Power Outage

istby2 · Post by **istby2** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 5:46 pm

I know there is one CPAP device with a built-in battery backup, but what are the other options available to sustain the CPAP during a power outage/loss?

My machine as a 12vdc jack, but besides keeping a car-type battery handy, what can be done?

I've more than a couple of very awful nights with a power outage longer than a couple of minutes.

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 6:01 pm

How often you've experienced a nocturnal power outage...

...this year?
...since starting CPAP?
...during your entire lifetime?

What's the time frame here?

Thanks.

GoodKnight · Post by **GoodKnight** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 6:03 pm

istby2,

Use the search function at the top of the forum and you will find lots of information on the topic.

Basically, if you want a back-up for a couple of nights you need a battery about the size of a car battery or maybe a little smaller.

ProfessorSleep · Post by **ProfessorSleep** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 7:27 pm

Yes, this has been a popular topic. A recent and very detailed thread can be found here:

viewtopic.php?t=5608&highlight=power

Search for keyword battery for lots of other info.

MartiniLover · Post by **MartiniLover** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 7:57 pm

Where does NEVER fit in

tomjax · Post by **tomjax** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 10:37 am

What is the meaning of the numbers?
per night?, per week? per lifetime?

I have been a user for about 10 years and live in Fl.

I can remember many times it went off for a few minutes, a few times for about an hour, but only once when the current was off for several hours.

I would rate poser outage a non issue with moi, Certrainly not enough to consider a power or battery backup.

dsg · Post by **dsg** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 8:55 pm

Until I started with CPAP, a power outage wasn't a frightening phenomenon. It is now. I've been fortunate, in that I think I've only experienced one of two power outages while sleeping, and only one for more than about 10 minutes. Still, it made me think about what I'd do, and my best alternative would be to find some converter thingy that I could use to plug into my car's DC outlet (what some of us used to think of as the cigarette lighter outlet on the dashboard, above the ashtray that also no longer exists.....I'm so old). Does anyone know if such a critter exists? (the converter, not the ashtray).

My other post-CPAP fear: colds!

JimmyKSenior · Post by **JimmyKSenior** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 10:05 am

Here in Maine, outages of hours to days are not uncommon. In the great ice storm a few years back we went almost a week. So far, since I started CPAP, 45 nights ago, we have not had an outage.

To address this issue and also allow for camping, I purchased a deep cycle battery and can charge from an outlet or from another 12v battery if house or shore power is not available. This would also apply to those who sail overnight. Solar chargers are also viable alternatives. My battery and all cords and chargers cost less that $140 (including free ship on the battery) and cheaper and more expensive solutions are also available. I found a web site that specialized in batteries and e-mailed then called them and got good advice. A battery is not always just a battery and you have to be aware of what you are buying.

I now can cover all scenarios except I cannot go backpacking or cross-country skiing overnight as everything is too heavy to carry and there are no power sources in the woods or mountains for recharging. I keep the battery on a trickle charger next to the bed and am ready to switch power sources in only a minute or two at most.

JimK

Tumbleweed · Post by **Tumbleweed** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 12:40 pm

We are also in Florida. Outages here on the Nature Coast seem regular, not even including the huricane times. After Frances last year, we purchased a small Honda 2000W generator that will keep us going in any prolonged cases. Daytime will rotate between fridge and freezer as needed and at night, any fans, radios lights and my CPAP and humidifier as needed. The thing only weighs 49 pounds and about the size of an overnight bag. the 1 Gallon tank will run it on low setting for up to 14 hours! that setting is fine for overnight CPAP and fans.

It also doubles as a power source at the craft shows we do! Charged it off as a buisness expense!

dsg · Post by **dsg** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 1:32 pm

Question for tumbleweed: how loud is the generator? Thanks.
JimmyKSenior, you definitely gave me one of those head-slapping "of COURSE" moments. I'm a sailor, and a deep cycle battery hadn't occured to me, though it should have. I often forget about those wonderful little tricks and doo-hickeys that we use on boats that could have even more uses on land. Thanks for that.

Tumbleweed · Post by **Tumbleweed** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 1:38 pm

Believe it or not, dsg, these things are incredibly quiet...... when it's only yards away, you have to really listen to know it's even running when it's on the power saving mode. That's why it's so great at craft shows too......... never bothers anyone!

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/Mode ... me=eu2000i

Here's the detail page from Honda!

genesis3355 · Post by **genesis3355** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:59 pm

what happens during an outage? do i choke?

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 7:34 pm

That generator sounds ok. Why not run the cpap from a battery and charge the battery from the generator during the day ? Save a bunch of gas also. A cpap will easily run for a week on a deep cycle battery.

In an emergency you could always sleep in the car. Plut it into the lighter outlet .

:twis ted:

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 11:12 am

I have pair of matching computers here, I just got my CPAP two month ago and was worried about power drops. So I got a APC Back-UPS ND 1250, it will run the computers for 10 to 15 minutes (both), and when I go to bed it runs the CPAP. I don't know how long, hopefully until the power is restored.

I also have a portable car starter compressor, that could run it for a while, I think the bases are covered. The longest I have seen the power here out was 12 hours.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 11:27 am

I just take the mask off, throw it on the floor and go back to sleep. It's not like I'm gonna die if I don't use it for a couple of hours.

Power Outage

How often you experienced an nocturnal power outage

Power Outage

???

Power and other fears

Mask	Humidifier