except the price is different.

How do I connect the terminals of the above AGM batteries to alligator clips:

allig.jpg (35.18 KiB) Viewed 17658 times

I am only used to top post and side post car batteries. Why do AGM batteries have such weird terminals?

I will also connect the above female 12V DC socket to the adapter below for my Philips Dreamstation:

https://www.thecpapshop.com/shielded-dc ... ter-socket

[mileena]

Also, is this a good battery charger for a 35 AH AGM: 10/6/2 AMP:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Schumacher-1 ... r/17013273

charge-2.jpg (152.03 KiB) Viewed 17652 times

[jim22]

I would probably make up some cables that attach to the battery with screws and nuts, but I am an engineer, so I'm comfortable doing stuff like that. I'm not sure I've seen commercially available cables that would work. If such things are not in your skill set, maybe an electrician, mechanic, or hobbyist could help?
Jim

[Jussumguy]

Clip red to plus terminal. Black to minus

The harbor freight battery is on sale this weekend for $45. The charger is built in, has 2 cigarette lighter ports and a usb plug. And a light...

[mileena]

I would probably make up some cables that attach to the battery with screws and nuts, but I am an engineer, so I'm comfortable doing stuff like that. I'm not sure I've seen commercially available cables that would work. If such things are not in your skill set, maybe an electrician, mechanic, or hobbyist could help?
Jim

Thanks Jim. I am not that handy, so I would have to buy something commercially. Either that, or just clip the alligator clips to the battery posts!

[mileena]

Clip red to plus terminal. Black to minus

The harbor freight battery is on sale this weekend for $45. The charger is built in, has 2 cigarette lighter ports and a usb plug. And a light...

I did not know that! Plus I have a 25% off coupon for them!

EDIT: I found the battery too, in an email! I might get two:

hft.jpg (101.61 KiB) Viewed 17643 times

[palerider]

I am only used to top post and side post car batteries. Why do AGM batteries have such weird terminals?

So you can bolt wires to the battery.

[mileena]

I am only used to top post and side post car batteries. Why do AGM batteries have such weird terminals?

So you can bolt wires to the battery.

Ok. Thank you. But in the case of a CPAP machine, there is no way to connect the Philips DreamStatiion 12V DC male plug (the kind you plug into a cigarette lighter outlet in your car) (or alligator clips) to the AGM battery then without complex wiring that you have to hire an electrician for.

[palerider]

I am only used to top post and side post car batteries. Why do AGM batteries have such weird terminals?

So you can bolt wires to the battery.

Ok. Thank you. But in the case of a CPAP machine, there is no way to connect the Philips DreamStatiion 12V DC male plug (the kind you plug into a cigarette lighter outlet in your car) (or alligator clips) to the AGM battery then without complex wiring that you have to hire an electrician for.

Here's one option: https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GC018-Adapt ... B00G8WLW2Y

Or, as was previously mentioned...

Clip red to plus terminal. Black to minus

[CapnLoki]

I might get a 35 AH AGM travel battery like one of the following: ...

The answer is: don't use alligator clips! They are only for attended, short term use; NOT for sleeping!

The alternative is quite simple. The BatteryTender chargers (plus a few other chargers) come with "quick connect" cables, such is this:
https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-0 ... B000NCOKZQ
This has a built in fuse and connects to the charger. The terminals are color coded, Red to + or POS, Black to - or NEG.

While the above cable is included with the BatteryTender, you have to add the one below to provide a socket for your 12 volt cord:
https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-0 ... B0041CDPQO

Once this is setup, you simply unplug the charger and plug in the socket. It can be done in the dark, which is often when its needed.

[CapnLoki]

Also, is this a good battery charger for a 35 AH AGM: 10/6/2 AMP:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Schumacher-1 ... r/17013273


charge-2.jpg

This is a good charger but overkill for a small battery. For most people this is a good charger to leave in the garage. For charging a backup battery I would use a BatteryTender, which comes in three sizes, 0.75 amps, 1.25 amps, and 5 amps (plus a few others).

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-0 ... B00EDFPN1O
(This link should show all the BT chargers, for you I'd pick the 5 amp.)

This is small enough to tuck into a battery box with the battery (double check the size!), and you don't have to use clumsy alligator clips - it has the quick connect plus. The big charger can charger a bit faster, but the battery will only accept about 8 amps (at most) for much of its cycle so its not that much of a difference. With the 35 ah battery you can go several days, and then hopefully you can find an outlet for a few hours of charge. The charge rate slows as it fills, so it takes a long time for any charger to get to 100%.

I don't know your circumstances, but if you have a place of work or a friend where you can leave a battery overnight you could have two batteries (both with the quick connect cable) and swap them every few days.

[Rob K]

It's a good idea to have battery box also so the battery doesn't accidentally get shorted across the exposed terminals during transport. You can get battery box or a cheap sturdy plastic box like a tool box and drill a hole for the cord that bolts onto the battery posts. Or you can just run your cpap cord in through the loose cover when your using it. This will keep all the connections contained inside the box and the only thing coming out will be the cord going to your cpap. Like said you can store other things in the box as long as they are not going to be moving around and shorting the battery terminals together.

Some battery boxes come with a 12v socket built in to the box so all you have to do is plug in your cpap cord. When I bought mine they were around $40-70. They tend to be for bigger batteries so you will have extra room if you put a smaller battery in it. I haven't really looked for a small box with 12v socket. Maybe it does exist. Also keep an eye on your cords for any signs of damage or wear. You don't want to start a fire, especially when your sleeping.

[dreamingofdreaming]

The answer is: don't use alligator clips! They are only for attended, short term use; NOT for sleeping

Is there a safety issue with this? The cables that I purchased for my back up are alligator clips. This is only for power loss, not long term.

[CapnLoki]

The answer is: don't use alligator clips! They are only for attended, short term use; NOT for sleeping

Is there a safety issue with this? The cables that I purchased for my back up are alligator clips. This is only for power loss, not long term.

Anyone who has jump started a car knows that there is serious juice in one of these batteries - easily enough to melt a screwdriver or metal box that falls over the terminals and/or start a fire. Any battery like this should have the terminals protected, ideally in a box or with boots or even tape. Alligator clips totally defeat this safety precaution and can create a hazard by themselves.

When you say "only for power loss" you're really saying when the lights go out you'll hook up the alligator clips in the dark and then go to sleep. This may work 99% of the time but I don't like those odds.

[Goofproof]

The answer is: don't use alligator clips! They are only for attended, short term use; NOT for sleeping

Is there a safety issue with this? The cables that I purchased for my back up are alligator clips. This is only for power loss, not long term.

Anyone who has jump started a car knows that there is serious juice in one of these batteries - easily enough to melt a screwdriver or metal box that falls over the terminals and/or start a fire. Any battery like this should have the terminals protected, ideally in a box or with boots or even tape. Alligator clips totally defeat this safety precaution and can create a hazard by themselves.

When you say "only for power loss" you're really saying when the lights go out you'll hook up the alligator clips in the dark and then go to sleep. This may work 99% of the time but I don't like those odds.

You get what you sow, use cheap you get cheap, I use Mueller, they are well made, all clips and wireing can be pulled off if you are stupid. Planning prevents many problems as does Common and even Uncommon Sense. Fuses are your friend as is tape and securing wires. Jim

Also proper soldering makes a good connection, but tends to break at the connection from movement! As I said, plan ahead.