Back Up Power - Need Help

Lee Lee · Post by **Lee Lee** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 10:05 am

So, last night, at 1:00AM , I was dreaming that my hubby was suffocating me with a pillow! Turns out, a circuit breaker had tripped and my machine had stopped. I'm not sure for how long, but it was a very uncomfortable feeling.
I don't want that to happen again.
I've been talking to some folks at work, now I'm just plain confused. One fellow tells me I can get a "UPS" that I can plug in and it will automatically kick in when the power goes out.
Anybody have one of these and does it work? I will go buy one right now, if so.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 10:16 am

The recommendation has been to get one like an APC 650 or larger. Tripp-Lite also makes excellent UPS backups. But either of those brands in a "650" or larger would work fine.

Den

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 10:27 am

Yes - A UPS will work and in fact maybe the easiest way for non technical CPAP folks but it is also the most expensive way to fix this problem. Many will come along here to tell you why this is not efficient - it will however work for short term outages.

Right now I am being chastised for my opinion regarding a solution for this problem for people who may have some technical ability by using a car jump starter. This may work for people who are just getting ready to go to bed while a thunderstorm is expected overnite and don't feel comfortable sleeping with an appliance plugged into AC power.
You can read more here-
viewtopic.php?t=28085&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

A setup using deep cycle batteries every nite is another option but is also technical and pricey. There is a very good explanation here -
viewtopic.php?t=23929

Or you can come up with something else. I say get ready for the slurry of very strong opinions on this subject.

Good Luck,
GumbyCT

Lee Lee · Post by **Lee Lee** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 12:43 pm

I wonder why in the heck this is so difficult? I called ResMed and they don't recommend using a UPS with the machine. But it was with a "wink", like, they couldn't recommend it, but they knew that it would indeed work.
I wonder how long you can use the machine with the UPS? Why isn't there a battery back up for CPAP? Or is it just my machine?
Oh, and thanks for the suggestions.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:25 pm

Lee Lee wrote:Why isn't there a battery back up for CPAP?

The Aeiomed Everest cpap machine has a battery option. You can use the machine from just its battery (like camping) or you can use it at home plugged into the wall.

If you have that little machine connected to its battery, and plugged into the wall....it will used the electricity from your wall outlet. But if power goes out, the machine will automatically switch over to using its battery.

Pretty neat. I use the Everest when the weather forecast calls for thunderstorm nights.

If you expected a prolonged (more than a couple of nights) power outage, and had no way to recharge the battery, or if you absolutely had to use bilevel treatment rather than single pressure cpap, you'd want to look into heavier duty solutions:

LINKS to Battery operation, camping, power outage
viewtopic.php?t=9682

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 2:22 pm

rested gal wrote:
Lee Lee wrote:Why isn't there a battery back up for CPAP?
LINKS to Battery operation, camping, power outage
viewtopic.php?t=9682

There are packs made for CPAP - they are usually waaay over priced but are available. Check some of RG links.

Now for RG - that is definitely THE Lab Rat AWARD link there.
I don't know how to properly award a Lab Rat Award to "THE LAB RAT".
So hopefully someone here knows how to properly recognize this achievement.

RG - will reading all those links wear out my glasses?

_________________

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

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 2:50 pm

GumbyCT wrote:[RG - will reading all those links wear out my glasses?

Wot linx?

billbolton · Post by **billbolton** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:06 pm

Lee Lee wrote:I wonder why in the heck this is so difficult?

Its not difficult at all if $$$ are not an issue, but it is when $$$ count.

Most "standby power" falls into one of two broad classes....

Keep things running for long enough to do a graceful shut down within an hour or so maximum (this what most consumer grade UPS systems aim to do)

Sustain operation for the entire period of an outage of up to 'n' hours (usually at least a realistic business day, so 9-10 hours)

The second option is never low cost, but there are moderate cost options based on petrol generators which can be workable for individual CPAP users.

Cheers,

Bill

BadBreath · Post by **BadBreath** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:59 pm

I use this one for 8-10 hours of backup.

Xantrex Technologies PowerSource 400

Lets me know when it takes over, then I go right back to sleep. No interuption to the airflow.

Has come in handy several times already this winter with all the storms we have been having.

With free shipping it is not a bad price as well.

Bearded_One · Post by **Bearded_One** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 6:04 pm

This morning I ordered a Battery Geek Lithium Ion 18.5Ah CPAP battery pack. It is about the size of a book, has a cigarette lighter socket, and should power my Auto M for two nights. It will be great for sleeping while flying. I think that it can be used like a DC UPS, just plug the charger into the battery and plug my autoPAP into the battery.

http://www.batterygeek.net/v/vspfiles/C ... _Packs.asp

Dave2you4now · Post by **Dave2you4now** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 6:13 pm

I have a 875 va store bought UPS with mine.

I was told i would get about an hour.

Umm no

I tested it, plugged the machine in and unplugged the ups. I ran for a little over seven hours. Remstar Autoflex

I got well over eight when I did it with the humidifier off and the unit out in its travel pack.

I don't think you need to buy an expensive one.

I want it for the night when power goes out half way through the night and I need to finish the night off. Which has happen a couple of times during the summer.

What's nice is mine beeps when it happens but you can press the button and shut it up so it doesn't keep you awake.

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 7:02 pm

Dave2you4now wrote:I have a 875 va store bought UPS with mine.

No Link Dave?

WilsonVilleUSA · Post by **WilsonVilleUSA** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 10:35 pm

Here is what I did...

viewtopic.php?t=23929&highlight=

ColinP · Post by **ColinP** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 1:06 am

Another trick is to buy a smaller UPS (around 600va), but be sure to get one that has only one 12V battery. (The bigger ones have 2, 3 or even 4 batteries in series), and connect a deep cycle battery in place of the mickey mouse one in the UPS. The UPS charhging circuit will charge your battery, and it will automatically take over when there is an outage. The larger battery will give you many more hours than the UPS battery would.

This way you get a battery charger and inverter all in one for about the same price as either one would cost you separately, together with the automatic kick-in when the power goes.

I'm currently trying to choose a UPS to do this, but am having plenty of difficulty trying to get information on the charging parameters (the battery having cost more than double what the UPS wiil, I want to give it the best charge I can to make it last long enough). Not many UPS salesmen have a clue how their units charge the battery. In fact none that I have found do. Well, to be honest I'm still hoping to find one that has a clue about anything at all!

Colin

Nodzy · Post by **Nodzy** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:14 am

For the computers I use a Belkin F6C1500-TW-RK. It's a 1500VA back-ups unit. Later this week or next next week I'll run the xPAP on it for a night and see how long it lasts. It has two internal batteries. But it has to be recharged from house power, or by using an inverter from a DC source.

Several years ago I purchased them from PCNation for $151.96. It has multiple outlets on the back, and it's 15" x 13" x 3-1/2".

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatSectionV ... tion_Id=77

Nodzy

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Airmini, Medistrom Pilot 24, CMS 60C Pulse Oximeter, ResScan 6