CPAP Camping

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 11:04 pm

ColoZZZ wrote:Does anyone know roughly how many Amp Hours are in a standard motorcycle battery?

There is no standard size, size can vary from 12aH on up. They are maintenance free lead acid. Check at Wal-Mart, they have them, very similar in size to what you have now while you can find smaller. They ship the battery with the acid in a seperate bag inside the box, you put it in yourself once you buy the battery (extends shelf life). I don't think those can be used in any direction like the sealed lead acid batteries can.

As mentioned you have to be careful with some of the smaller batteries, they limit the initial and standby current to either 1.2amp or 2.4amp, that can be a problem with some machines like the M series (found out the hard way), it has higher in-rush current requirements and the machine can shut off if the initial current delivery on the battery is not high enough. If you get a SLA battery make sure it says "unlimited" written on the side of the battery, then it won't have that problem. The ones that can create the problem have a chart on the side and say "Initial=1.2amp and Standby=2.4amp). If you put 2ea 6volts in series you can get by with that as it then becomes 2.4amp and 4.8amp respectively.

A marine or deep cycle battery is really not needed, most of today's cpap machines will shut off if the power drops too much where they cannot deliver their prescribed pressure, so they automatically shut off. This prevents the machine from totally discharging the battery to the point where it would cause a battery failure. A typical SLA battery will last 3-5 years, about the same as a automotive battery.

Craig-Tx · Post by **Craig-Tx** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:21 am

I'm not sure of the power rating of a motorcycle battery, however, I would assume that a motor cycle battery is similar to a standard car battery.

Most car batteries are designed to provide a large amount of current for a short time (starting the car). They are not designed to be drained completely, only a small discharge during the vehicle starting, then recharged by the vehicle's alternator.

Although they can be drained significantly a few times, for most batteries, that will severely decrease their life.

Marine batteries (also known as deep cycle batteries) are just the opposite. They are not designed to offer a large amount of current, but they can safely be drained and recharged many times. Originally designed for use operating electronics on a boat where it will not be re-charged continuously.

This would be the best type of battery for running a CPAP for long periods without recharging.

I am sure that you *can* use a motorcycle battery several times, however you may not get the fully rated life out of it.

Some good information is here:
http://www.yuasabatteries.com/motor_battery.asp
About half way down look for "How Long Will My Battery Last"

sleepingBear · Post by **sleepingBear** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:20 am

Check out this solution.

http://www.episteme-software.com/cpap.html

It's a bit more expensive, but the battery is fairly small and the hook up is easy. Besides, this give you the option of also powering\charging your other devices and I can charge the battery from AC\DC\Airplanes.

This is what i've done and it works well and is not overly heavy.

SidecarMike · Post by **SidecarMike** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:38 am

ColoZZZ wrote:Does anyone know roughly how many Amp Hours are in a standard motorcycle battery?

It depends on the size. Most are smaller than you would expect. My Valkyrie has a 22a.h., my Yamaha XS1100 is a 21 ah, and the Harley V-Rod only has a 12ah.
Most of them are tall and skinny, so they tip easily. Get yourself a gel or staturated mat one instead of an acid filled.
Hint: Ones for electric wheelchairs are usually around 50ah. and don't cost a whole lot more than bike ones.
http://www.ebatteriestogo.com/SpecSheet ... bility.pdf

ColoZZZ · Post by **ColoZZZ** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:02 pm

Thanks for all the help guys. I'm rethinking it but if I do it, I'll probably go with something like this:

http://www.batterymart.com/p-12v-18ah-s ... ery-2.html

Pleasant dreams,

--Andy

leonardlake · Post by **leonardlake** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:04 am

My 150cc motor scooter has a 9Ah battery. Standard is probably more like 12Ah. For car camping I use a fairly heavy jump starter that has cigarette lighter socket and an 18 Ah battery inside. It has run my PB 420S for three nights without a recharge. I have not attempted to use my heated humidifier camping.

SidecarMike · Post by **SidecarMike** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 1:55 pm

[quote="leonardlake"]My 150cc motor scooter has a 9Ah battery. Standard is probably more like 12Ah. For car camping I use a fairly heavy jump starter that has cigarette lighter socket and an 18 Ah battery inside. It has run my PB 420S for three nights without a recharge. I have not attempted to use my heated humidifier camping.

ColoZZZ · Post by **ColoZZZ** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:42 am

Even though I will most likely get a sealed lead acid battery (SLAB), how do you find out how many Amp-hours a regular motor cycle battery has? The staff in the auto parts store were pretty clueless with the question ("...a guy asked me that once...") and there was nothing in the battery specs that they had on hand.

Thanks,

-Andy

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:53 am

ColoZZZ wrote:Even though I will most likely get a sealed lead acid battery (SLAB), how do you find out how many Amp-hours a regular motor cycle battery has? The staff in the auto parts store were pretty clueless with the question ("...a guy asked me that once...") and there was nothing in the battery specs that they had on hand.

Thanks,

-Andy

There is no such thing as a "Regular Motorcycle Battery", as with cars, there are many sizes and voltages and amp ratings. You buy the one that fits the app, and physical size requirements. One size does not fit all.

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SidecarMike · Post by **SidecarMike** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 12:25 pm

[quote="ColoZZZ"]Even though I will most likely get a sealed lead acid battery (SLAB), how do you find out how many Amp-hours a regular motor cycle battery has? The staff in the auto parts store were pretty clueless with the question ("...a guy asked me that once...") and there was nothing in the battery specs that they had on hand.

Thanks,

-Andy

SidecarMike · Post by **SidecarMike** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:07 pm

I've been doing a little more research. The Respironics $324 battery pack is a 14.4ah battery. They claim that the M Series will run 26 hours on a single charge. If that is true, then almost any of the battery jump start units that are so popular will do as well. For serious campers, the better ones have compressors and flashlights built in. Even the best ones are under $100!

ColoRiverFun · Post by **ColoRiverFun** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:24 am

So is there any reason not to use a jumpstart pack?

If I understand this right, and I doubt I do (lol)...I can run a plug from my M Series to a cigarette lighter port on the jumpstart unit. I can still use the humidifier attached to the cpap as usual (as long it is not plugged in) as a passover (which means it is humidified, just not heated). If I get a jumstart unit that is 18/19 Amp hours I will have plenty of power, given that I can plug it into an AC source for 6-8 hours a day (just not at night while I am sleepin by the river). And all for under $80.

Is there any reason I shouldnt use a jumpstart unit like this (just an example)?

[url]http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... ew&i=72063

I have the REMStar Pro w/ C-flex and Heated Humidifier FYI.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 1:38 am

ColoRiverFun wrote:So is there any reason not to use a jumpstart pack?

If I understand this right, and I doubt I do (lol)...I can run a plug from my M Series to a cigarette lighter port on the jumpstart unit. I can still use the humidifier attached to the cpap as usual (as long it is not plugged in) as a passover (which means it is humidified, just not heated). If I get a jumstart unit that is 18/19 Amp hours I will have plenty of power, given that I can plug it into an AC source for 6-8 hours a day (just not at night while I am sleepin by the river). And all for under $80.

Is there any reason I shouldnt use a jumpstart unit like this (just an example)?

[url]http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... ew&i=72063

I have the REMStar Pro w/ C-flex and Heated Humidifier FYI.

They work fine, it has a 19ah battery inside it will run you several nights easily. I have the Costco PowerStation, it has a built-in compressor, jump start and built-in light. Had it several years it works fine also.

SidecarMike · Post by **SidecarMike** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 6:15 am

ColoRiverFun wrote:So is there any reason not to use a jumpstart pack?

If I understand this right, and I doubt I do (lol)...I can run a plug from my M Series to a cigarette lighter port on the jumpstart unit. I can still use the humidifier attached to the cpap as usual (as long it is not plugged in) as a passover (which means it is humidified, just not heated). If I get a jumstart unit that is 18/19 Amp hours I will have plenty of power, given that I can plug it into an AC source for 6-8 hours a day (just not at night while I am sleepin by the river). And all for under $80.

Is there any reason I shouldnt use a jumpstart unit like this (just an example)?

[url]http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... ew&i=72063

I have the REMStar Pro w/ C-flex and Heated Humidifier FYI.

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Exactly, according to Respironics description, http://global.respironics.com/UserGuide ... nglish.pdf , your chioce has more storage capacity than theirs. of course, you won't get that nifty bag with the Overton one, but you could probably come up with something with the savings.

WNJ · Post by **WNJ** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 7:17 am

ColoZZZ wrote:Even though I will most likely get a sealed lead acid battery (SLAB), how do you find out how many Amp-hours a regular motor cycle battery has? The staff in the auto parts store were pretty clueless with the question ("...a guy asked me that once...") and there was nothing in the battery specs that they had on hand.

Starting batteries (for motorcycles or for cars) are not rated for amp-hour capacity because they are not intended for deep cycle use. Sure, they will work for that purpose, but not for long. Therefore, they carry no amp-hour rating.

True deep cycle batteries are not rated for cold-cranking-amps, because they are not intended for starting use. They are rated for amp-hours.

Marine batteries are usually rated both ways, amp-hour and CCA. They’re built as a compromise. They will work for both purposes, but not so well for either purpose as a specialized battery.

Wayne

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