Question for the Wisdom of the Group on Power Failures

[crab-legs]

A better solution would be IV feeding. There really is no medical need for an NG tube at all.

Hmm, something ELSE you're quite wrong about.

NG tubes are used for far more than just 'feeding'. and "IV feeding" isn't 'feeding. all it's doing is pumping in sugar water.

Not something else, since I wasn't wrong before.

NG tubes for me weren't and won't ever be necessary. Maybe for others.

[crab-legs]

Many manufacturers recommend against using an extension cord with their devices of all types. With the exception of high current devices such as microwave ovens and major appliances, the extension cord warnings are nothing but CYA statements. The manufacturers did not seek UL approval for their device with an extension cord, so the dire warnings are intended to shield them from liability. As long as the cord is in good condition, it is totally fine for a CPAP machine.

It is true that completely discharging a convention lead acid battery will damage it. However, you can operate a CPAP for much longer than “a few minutes” before that becomes a concern. Besides, if I’m operating my machine from a car battery because of a flood, storm, or whatever, replacing the battery later is pretty low on my list of things to worry about.

If you are going to be using the battery for CPAP regularly though, a deep cycle version would be a better choice. These have purposely-mismatched plates to avoid damage.

Btw, lithium-ion batteries can also be damaged by complete discharge ....

Thanks for the info. BPS, the maker of my Freedom CPAP li-ion batteries, said their batteries shut off from running a CPAP when low, like at around 3-5%, which i have confirmed. The guy told me they do however leave a minor charge in them even at 0%, in case you are stranded and need to charge a cell phone a little, to make an emergency call.

Also, I plug my hair dryer, paper shredder, and window air conditioning unit directly into a wall outlet. But I plug my shop vac into a power strip. Go figure.

[Kiralynx]

You are not supposed to use an extension cord:

http://incenter.medical.philips.com/doc ... D11405972

page 7:

"Supplying AC Power to the Device
Complete the following steps to operate the device using AC power:
1. Plug the socket end of the AC power cord (included) into the power supply (also included).
2. Plug the pronged end of the AC power cord into an electrical outlet that is not controlled by a wall switch.

[...]

Caution: Do not use extension cords with this device"

You might want to advise all the hotels and motels and other boarding facilities worldwide of this fact. I had two options last weekend.

Use an extension cord.

-or-

Do without my CPAP.

The second is not a valid option.

[ChicagoGranny]

Yeah, I was just exposing how some people on twitter think they know, but they don't.

The same holds true for cpaptalk.

Not something else, since I wasn't wrong before.

[chunkyfrog]

I generally travel with a power strip, for charging our phones and other things.
I always unplug the hotel's clock radio to make way for my cpap.
If it needs re-setting, so be it.
I may even do it myself--or leave a nice tip for the maid.
My phone has all the alarms I need.

[hueyville]

Having had a whole house backup generator for 27 years I find people seemingly believe that the power grid is a given entity that will always work and not already have some in place energy backup almost a utopian mythological idea. I operate several businesses under a single corporate umbrella of which one is emergency power system maintenance and installation. Have spells where Ma Bell will do a major upgrade and then it becomes my prime business. Had to basically shut down my two other businesses except for each of their primary decades old clients for 3.5 years during the 3G to 4G cellular switch over. As an FYI the FCC mandates the telecoms have ten hours power backup once power goes down but based on region/wire station that can vary.

If your in the parts of Cali with power shut down expect your phones and Internet to follow if it's extemded. Where I live in N.E. GA we generally have grid down from ice storms, vehicles hitting power poles, winds taking down trees, substation failures, etc at least two to four weeks per year and have gone up to three weeks straight without power. My BiPAP ASV is tethered to a UPS with an external telecom battery that will run ten nights when plug the big battery into the jack installed in the UPS. My UPS with its built in batteries will run the BiPAP for almost three full nights. I plug the big battery into the UPS one night per week to ensure it stays topped off.

In addition to having a tri-fuel whole house generator for grid down (natural gas, propane or gasoline) have a pair of Honda inverter generators in garage with a pairing cable that allows them to be tethered together so can get enough power to run the critical systems in the house. Also have over 60 large 100 amp/hour telecom batteries in racks in our basement that pick up the slack while go flip the manual swith have whole house generator on as like to be the one to make the decision to go onto our generator. Also Georgia Power has a $10 per month service called Surge Arrest that is installed at your meter that prevents power surges from entering the structure with a $50,000 insurance coverage for systems damaged if a surge gets through.

About 1/4 of my friends have added this service but most see it as unnecessary money to add to utility bills but will drop $100 on dinner and drinks most Friday or Saturday evenings. We had a surge before this service was offered eat a $300 control board in our electric range and a few other things that could not be put on UPS's or otherwise protected which totalled about $600 in damages with a $500 deductible on insurance so skipped filing a claim and risking insurance price hike. After thirty years of working in power backup, green energy systems, solar and other power solutions I cannot comprehend anyone, especially with how precarious the grid is in Cali due to fixed rates and regulations on cutting brush and trees back from the lines that cause damage to lines and fires. I have my own well backing up our municipal water supply which we can keep water even if municipal and electric grid go down. Considering the cost of a home a whole house generator is a something everyone should have.

[jpek]

CapnLoki, I sent you a PM.

[chunkyfrog]

We had a major short at my mother-in-law's house, which blew out a TV, microwave, 2 computers,
washer and dryer, and misc. small appliances--all covered by her homeowner's insurance.
Always check with your insurance carrier on what may ALREADY BE COVERED.
No sense paying double premiums, as you will not be paid more than ONCE.