Going camping...

[GumbyCT]

Some good info. I seem to be the sole advocate here of using a jump starter. Some told me I was crazy but I had not yet considered air travel with it only cuz at the other end I was staying indoors w/electric power.

I would be interested in which make/model you did travel with.

For years I traveled internationally with a jump-starter equipped with a rechargeable 12V, 17 Amp-hour sealed, leakproof AGM battery. That battery type is exempt from both DOT and IATA restrictions and is, therefore, categorized as “non-dangerous” for air shipment purposes [UN number 2800, special provision A67]. I ALSO CARRIED LOTS OF DOCUMENTATION FOR IT. This occasionally resulted in hassles at airport security, but the documentation always got the battery through.

Unfortunately, I get the impression that many folks are either looking for an excuse not to go someplace or to not use their cpap. Personally, I don't even nap w/o it. You illustrate the old adage "Where there is a will, there is a way".

[Sloop]

Some good info. I seem to be the sole advocate here of using a jump starter. Some told me I was crazy but I had not yet considered air travel with it only cuz at the other end I was staying indoors w/electric power.

I would be interested in which make/model you did travel with.

For years I traveled internationally with a jump-starter equipped with a rechargeable 12V, 17 Amp-hour sealed, leakproof AGM battery. That battery type is exempt from both DOT and IATA restrictions and is, therefore, categorized as “non-dangerous” for air shipment purposes [UN number 2800, special provision A67]. I ALSO CARRIED LOTS OF DOCUMENTATION FOR IT. This occasionally resulted in hassles at airport security, but the documentation always got the battery through.

Unfortunately, I get the impression that many folks are either looking for an excuse not to go someplace or to not use their cpap. Personally, I don't even nap w/o it. You illustrate the old adage "Where there is a will, there is a way".

I just so happened had an opportunity to test my emergency rig last night. Violent storms rolled through at 11 PM and we lost power. So I scrambled and got my jump-start battery and my Respironics 12VDC adapter cord. I logged in about 3 hours before our power came back on. Worked perfect, and a check of the voltage meter on the battery showed that it hadn't budged off of 13 Volts. I should have simply kept going with it to see how much reserve battery I have. But, before charging up the jump-starter, I am going to hook it up again and keep a track of the number of hours.

[GumbyCT]

I just so happened had an opportunity to test my emergency rig last night. Violent storms rolled through at 11 PM and we lost power. So I scrambled and got my jump-start battery and my Respironics 12VDC adapter cord. I logged in about 3 hours before our power came back on. Worked perfect, and a check of the voltage meter on the battery showed that it hadn't budged off of 13 Volts. I should have simply kept going with it to see how much reserve battery I have. But, before charging up the jump-starter, I am going to hook it up again and keep a track of the number of hours.

Glad it worked... keeping notes is helpful.

At some point you may want to try running off the DC every nite while keeping the charger hooked up, kinda like a UPS. Then you won't have to scramble when a storm rolls thru

[67tony]

Going on Safari with CPAP

There is no valid reason for anyone with a lifestyle that involves lots of outdoor activity and travel, even if it includes times spent in very primitive places, to stop, cut back, or change because they develop apnea and must use a CPAP-type device when they sleep. Camping with CPAP -- even backpacking into very primitive areas such as rainforest and desert regions and camping for several nights -- is quite possible and does not have to be expensive or a "big deal." I've used a CPAP machine nightly for over 10 years. For the first five of those I was a research biologist and spent some of my time doing field work in the tropics of Central & South America, Asia & Africa. This often necessitated hiking into and camping in areas that were far from any power grid for several days. I am now retired, but I continue to be an avid birder and active international naturalist and I continue to spend several months each year in primitive areas, as well as doing lots of camping in less exotic, though sometimes equally primitive areas here in the US. In all of that time I have never had an insoluble CPAP problem.

I use the simplest CPAP machines (very small & light, without humidifiers, sophisticated software, etc.) that can be run directly on a 12V DC power source. When "car-camping" I use a long cord and plug the CPAP into the vehicle's utility socket (aka cig. lighter). When I can't sleep in or near a vehicle, I use one of several 12V battery sources for power. If I need only one night, a rechargeable 12V, 9 or 12 amp-hour Lithium-ion battery (weighing 1 to 1.5 lb.) is ideal. 12V, 4.5 and 6.3 amp-hour Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery sets with chargers are presently available online (for example on ebay) for $20 to $40, and two (or more) of these can be linked to provide electricity for one (or more) nights. This kind of setup is packaged by CPAP sellers and runs $300-$400, but you can get the same thing by ordering the components online for $50-$80. The picture of a 12V 4.5A battery and charger is shown below. As a final option, a small, motorcycle-type sealed 12V battery (ca. 5lb.) is also an easy carry, and is also cheap.

For years I traveled internationally with a jump-starter equipped with a rechargeable 12V, 17 Amp-hour sealed, leakproof AGM battery. That battery type is exempt from both DOT and IATA restrictions and is, therefore, categorized as “non-dangerous” for air shipment purposes [UN number 2800, special provision A67]. I ALSO CARRIED LOTS OF DOCUMENTATION FOR IT. This occasionally resulted in hassles at airport security, but the documentation always got the battery through.

I also pack a complete backup CPAP unit, since repair and/or replacement is not readily available in many foreign venues, and I pack a 25 foot extension cord and a set of adaptor plugs for foreign electrical receptacles. For longer camping off the grid I buy a car-type 12V battery wherever I am and, if necessary, have it portered in; I only need 6 cm H2O, so a fully-charged 12V car battery runs my machine for seven nights. When I'm at high altitude and it's cold, I run the CPAP hose inside my sleeping bag to partially warm the incoming air.

Battery weight is the biggest problem, but with further development of Li-ion battery technology (and a big price reduction!) that will cease to be. But even now, no CPAP users who want to travel and camp should deprive themselves of that pleasure.

Wow....this has to be the best first post in the history of internet forums!

[67tony]

When "car-camping" I use a long cord and plug the CPAP into the vehicle's utility socket (aka cig. lighter).

This sure seems like the simplest and cheapest solution for me!

One question, though...does the power level drop if I run, say, 20' of wire from the car battery to the CPAP machine...and does that affect the function of the machine?

[GumbyCT]

When "car-camping" I use a long cord and plug the CPAP into the vehicle's utility socket (aka cig. lighter).

This sure seems like the simplest and cheapest solution for me!

One question, though...does the power level drop if I run, say, 20' of wire from the car battery to the CPAP machine...and does that affect the function of the machine?

While this can certainly work you can run into problems IF the wire is too thin or there are bad connections.

I must admit I did think of this for a power outage plan at home; which lead me to the jump starter idea. IF you have a jump starter that, to me, is a much better plan. Plus there is no risk of killing the car/truck battery.

[Sloop]

I just so happened had an opportunity to test my emergency rig last night. Violent storms rolled through at 11 PM and we lost power. So I scrambled and got my jump-start battery and my Respironics 12VDC adapter cord. I logged in about 3 hours before our power came back on. Worked perfect, and a check of the voltage meter on the battery showed that it hadn't budged off of 13 Volts. I should have simply kept going with it to see how much reserve battery I have. But, before charging up the jump-starter, I am going to hook it up again and keep a track of the number of hours.

I took a nap yesterday and added another 2 hours on the battery = total of 5 hours. The meter still hadn't budged off of 13 volts. I was going to keep the test going on upcoming days, but due to another round of severe storms coming in yesterday evening, I decided to re-charge the battery just in case I needed a full day or two of battery power. But it sure looks like my rig is a good one.

[GumbyCT]

Whatever choice is made it is best to try it out long before the camping trip or power outage when/where it will be used. Esp. if using a longer extension cord. You want to know what you plan to use will work.

but due to another round of severe storms coming in yesterday evening, I decided to re-charge the battery just in case I needed a full day or two of battery power

It is a good idea to keep any battery fully charged esp. because you don't know when the power will go out. Some think you should charge it once a month - I just keep my jump starters on charge - that has been working fine for me.