Traveling with CPAP on Planes, Trains and Automobiles (Motorcycles too!)
By Bill Nehring, CRT, LRCP
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare
Some basic “Must haves” whenever and wherever you travel.
6’ to 8’ Extension cord with 3 molded outlets, twice the wire size of your CPAP.
Universal Plug Adapter set (If traveling outside the US) (Travelsmith.com)
Fuses (If your machine uses them) consisting of 110, 220 and 12 volt. (Yes, they are different!)
Extra Mask parts (Or extra mask) and perhaps an extra filter.
A copy of your prescription for using CPAP.
Traveling in a Motorhome, Trailer, Boat or Automobile
Know if your “Cigarette plugs are using coach or engine batteries”.
And if you tent camp then you use a deep cycle marine battery with a power inverter. This will alow you to use your CPAP for 4 days between charges.
Know your “Inverter”, if you have one. (See #3 also)
Do you use established “Full Hookup” parks or “Boondock”?
Do you have a generator? What are the restrictions in the park?
Drain your humidifier prior to traveling. (Does your Humidifier work with 12 volt?)
If using in Cigarette plug in car, try at home first!!!
Using Batteries and various connectors
DC Inverter
Required wattage? (F&P 200 watt min)
Some require specific brands. (Warranty?)
DC Battery Adapter Cable
For connecting to a 12 volt battery and plugging the Inverter into.
Shielded DC Cord
Some units require only this adapter.
Batteries
Use only sealed types (Gel cell, sealed lead acid)
Deep cycle RV/Marine/Medical batteries work best
Look for highest “Amp hour” rating with 50 AH minimum.
Commercial Carriers (Planes, Trains, Cruise Ships)
Call Carrier and ask what is required. (A little known secret is that most all commercial aircraft all have 110 volt outlets located near each exit. You just have to ask!)
Never check your unit as baggage (Ask about shipping containers if you have to check it).
Cruise Ships and Trains generally not a problem.
Airlines each have specific requirements and vary greatly from one to another.
Make arrangements as soon as you know you will be traveling.
Traveling with your CPAP is not difficult if you plan ahead and follow some of these instructions. Each CPAP machine has different voltage requirements and plug configurations. Consult your users guide and/or call your homecare company if you have questions. You can sleep just as well on the road as in your own bed and you owe it to yourself to do just that! CPAP should improve your live, not restrict you! ENJOY YOUR LIFE!
Traveling with CPAP
5 posts
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Very nice list you have there,
Why not just purchase a modern cpap that will operate directly from 12 volts. My GK420E will go at LEAST 2 weeks between charges using a deep cycle battery rated at 115 amp hours. $57 at Wal Mart.
The 420e uses less than 1 amp. Something like .75 if you must know exactly. An inverter uses 1 amp just switched on not providing any power.
Sell the old dinosaur and buy yourself a new energy efficient compact unit. Throw the old wiring diagram away. So what if you accidently connect to your starting battery for a few nites. The drain is nothing. You'll never look back.
:twis ted:
Why not just purchase a modern cpap that will operate directly from 12 volts. My GK420E will go at LEAST 2 weeks between charges using a deep cycle battery rated at 115 amp hours. $57 at Wal Mart.
The 420e uses less than 1 amp. Something like .75 if you must know exactly. An inverter uses 1 amp just switched on not providing any power.
Sell the old dinosaur and buy yourself a new energy efficient compact unit. Throw the old wiring diagram away. So what if you accidently connect to your starting battery for a few nites. The drain is nothing. You'll never look back.
:twis ted:
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Guest
Oh I'm sorry. I should have rcognized the old Resmed Spirit in your post. I had 1 back in 02. Sold it earlier this year to Rested Gal. I believe she sold it to SWS after she finished tinkering with it. I Never had a need for it since I bought my GK 420E back in 04. The Spirit was nice but its a clunker now . Much smaller more efficient models out now. They really messed up when they forgot to make it 12 volt . Its kinda BIG also. Tho I did travel extensively with my Spirit. I wish I had a GK 420E. I'd have more space for socks and underwear.
Travel Hint.....When traveling with the Spirit . To save space I buy a few packages of underpants and keep them in their package. You can't fold them like the factory unless you can get aunt Molly to sit on them for a while. As I use them I just throw them away. This leaves space for trinkets that I collect along the way. .IMHO
:twis ted:
Travel Hint.....When traveling with the Spirit . To save space I buy a few packages of underpants and keep them in their package. You can't fold them like the factory unless you can get aunt Molly to sit on them for a while. As I use them I just throw them away. This leaves space for trinkets that I collect along the way. .IMHO
:twis ted:
5 posts
• Page 1 of 1