Backup power options?

The Carolinas are looking like Hurricane Irene's playground this weekend. As someone who doesn't have the insurance coverage option of buying a new machine with built-in battery backup, are there other good options, such as the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems usually used for computers?

Read this ... Another Battery Option!
Get em before they are all gone.

I have a handheld recording pulse-on with settable SpO2 and pulse rate alarms that I intend to use if/when power goes out -- it runs on 2 AA batteries so no worries about rechargeing lithium ion batteries. While it won't stop events, it will alarm if my pulse gets too freaky or I start desatting. I figure I can live with fragmented sleep for a few nights.

theoubobcat wrote:The Carolinas are looking like Hurricane Irene's playground this weekend. As someone who doesn't have the insurance coverage option of buying a new machine with built-in battery backup, are there other good options, such as the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems usually used for computers?

bobcat, those computer UPS's tend to provide minutes -not hours- worth of power.. long enough to shut down orderly. If you add a strong car or marine battery of same voltage as the internal battery, you may be able to "weather the storm".

Just check it out ahead of time, particularly making up new battery connections, so you don't fry something in the last minute excitement of the moment. Best wishes, and send any extra rain to us in West Texas!! earl

n0hardmask wrote:

theoubobcat wrote:The Carolinas are looking like Hurricane Irene's playground this weekend. As someone who doesn't have the insurance coverage option of buying a new machine with built-in battery backup, are there other good options, such as the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems usually used for computers?

bobcat, those computer UPS's tend to provide minutes -not hours- worth of power.. long enough to shut down orderly. If you add a strong car or marine battery of same voltage as the internal battery, you may be able to "weather the storm".

Just check it out ahead of time, particularly making up new battery connections, so you don't fry something in the last minute excitement of the moment. Best wishes, and send any extra rain to us in West Texas!! earl

This is true BUT, they provide minutes of a computer's power load. Your CPAP uses a fraction of the power a desktop computer does. The only real problem with the computer units is that they are designed to BEEP real loud when the power does go out. Some of these noise makers can be switched off, while others are always on as long as the unit is providing power. It all depends on how long you expect power to be out. Irene could knock it out for week, in which case, the PC UPS simply won't survive anyway.

I bought a UPS unit, and in the enclosed documentation it specifically said it is not to be used for medical equipment.

I assumed, based on today's litigious society, that this is a CYA statement.

I tried the "other battery option" and it only lasted 3 days before killing my back-up battery. So I got a short-term UPS and one of the cpap.com batteries. if the power goes out for more than a couple of minutes and the UPS starts to beep, I can get up and hook up the cpap.com battery.

I just have to remember to recharge the cpap.com battery every now and again to keep it at full charge.

Power is so lame out here in the country I sometimes lose it for DAYS. I have a generator that comes on within 30 seconds that powers most of the house and will run and extension cord from the basement to my room just for the CPAP and use a decent UPS for the 30 second window. I think thats my best bet. I would not count on a PC UPS system powering anything for a serious amount of time.

theoubobcat wrote:The Carolinas are looking like Hurricane Irene's playground this weekend. As someone who doesn't have the insurance coverage option of buying a new machine with built-in battery backup, are there other good options, such as the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems usually used for computers?

Please look at the link at the bottom of this post and list your equipment. It's needed to give you a good answer.