Seeking recommendations for a new AutoCPAP machine

Hello everyone. It's coming up on five years since I started using my CPAP. As I understand, once I reach that mark I'll be eligible for a new machine. Good thing, because the knob is falling off the old one. I know that a lot has changed in that time in CPAP technology so I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations for what I should get next. Here are my requirements and preferences

• Humidifier use (must have)
• Capable of relatively high pressure (I think my current setting is something like 14-17?) -- must have
• Auto CPAP vs. a simple CPAP (probably a must have)
• Capable of running off the grid. (This would be REALLY nice -- see below)

About the off-the-grid part. I have two main needs regarding this. One is that I would like to be able to go camping again. I haven't been in so long! If I do go camping it will most likely be car camping, so weight of machine doesn't matter much. Also, however, I would like to be able to use my machine in cases of power outages, possibly extended ones. Here in Northern California it was recently made painfully clear to us that our local power company can and will turn off the power any time it deems it necessary to do so to prevent wildfires.

I realize that this item is the hardest to accommodate on the wishlist. A couple of years ago I tried to figure out how to run off the grid and got mired in specs about boat batteries etc. (I have zero knowledge about electricity beyond the average layperson's.) I've been seeing machines advertised for camping though, so I'm hoping that the technology is coming up to speed.

Any recommendations appreciated.

jpek wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 8:11 am

Hello everyone. It's coming up on five years since I started using my CPAP. As I understand, once I reach that mark I'll be eligible for a new machine.
Any recommendations appreciated.

for machine, the one in my sig and here-

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... r-humidair

for battery power, see this thread-

viewtopic/t114012/Choosing-a-Battery.ht ... =capn+loki

good luck!

ResMed machines can be run off a battery but since they use 24 volt and batteries are 12 volt Resmed machines will need a converter to change the power from 12 volt to 24 volt. An added expense over the Respironics Auto CPAP and a bit pricey at somewhere between 50 and 80 bucks depending on if you get OEM or aftermarket.
Respironics machines already run off 12 volt so added expense in that department.

System One machines have an easily replaceable knob if you want to buy some time and just get a new knob.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-cpa ... ne-knob-ui

I suggest limiting your search to either the Respironics or ResMed brands auto cpaps.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 11:34 am

Respironics machines already run off 12 volt so added expense in that department.

The newer Respironics machines (Dreamstations) need a "special" 12v cord... last I looked they were around 25$, which is about what the 3rd party Resmed power supplies on Amazon are (I think).

palerider wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 12:05 pm

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 11:34 am

Respironics machines already run off 12 volt so added expense in that department.

The newer Respironics machines (Dreamstations) need a "special" 12v cord... last I looked they were around 25$, which is about what the 3rd party Resmed power supplies on Amazon are (I think).

Well crap...I keep forgetting that little tidbit of information. My mind is getting old and dull along with the rest of my body.
But I can pretty much guarantee that tomorrow I will have forgot that tidbit again.....so you will probably have to correct me again.

Didn't you finally test the actual power usage on an AirSense machine to see if it was really all that more power hungry than Respironics?
If it is not really all that much more power hungry then maybe I just need to change my recommendation for off grid cpap usage to the ResMed now that people are saying that the aftermarket cheaper 12 to 24 volt converters are working just fine.
Especially if insurance is buying a new machine.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 12:12 pm

palerider wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 12:05 pm

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 11:34 am

Respironics machines already run off 12 volt so added expense in that department.

The newer Respironics machines (Dreamstations) need a "special" 12v cord... last I looked they were around 25$, which is about what the 3rd party Resmed power supplies on Amazon are (I think).

Well crap...I keep forgetting that little tidbit of information. My mind is getting old and dull along with the rest of my body.
But I can pretty much guarantee that tomorrow I will have forgot that tidbit again.....so you will probably have to correct me again.

Didn't you finally test the actual power usage on an AirSense machine to see if it was really all that more power hungry than Respironics?
If it is not really all that much more power hungry then maybe I just need to change my recommendation for off grid cpap usage to the ResMed now that people are saying that the aftermarket cheaper 12 to 24 volt converters are working just fine.
Especially if insurance is buying a new machine.

We shouldn't have to learn new things just because the manufacturers put in a unneeded wire in the plug, so they could sell their overpriced power brick! Jim

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 12:12 pm

palerider wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 12:05 pm

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 17, 2019 11:34 am

Respironics machines already run off 12 volt so added expense in that department.

The newer Respironics machines (Dreamstations) need a "special" 12v cord... last I looked they were around 25$, which is about what the 3rd party Resmed power supplies on Amazon are (I think).

Well crap...I keep forgetting that little tidbit of information. My mind is getting old and dull along with the rest of my body.
But I can pretty much guarantee that tomorrow I will have forgot that tidbit again.....so you will probably have to correct me again.

Didn't you finally test the actual power usage on an AirSense machine to see if it was really all that more power hungry than Respironics?
If it is not really all that much more power hungry then maybe I just need to change my recommendation for off grid cpap usage to the ResMed now that people are saying that the aftermarket cheaper 12 to 24 volt converters are working just fine.
Especially if insurance is buying a new machine.

I tested the as10 autoset for her, I'll get some numbers from the s9 autoset, just haven't gotten around to it.

And in all fairness, the dreamstation power cord thing is relatively new.

for battery power, see this thread-

viewtopic/t114012/Choosing-a-Battery.ht ... =capn+loki

This is precisely the thread that overwhelmed and confused me before. It's a lot to digest for a beginner who doesn't know much about electricity. Plus, I can't really figure out how this would work in a situation with extended power outages.

Sorry everyone, but could you possibly give me the dumbed-down version of what I would actually need to get to have an off-grid solution?

I'm also assuming that somewhere in there there needs to be a solar battery to recharge the battery that recharges the CPAP?

Forum member raftergirl has done some extensive rafting trips with her cpap ....like camping and rafting for weeks.
viewtopic/t154627/search.php?author_id=72868&sr=posts
and using solar panels for recharging
When you have time you might read some of her posts about what she has used.
I don't think she needed the humidifier though but I can't remember for sure.
The humidifier is the most power hungry part of the cpap. Using it will mean bigger/more batteries for sure but it can be done.

When you looked at CapnLoki's massive thread did you make it down to about his 12th post (or around that number towards the bottom of the first page) where he talks about his set up? In that post is more of a grocery list of items to start with.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 18, 2019 7:16 am

Forum member raftergirl has done some extensive rafting trips with her cpap ....like camping and rafting for weeks.
viewtopic/t154627/search.php?author_id=72868&sr=posts
and using solar panels for recharging
When you have time you might read some of her posts about what she has used.
I don't think she needed the humidifier though but I can't remember for sure.
The humidifier is the most power hungry part of the cpap. Using it will mean bigger/more batteries for sure but it can be done.

When you looked at CapnLoki's massive thread did you make it down to about his 12th post (or around that number towards the bottom of the first page) where he talks about his set up? In that post is more of a grocery list of items to start with.

Okay, that's helpful -- thanks!

My usual mask is a P30i, but for battery use I switch to an F30 or F20 with the Breas/Z1 HME (available from Amazon or our host).

I have a Dreamstation Go Auto that works fairly well off the battery using an HME. Unfortunately:
1) It works very similarly to a regular Dreamstation. I do better with Resmed’s version of Auto operation and EPR.
2) it is designed to charge from AC only. What were they thinking?!?

The Resmed DC-DC can work with 12 to 24V in. I haven’t tried it yet, but I keep a supply of 6V lantern batteries on hand for extended power outages. Four of those in series (24V) should cut the current in half compared to running from 12V. Battery capacity is not fixed - most batteries can deliver more energy if discharged at a lower rate, so one set of four in series should last longer than two sets of two.

ragtopcircus wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 21, 2019 6:05 am

My usual mask is a P30i, but for battery use I switch to an F30 or F20 with the Breas/Z1 HME (available from Amazon or our host).

I have a Dreamstation Go Auto that works fairly well off the battery using an HME. Unfortunately:
1) It works very similarly to a regular Dreamstation. I do better with Resmed’s version of Auto operation and EPR.
2) it is designed to charge from AC only. What were they thinking?!?

The Resmed DC-DC can work with 12 to 24V in. I haven’t tried it yet, but I keep a supply of 6V lantern batteries on hand for extended power outages. Four of those in series (24V) should cut the current in half compared to running from 12V. Battery capacity is not fixed - most batteries can deliver more energy if discharged at a lower rate, so one set of four in series should last longer than two sets of two.

Just a reality check. For those of us who don't know much about electricity, most of your message makes no sense. I understood the first line and then...

Running the humidifier takes a lot of power. To make the battery last longer, I use an inline Heat Moisture Exchanger. It has to be as close as possible to to your mouth and nose so it can capture moisture from your breath. An HME does not work as well as a regular humidifier, but it is better than nothing.

The Resmed DC-DC converter is what’s called a buck-boost converter. It transforms the voltage in (12 to 24) to a steady 24V (plus a lower level that Resmed also needs).

If we ignore efficiency for simplicity, Watts in = Watts out. Voltage x Current = Watts. That means that the DC-DC will only draw half as much current from a 24V battery (or two 12V batteries wired in series, or four 6V batteries wired in series.

I keep a supply of 6V lantern batteries for power outages because they last a long time on the shelf without needing to be kept on a charger.

Most batteries are more efficient when discharged slowly. You may be able to walk all day (even if your feet get sore), but most people tire quickly running up hill. Batteries work like that too. If you double the load current, you don’t just cut the usable time in half. You lose more than that, because the battery is less efficient at high current.

That means cutting the load current in half will usually increase the usable time by more than double.