Can I use the 110 volt AC outlet in my car to run my CPAP?

mkindi01 · Post by **mkindi01** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 12:56 pm

I will be taking a muli day driving trip and may want to sleep in the car for the night. Can I use the 110 volt AC outlet in my car to run my CPAP? Will I need to leave my car idling? Has anyone tried this? I would not be doing this very often so I do not want to spend anything on battery supplies.

Needsdecaf · Post by **Needsdecaf** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:27 pm

I would suggest that this would be a question for your automotive manufacturer or dealer. What type of vehicle do you own?

If your car has a built in DC to 110 V AC Converter, you should be able to use any 110 VAC device in it. I would suggest using some type of surge protection.

But as to the actual operation of the unit, and if you have to run the car or if the battery will work, again, I would suggest you find that out through your dealer or from the manufacturer. If you tell them the particular draw of your machine, they should be able to give you an estimate of how long it will last.

On another note, I would suggest that you'll probably not get a good night's sleep in the car anyway!

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:53 pm

Lets see if we can make this balance, $30 D/C to A/C inverter against a $600 electrical device with a computer board. Would I trust it, not completely. If something went wrong with the little $30 sucker, do you think they built in failsafe protection for that $30.

I'd trust it for a trouble light, to change a flat tire, but a light bulb only costs $0.30. Jim

A D/C cord for the XPAP is the safe way to do it, just blow the cigarette ashes out and plug it in.

mkindi01 · Post by **mkindi01** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:03 pm

Thanks for the comments. I thought of talking to the dealer too. That's a good suggestion.

I'm not using a $30 D/C to A/C inverter. I would be using a $28,000 D/C to A/C inverter (It came with a free car.) The inverter/outlet is built into my 2008 Jeep Liberty. Jeep says, "provides up to 150 watts of power to your laptop computer, gaming system or other small appliance." If they say it is good for a laptop, it certainly should be fine for a CPAP.

The real question then comes down to how long the battery would last or idling the vehicle. There would also be the question of whether the outlet even stays on after the engine is turned off, even with the ignition on. I guess that takes me back to the first suggestion, "that this would be a question for your automotive manufacturer or dealer."

Mike

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bigguy42431 · Post by **bigguy42431** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:45 pm

150 watt is not very much that is 1.25 amp. My m series apap calls for 1.70 amp on the tag that is not enough. I would get a DC adapter. Most laptop power supplys pull under 100 watts or 0.8333 amps.
James

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:49 pm

You may have to upgrade to a $56,000 D/C to A/C inverter (It came with a free car.), I think some XPAP's can draw 300 watts. I don't thing I could live on the air my laptop puts out. I'd be afraid my new car couldn't carry the weight of a $28,000 D/C to A/C Inverter. Jim

bearcatx16 · Post by **bearcatx16** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:44 pm

Don't know what machine you have. The ResMed S8 Elite needs 200 watts for the inverter and if using the HH it needs to be pure sine wave rather than modified sine wave.

Fred

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:49 pm

Get a DC power cord or make your own.

billbolton · Post by **billbolton** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:11 pm

Needsdecaf wrote:If your car has a built in DC to 110 V AC Converter, you should be able to use any 110 VAC device in it.

Maybe, maybe not

It depends on the type of "converter" and type of "device".

Devices which rely on the sinusoidal wave shape of retriculated "wall socket" AC will may not work with converter/inverter devices that produce square wave or modified sine wave AC. This includes at least some CPAP humidifers.

Cheers,

Bill

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