Camping for a week without easy electricity

[AlanMacNeill]

So...this August I'm going to be camping for a week without easy access to electricity...

What are my options for making my CPAP go?

Assume access to battery chargers onsite, but at a location far enough away that I'd like to avoid having to go there every day if possible.

[GumbyCT]

So...this August I'm going to be camping for a week without easy access to electricity...

What are my options for making my CPAP go?

Assume access to battery chargers onsite, but at a location far enough away that I'd like to avoid having to go there every day if possible.

Paint us a picture... of this camping area.

[idamtnboy]

So...this August I'm going to be camping for a week without easy access to electricity...

What are my options for making my CPAP go?

Assume access to battery chargers onsite, but at a location far enough away that I'd like to avoid having to go there every day if possible.

I suggest you do a search of the forum on battery backup and camping (separately). This subject has been hashed over quite a bit in the last year and I'm sure you'll find a lot more info that way than relying on responses here. Thanks.

[AlanMacNeill]

My search fu must be weak, I'm not finding discussion on how long batteries last between charges, particularly not any way to figure it out for my given machine (see sig), etc.

As for a picture of the campsite...I don't have to, someone already did.... http://land.pennsicwar.org/land_php/map.php . I will be in section N17, electricity is available in the "services area" south of that block. It's about a 1/4 mile walk round trip from my anticipated campsite to the electricity...that's not the big deal, the big deal is that there's generally about 10 outlets available and 10,000 people trying to charge things (admittedly, as medical equipment I get bumped to the front of the queue ahead of the cell phones and laptops, but even then it's several hours of wait.

What I really need is some sort of "Okay, there's cords available for your CPAP that work with batteries, you can expect to get 2 nights off one charge" sort of thing...basically, I need an electrical engineer

[BlackSpinner]

I believe on a good battery ( boat type) you can expect 2 days IF you don't use your humidifier. Since August at Pennsic is kind of humid you might do ok with just passover humidity. ( And do make sure it is raised off the ground - extreme down pours are common there)

You should check with the chiroegeons about your medical needs for power. You might consider bringing two batteries, one on charge with someone while using the other.

Search under "battery backups" Besides just the battery, you may need a converter. I am not familiar with your machine.

Added: PM JohnBFisher a member who has put together many back systems.

And enjoy the "War".

[idamtnboy]

My search fu must be weak, I'm not finding discussion on how long batteries last between charges, particularly not any way to figure it out for my given machine (see sig), etc.

What I really need is some sort of "Okay, there's cords available for your CPAP that work with batteries, you can expect to get 2 nights off one charge" sort of thing...basically, I need an electrical engineer

OK, here's a few. These are a few I found. I admit, search sometimes can be a little rough. I didn't review them to what is or isn't in them. You should find answers to your questions. The problem is there is no straight forward simple answer. Your simplest solution is a deep cycle battery and the Resmed battery adapter. Recharging the deep cycle may be a challenge. You probably won't go a week without recharging.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=75979&p=694513&hili ... ng#p694513

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=75842&p=693718&hili ... ng#p693718

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=74362&p=682368&hili ... cs#p682368

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=71035&p=678436&hili ... cs#p678436

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=71035&p=665398&hili ... cs#p665398

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=72173&p=664122&hili ... cs#p664122

[BlackSpinner]

You may want to "hook up" with someone who is staying in a motel. If you pick up two batteries they could charge the one you are not using and bring it back the next day.

If you haven't been to "War" before, people tend to be very helpful and friendly about this kind of thing. Bring a favour or two to exchange.
My ex -barony has a facebook page where people plan their Pennic travels, see if your locall group/ barony/kingdom has one.

[DiverCTHunter]

Check ThinkGeek and various hunting/camping websites. There are a number of solar chargers that either come with or can be easily attached to a deep cycle battery.

Depending on the supplier, you should be able to find a 12V solar charger in the $40-$100 range.

Here's one set of options, YMMV:

$85 - ResMed DC Adapter for S9 machines https://www.cpap.com/productpage/DC-Con ... hines.html
$92 - Marine Deep Cycle battery - http://www.autozone.com/autozone/access ... ing=search
$99 - 15W Solar Charger http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... d=4218515#

[idamtnboy]

$99 - 15W Solar Charger http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... d=4218515#

Output is the big problem w/ solar chargers. An S9 will use around 2 to 3 amps w/o humidifier. For 7 hours that's about 15 to 20 amp hours, which at 12 volts will be roughly 200 watt hours. Divide by 15 watt solar charger output that's about 10 to 15 hours recharge time. Doesn't work out real good in the end.

[azpilgrims]

Small quiet generator such as a Honda or Yamaha 1000, they produce very clean electricity, very quiet, and will run a good 8 hours on a tank of fuel.

[dtsm]

My search fu must be weak, I'm not finding discussion on how long batteries last between charges, particularly not any way to figure it out for my given machine (see sig), etc.

You don't need EE, you need just to do a more lifting...search Duracell 600 and you'll see a slew of threads re various battery alternatives. Here's one to get your started: viewtopic/t76063/search.php?keywords=duracell+600

[DiverCTHunter]

$99 - 15W Solar Charger http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... d=4218515#

Output is the big problem w/ solar chargers. An S9 will use around 2 to 3 amps w/o humidifier. For 7 hours that's about 15 to 20 amp hours, which at 12 volts will be roughly 200 watt hours. Divide by 15 watt solar charger output that's about 10 to 15 hours recharge time. Doesn't work out real good in the end.

According to the Sunrise/Sunset table for that area, there'll be a max of 14.5 and a min of 13.99 hours of daylight during the "War". Throw in a few late (k)nights

[idamtnboy]

$99 - 15W Solar Charger http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... d=4218515#

Output is the big problem w/ solar chargers. An S9 will use around 2 to 3 amps w/o humidifier. For 7 hours that's about 15 to 20 amp hours, which at 12 volts will be roughly 200 watt hours. Divide by 15 watt solar charger output that's about 10 to 15 hours recharge time. Doesn't work out real good in the end.

According to the Sunrise/Sunset table for that area, there'll be a max of 14.5 and a min of 13.99 hours of daylight during the "War". Throw in a few late (k)nights

Might work from the standpoint of number of hours of daylight. Even if it didn't recharge fully every day it might recharge enough to get you through the entire week, with a nearly discharged battery at the end of the week. The next big question is what voltage the solar panel will put out. It really needs to kick out 14 to 15 volts to recharge a 12 volt battery. That's because you need oomph to push the electricity back into the battery.

[idamtnboy]

$99 - 15W Solar Charger http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... d=4218515#

Output is the big problem w/ solar chargers. An S9 will use around 2 to 3 amps w/o humidifier. For 7 hours that's about 15 to 20 amp hours, which at 12 volts will be roughly 200 watt hours. Divide by 15 watt solar charger output that's about 10 to 15 hours recharge time. Doesn't work out real good in the end.

According to the Sunrise/Sunset table for that area, there'll be a max of 14.5 and a min of 13.99 hours of daylight during the "War". Throw in a few late (k)nights

Those same panels are available on Amazon. I see they are rated for battery charging. I'd suggest you look there, especially to read user reviews. You might be better to go with the 4 panel arrangement. Amazon price is less than RS. To get the full output from the panels you'd most likely need to reorient them 3 or 4 times during the day to keep the sun shining on them as directly as possible. One user reports the output drops off severely in early morning and late afternoon and when the panels get hot.

[a1albert]

I can't make out from the camp ground map but if any of the sites have power I would go around and ask if you could recharge a battery at their site eaach day. I would use two batteries one in use and one on charge. I would think someone would help you out, I know I would. Solar panels will work but do a dry run first, i made it 9 nights in the wilderness with a 18amp battery and two folding solar panels. I am going again this year and I know this time I will have no problem with my power. If you plan on doing alot of dry camping and it is a place you can drive up to you can get a 45 watt panel at a decent price and it should give you plenty of power.

Albert