Battery for XPAP for Camping - What? How? Where? Help! :-)

Cliff · Post by **Cliff** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 1:36 am

Babette,

I purchased the Respironics battery backup from Direct Home Medical dot com.

http://www.directhomemedical.com/machin ... bipap.html

I decided against the single battery concept for several reasons. 1st, it is fine for camping but not so fine for traveling. I like the fact the Respironics backup comes in a nice little "respironics bag", that matches the bag my machine is in. From the direct home medical site:

PORTABLE BATTERY PACK SYSTEMS FOR CPAP & BiPAP
Battery Pack with M-Series CPAP/BiPAP Connectors
$339.00 + FREE SHIPPING !!!!! Respironics - Part Number 1028869 Each battery pack comes complete with EVERYTHING needed to power your system and recharge the battery pack including: Sealed Lead-Acid Battery, Convenient Travel Bag (pictured at right), Standard AC Cord for plugging in to US Wall Sockets, and 12V DC Cord for recharging from DC power sources (like "cigarette style" outlets) and powering your CPAP or BiPAP system.

NOW GO LOOK AT CPAP DOT COM: THEY CHARGE $349.99 FOR THE BATTERY AND ANOTHER $24.99 FOR THE 12v DC CORD FOR RECHARGING FROM DC POWER SOURCES. FOR A TOTAL OF $374.98.

Your "middle age intellectual"

Cliff

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 5:09 am

I got a Xantrex 400 power pack for $70 at amazon.com and shipping was free. I keep it plugged into my wall on a trickle charger. It was an easy solution. Here's a picture:

http://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-XPower-Po ... 764&sr=8-4

I'm not sure why they are so much more $$ now, it was some kind of a super sale at the time. Now the Xantrex 200 power pack is $70. It is lighter but has fewer amp hours, so won't run the machine as long.

Then I got a respironics 12 volt power cord. Here's the item:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... -cord.html

It plugs into a cigarette lighter socket, which the battery pack has. The battery pack has an inverter built in so you can plug a regular plug into that, but that is less efficient so it won't run the machine for near as long. Plus some humidifiers should not be plugged into a regular inverter. So, I plan to use the humidifier in passover mode when I use the battery power.

This is an AGM glass mat battery. I forgot what this means, but it's supposed to be a better technology for a battery pack, but they explain it on the xantrex website.

I don't understand batteries and how they work. I don't have time to find out right now, so I opted for a "plug and play" system that was under $100. Mainly this will help me through a power outage, but I may decide to take it camping some time.

ETA: I just noticed that they have a 10 amp hour solar unit from Xantrex. This looks cool. I'm not ready to rush out and buy it, but I may want to some day. Perhaps others with more knowledge might like to comment on this battery setup. http://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-Xpower-Po ... 764&sr=8-3

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, humidifier, Power

Roadie · Post by **Roadie** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:49 am

[quote="robbieh"]I really want to find a way to camp with a cpap but I am devastated because I am afraid I will never be able to go backpacking again. Trying to keep backpack weight down precludes having to carry 10 pounds of cpap equipment. I don't know what to leave home to make room for that. I already have minimalized as much as possible. Maybe I can tie a huge helium balloon to my pack...

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:31 am

Rosemary, I'm definitely interested in that setup!!! Must go investigate.

If I only use the humidifier in passover mode (set at zero) does that still count as "using the humidifier"? Or are you only talking about heat? If so, I'm good. I can't do HH in the summer anyway.

Robbie, contemplate truck camping and day to 1 night overnight hikes from base camp. Say you rolled up to the end of a logging road, and hiked in from there for one night with all your gear. Or just day hiked, and came back to base camp to sleep? Or maybe you need to invest in a small pack mule or sherpa.

All, I am definitely the car camper. In fact, I sleep in my car the majority of the time. But what I'm most interested in right now is the ability to roll into a living history encampment and be able to run my xpap at night. I can recharge in the staff office during the day.

Now, this will preclude me going into a canoe-only encampment that I used to love for 10 days, but maybe if the technology improves I can figure that out even. Some day.

Off to look at all your links.

THANK YOU PEOPLE SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!! I swear there are flat spots on my brain that just don't work very well. I attribute it to the time my mother went waterskiing when she was 7 months along with me...

LOL,
B.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:48 am

Found this while surfing for AGM batteries:
http://www.batterystuff.com/batteries/e ... 45977.html

50 amp hours for just under $100. Might be worth looking into for some of your long-term car campers. Of course, I have no idea who you're going to re-charge it...

LOL,
B.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:13 am

Robbie, this post is primarily for you and I, so we have a place to refer back to, when we forget this information.

Okay, we need:

1) A battery - your choice, for sake of argument, say it's a cheap deep cycle from the sporting good store - no plugs attached, no cables.

2) A Respironics, 12volt DC Battery Adapter Cable (Since we're both running Respironics equipment) - https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... cable.html - This attachs directly to the battery.

3) A 12 volt DC Power Cord (connects CPAP to cigarette lighter socket) - https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... -cord.html - This attachs to the above cable, and then to the xpap.

Soooooo.... If we chose the Xantrex or something similar route:
http://www.amazon.com/XANTREX-XPOWERPAC ... 104&sr=8-1

We'd only need that, plus the #3 power cord.

Cheers,
Barbara

plaws · Post by **plaws** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 1:07 pm

Murphy wrote:I live in Florida and I always have to worry about power outages. I couldn't figure out all of the options for battery operation.

Has anyone used a commercial (i.e. APC) UPS with their CPAP? I'd certainly be tempted if I had a lot of grid failures in my area. You'd have to read the CPAP's nameplate and get the current or power draw from the CPAP to see how long the UPS would run it. I can't imagine these guys draw much, unless you have the heater on.

goose · Post by **goose** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:20 pm

I would think that an APC UPS could handle it for a while, but you'd have to disconnect that obnoxious beep that tells you the AC is not there......

cheers
goose
KR6AP

Roadie · Post by **Roadie** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:13 pm

plaws wrote:
Murphy wrote:I live in Florida and I always have to worry about power outages. I couldn't figure out all of the options for battery operation.

Has anyone used a commercial (i.e. APC) UPS with their CPAP? I'd certainly be tempted if I had a lot of grid failures in my area. You'd have to read the CPAP's nameplate and get the current or power draw from the CPAP to see how long the UPS would run it. I can't imagine these guys draw much, unless you have the heater on.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP, Power

I have one and use it regularly. It is good for getting through short power outages. Over the years I have observed that most power outages are relatively short, in the 15 minute or less range. For me the APC backup will last around 30 minutes, so it works fine most of the time. Most of the reasonably priced ones will only last a short time. If the power stays out for long enough to drain the APC, then I will wake up and swap to the little CPAP.com battery.

All of those office type battery backups should have a switch to turn off that annoying buzzer. Most don't so I get out my trusty soldering iron and yank that thing right off.

Roadie

goose · Post by **goose** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:23 pm

Wow -- a 15 minute power outage. What a concept.
When ours goes out it's usually hours and sometimes a week or more!!!!!
Lately though, thankfully it's only been a few days at most....

I'd have to have a serious battery for that one!!!

Sorry -- I was having a good chuckle!!

cheers
goose

GARYHRX · Post by **GARYHRX** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 8:09 am

I thought when I was diagnosed and got my machine that my camping days were over. Not so just find a camp ground where the tent sites have an electric hookup. Not quite the same but it beats paying for a very expensive battery or a "Rube Goldberg" car battery set up. Remember life is all about choices and compromises.

robbieh · Post by **robbieh** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 8:09 am

My gosh, there are so many options! Because of my desire to backpack again, I'd likely go for a portable one and just go for no more than 2 nights out. I could limit myself to shorter sleeps to maximize the nights.

Thank you all for your great advice! Maybe next year, this might actually happen!

bryansong · Post by **bryansong** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 9:02 am

Maybe you can use solar power to recharge. Harbor freight has some options but I don't know how well they would work.

Bryansong

harborfreight.com

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 9:25 am

bryansong wrote:Maybe you can use solar power to recharge. Harbor freight has some options but I don't know how well they would work.

Bryansong

harborfreight.com

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The Xantrex with built in solar on Amazon.com is 16 lbs shipping weight. Although the one review said that this battery does not have much power, it's 10 Amp hours. It would run much longer if you use the 12 volt adapter than if you plug the machine into the inverter, since the inverter wastes so much power "inverting." (Clearly I'm not a techie when it comes to battery power). I just don't know how long 10 Ah will last.

I have the Xantrex power pack 400 plus, which is 20 Ah. I thought that might be good for 2 nights, but haven't tried it yet. I think I should try it at home soon to see how long it will last with my new travel machine (m-series). When I get around to it, I'll post the results.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:18 am

I got a PM from a forum member that said that Xantrex looks like the best bet for MY particular needs. He also recommended getting a voltage multimeter.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... age=search

I like the price, the ability to use it with other appliances, if necessary, and the handle for easy toting.

I think I'll run it with the 12 volt cable though, instead of just plugging it in to the AC, to conserve as much power as possible.

The smaller dedicated battery is calling me too. I think I might start with the Xantrex and work up to the Respironics battery pack. Couldn't hurt to have both.

As for the UPS... YOWZA!!! Okay, I'm just gonna pretend we don't have power outages here and ignore that. I've been very lucky in not losing power for very long. Unlike people just a few miles away from me who can lose power for WEEKS on end... Ah the joys of living in town...

Many thanks to all of you!!!!
B.

Machine	Mask

Battery for XPAP for Camping - What? How? Where? Help! :-)

Don't Give up Camping.