CPAPtalk.com

In case anyone is wondering, here's the Battery Backup Design post I created:

viewtopic.php?t=49115

I suspect when I turn that into a Wiki article, I should add a section that anyone can print and take to a parts store (or even a car mechanic) to have the battery put together by them. You might pay a few bucks for the assembly, but it would make it easier for those concerned that they could not put together the unit.

Would a instruction page for a mechanic / parts store be a good addition?

John, you did an excellent job of design, written descriptions and photos of the entire assembly process. If someone don't understand the process you have gone to great detail to describe, I don't feel they would be capable of proper assembly. Thanks for your effort. john

John I love that you figured it all out and are going to share all of your process.
I was going to have my son in California do it for me, but then he would have to mail it all out to me in Texas.
I just decided to go with the golf cart batteries since I already have them.
But, yes I do think an instruction page for an installer to set it up would be great.
Believe me when I say that everyone has a different idea on this thing. I have talked to many people (boat owners, mechanics, handymen, hardware store managers, battery store owners, and golf cart people.) Each with different ideas. So it is wonderful that you have clear instructions for us to just hand to the person doing the work.

I realize my situation is different because not everyone has a golf cart with 6 batteries sitting in their garage.

And, thank you for understand that all of us are not inclined to do stuff like this.

jazzer4 wrote:All of this is good, but the point I was trying to make is that Resmed could have had my money and yours if they would just do what they promised to do, or said they were going to do.

A Resmed DC adapter is just one part of any battery power solution. It will probably add a few percent in efficency and reduce the weight that would need to be transported slightly, but otherwise makes no significant difference to the general issues discussed here to date.

jazzer4 wrote:I'm tired of worrying and spending money, not to mention gas and miles on the car to collect everything needed for a few hours without house power.

You seem to think that a Resmed DC adapter is some sort of magic bullet, but its not. You'd still have to do those things.

jazzer4 wrote:It's ridiculous to sell medical equipment with no way to power it if the power goes out.

If you want to buy a medical grade UPS, get your check book out and look here....

http://www.tripplite.com/en/products/pr ... riesID=748

http://www.bomara.com/accratech/linear.htm

Cheers,

Bill

"You seem to think that a Resmed DC adapter is some sort of magic bullet, but its not. You'd still have to do those things."

Bill what I understood, or probably wanted to think was that Remed was making "something" that if the power went out I would just have to plug the machine into something else??? and it would work. See, that is how much I don't understand this crap. Now as I understand it from you I would still need a battery and converter right? But maybe not a voltage reducer So Bill tell me what this part Resmed is going to come out with does then. When does it go? Is a DC adapter something that takes DC power and changes it to AC?
Your right I was looking for the magic bullet for sure. I thought Resmed was making that magic bullet. I misunderstood.

Well dam, I don't have to worry about it anymore my golf cart will be returned tomorrow and I think, I hope, I'll be all set up.

I guess I need to spend more time at the library or hanging around auto repair shops or something

jazzer4 wrote:So Bill tell me what this part Resmed is going to come out with does then.

Right now, to run off battery power, you basically need:

• A battery charger
  A battery
  A DC to AC power inverter
  A Resmed AC Power Adapter
  A Resmed S9

As far as anyone knows so far, when Resmed releases an S9 DC adapter to run off battery power, you will basically need:

• A battery charger
  A battery
  A Resmed S9 DC to DC Adapter
  A Resmed S9

The only things that change are the underlined items above. (You'll still need the Resmed AC Power Adapter to run directly off wall socket power).

The changeover between AC mains power and battery will still be a manual process that involves unplugging and plugging some cables.

The benefit you get out of the change is that you don't need the DC to AC inverter any longer, and you get (maybe) a 5% to 10% increase in duration of operation from your battery.

Cheers,

Bill

billbolton wrote:... The changeover between AC mains power and battery will still be a manual process that involves unplugging and plugging some cables. ...

Bill, as always an excellent post. One note is that the design of the battery backup device plus the S9 will allow this to be automatic. Just plug the S9 into the power socket off the battery and even if the power stops the therapy can continue without interruption. The S9 is unique in this, since it can use the output from even a modified sine wave inverter to power the heated humidifier. And the unit will work either with the AC to DC converter for the S9 from Resmed or just use a modified sine wave inverter and use the normal AC adapter for the S9.

As long as I have no choice but to get a DC to AC inverter,
I guess I need to get one powerful enough to also run both units, a computer, phone charger and mini fridge.
Maybe I can plug it into the Prius--now that's a big battery.

JohnBFisher wrote:or just use a modified sine wave inverter and use the normal AC adapter for the S9.

Hi John,

I found this inverter/charger device, made here in Australia, which is interesting.... http://8zed.com/products/power-inverter ... ps,-charge.



It provides a very straightforward setup, with basically only the connection between the device and the battery as the only major thing to be done by the user (some minor work around battery boxes etc would also need to be done, as you have previously described) so it comes much closer to meeting Jazzer4's needs that most other solutions. The price is about 30% of the price of a S9 + H5i Autoset here in Australia, so it's OK for what it does.

The catch for those in North America appears to be that there are no similar 120V units on the market, as far as I can see.

The efficency of a true sine wave converter is a bit lower than for a modified sine wave type, but the overall convenience factor of the overall set up is much higher, plus you can power-up other bedside accessories such as a clock radio, and light etc as well, so its seems like a reasonable trade off.

Anyway, its something to keep a lookout for in the North American market... someone more driven than I am to find a similar device at reasonable cost might be able to turn a supplier up for a 120V device

Cheers,

Bill

$$$$...ouch, there is not even a battery included. John Fisher, you need to assemble your system for mail order, world-wide. john

jlk wrote:... John Fisher, you need to assemble your system for mail order, world-wide. john ...

Unfortunately, shipping the battery would cost a fortune.

After all, that's a lot of the cost of the battery - the shipping costs getting it to the store.

I think it will be easier if I provide a simple sheet for a mechanic. It takes more time to open packaging than it does to assemble the unit. Okay, cutting a whole in the battery box took a few minutes. But I honestly did not spend more than a couple hours on it and a mechanic could it it in MUCH less time. I think an assembly guide for a mechanic would suffice for those who don't feel up to the challenge.

Perhaps combine that with shipping the box and parts (one stop shopping, as it were) would be an option. Or perhaps CPAP.com could stop the stuff. I will explore those options.

Get the lead out. The entire assembly (charger, inverter,wiring harness...)would probably fit in the battery box with-out the battery in it. Shipped without the battery makes sense, you can get a deepcycle battery at many locations. Someone want to start a poll and ask how many orders would John Fisher get with his assembly? john

I have one question. How often does your power go out that you even need to worry about all of this? I lost power in my house last year a total of 3 times and only once during the night.

We had a 20 minute outage a few months ago, but others loose power for a few days and for health reasons, can't sleep w/o their hose on. With a severe case of apnea, it's not worth the body damage and peace of mind knowing there is a backup available sure can't cause any loss of sleep. john