Silent UPS for xPAPs?

SickAndTired · Post by **SickAndTired** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 4:37 pm

Has anyone found a silent yet inexpensive UPS with enough capacity to run an xPAP machine with heated humidifier for at least 30 minutes, though preferably 8 hours?

I have already read up on the various battery/inverter/charger solutions people have come up with for using an xPAP machine ‘off the grid’, but I’d like to find something a little simpler/cleaner, since I have no interest in camping (to me, roughing it means staying in a hotel that doesn’t have premium cable! <grin>).

Every year it seems like we have a few power outages in the area where I live. These outages can last from 15 seconds to several hours and normally seem to occur in the early morning. I remember one fall where, for a couple of weeks we seemed to have a 1-5 minute outage every morning around 3am (I was writing code against a deadline at the time).

So now I’m trying to figure out how to ensure that I continue to sleep through the night without being woken up by the vagaries of the power company. The simplest solution would seem to be to buy another UPS like the ones I’m already using for my computers and home theater system. Unfortunately, all of the ones I currently own beep when they are running off of their batteries, not a problem when they are far enough away, but not something I want going off right next to my bed!

Has anyone found anything that might work?

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 6:21 pm

Purchase a 12 volt direct capable cpap . The PB GK 420E or the Respironics units work great from a 12 volt deep cycle battery. They'll run for days..

Now... If you're stuck with a older unit or a Resmed unit then all I can say is ......SELL IT. Cheap

All of the really good inverters have cooling fans and cost $125 & up . Look them up at http://www.invertersrus.com/ or just go to Wal Mart . But remember.. You get what you pay for. Your cpap will like you more if you give it pure power. However, it isn't necessary.

The humidifier isn't a necessity for a short time and the water may already be war when the power goes out. I would work sort of like a passover humidifier.

Best plan is to get a 12v cpap and the power cord thats needed to run from a battey !

:twis ted:

Fifi · Post by **Fifi** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 6:33 pm

Also have you considered using the UPS you already use which bleeps, but leaving it plugged in in another room, so you do not hear it bleeping and run a long power lead along the walls on the floor, so you do not trip on it, to your bedroom.

So your machine would be plugged into a long extension cable that plugs into the wall socket in another room.

Have you considered trying that?

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 10:57 pm

Are you people sure you can't disable the UPS beep, perhaps using software? I seem to remember that as an option - but I might be wrong...
O.

f4trees · Post by **f4trees** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 11:11 am

I've been considering the APC Smart-UPS XL (http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=164) because it offers "true sine wave output" which humidifiers need. However, I've run a number of nights without the humidifier before and don't absolutely need it, so I could probably go with their regular smart-UPS or Back-UPS RS line. The Smart-UPS can be configured with the audible alarm muted. I like the idea of something that does is unobtrusive and doesn't require me to have exposed cabling lieing around (or to build an enclosure for).

Of course, in the size I'd want (at least 3 hours run-time) the cost is not cheap ($300 - 600) so I keep putting it off. Well, that and because every time I go to Home Depot I see there whole-house backup generator display and think to myself "THAT would be nice to have...."

-Kurt

SickAndTired · Post by **SickAndTired** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 11:52 am

f4trees: Thanks for the link Kurt, but where did you see that they have the ability to completely silence the alarm? I have one of the small APC Smart-UPS, that I know can't be silenced (at least I haven't found a way yet).

On the capacity issue, I kinda figured that I would need either an hour or more than 8 hours, but I'm not sure how to convert that into actual VA capacity numbers. We don't get many outages that are between those 2 extremes. I also have to agree that the whole-house backup is sweet... expensive, but sweet!

I'm also with Kurt in that I really don't want to go the battery with seperate charger route, or run really long extension cords (in my case they would have to run up stairs! <grin>).

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 5:37 pm

Wal Mart 115 amp hr deep cycle battery $57
Wal Mart Inverter...............................$40
Charger for battery..............................$44

Being able to sleep ALL night without worry.....................PRICELESS

Those that have a Respironics or Puritan Bennett unit can save $40 since you don't need an inverter Just a $7 "M" comnnector .

:twis ted:

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 7:04 pm

sick and tired,

If you downlaod and read the user manual you'll see that there is a long list of settings that can be configured on the UPS. Caveat - you have to do it via their software on a PC connected to the UPS via a serial or USB cable. Assuming you have a PC that should'nt be a problem - configure the UPS and then you can unplug the PC. The software and PC does not need to remain connected to the UPS for the settings to hold.

Chrisp,
Your suggestion is great and would work fine assuming I decide not to use the humidifier if the power goes out and I can hide all the components. Thank you!

Lots to think about,

-Kurt

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 7:21 pm

I keep my 420E connected to my battery . Always. I plug the humidifier into the wall. When the power goes out I don't even notice. Just keep sleeping. Only reason I might know it went out is the beep the microwave makes or the clock needs resetting in the morning . Gotta love that 420E !

:twis ted: