Backpacking & tent camping

The jump starter units should work because its the same type of system Respironics is selling for $300.



https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... d-kit.html

I opened a jump starter unit that I keep in my car and its an AGM battery like the one below.
http://www.apexbattery.com/toyo-6fm18-b ... eries.html

http://www.batterystuff.com/kb/articles ... ics.html#3

cosmo wrote:

DeeMax45 wrote: Deep cycle is definitely out of the picture so now onward and upward. I'm not sure if the one shown here is a Li-on or not, but I'm assuming so since it would appear from your post that there are only the 2 choices..deep cycle 12V DC or a Li-on.

Would a battery jump start unit work for you? Price is $100 or less and would also come in handy to jump start the caravan.

It would be great if something like that would work. However, after everything that I've seen online and in reading my machine's manual, it sure seems like these little machines are very complex units electrical wise. Does anyone in the group use something like this?

Dee in FL

DeeMax45 wrote:Since my sleep apnea severity was rated as moderate versus severe, I'm actually tempted to just wing it for awhile without making any kind of battery backup decision.

That, IMO, is a viable option. You will find many on this forum who are adamant about never sleeping w/o a CPAP, but I do it most every day for a nap, and have done it once or twice when my CPAP died or the power went out. I'm still here, although I am rethinking the advisability of using a CPAP while napping. There are a number of members here who say that any significant number of hours of sleep w/o masking up leaves them w/ headaches, or feeling groggy, or just plain feeling bad. I have not experienced those impacts. My older brother just started CPAP a few months ago. When he asked the doc about camping the doc said a few nights w/o the CPAP were not going to kill him. One or two nights w/o CPAP is not a death sentence, but it could be a 'feel bad' sentence!

If you are comfortable with the idea, I would second your thought about waiting. After you've been on the CPAP a few months you may try a night w/o it just to find out what the effect is. If it's awful, and the probability of losing power is enough to cause concern, then get a backup of some sort. If the effect is tolerable, and the probability is pretty low, then you may be wise to take your chances.

I have two deep cycle batteries out in the garage. Would I go get one in the middle of the night if the power goes out and finish the night on the battery? Not if it's going to be only 3 or 4 hours before time to get up. If the power goes off before I go to bed then I probably would hook up the battery.

As you will find out in due time, there is no "one size fits all" with anything about this therapy.

DeeMax45 wrote:I picked up my machine last Thursday so my compliancy clock is already ticking.

Not to worry. If you're on Medicare the compliance is something like 4 hrs + for 80% of the nights for any 30 consecutive days in the first 90 days you have the machine. Not hard to meet at all. The only ones here who have a problem meeting the compliance requirement are those who have a serious problem tolerating the mask, for any one of a number of reasons. One of the reasons is attitude, which from the way you write, will not be an issue with you. Mask fit, maybe, but that can almost always be overcome. If mask fit is a problem just come back here and you'll get all sorts of suggestions about what to do.

DeeMax45 wrote:
It would be great if something like that would work. However, after everything that I've seen online and in reading my machine's manual, it sure seems like these little machines are very complex units electrical wise. Does anyone in the group use something like this?

Dee in FL

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=83511&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

People are using the car jumpers.

NotLazyJustTired wrote:My guess would be no. One of my hobbies (which I hope to get back to soon) is astrophotography. Basically we are talking about running a laptop, camera, telescope and a few other items in the middle of a field; so not to unsimilar to running a CPAP at a campsite. Most folks use deep cycle marine batteries for this. Reason being, these batteries are designed to deliver amps over a long period of time (ala "deep cycle"). Most jump starters are like automotive batteries; they deliver high amperage for a relatively shorter period of time and then need to be recharged. It is why it is recommended that your start your engine when you are jumping someone else off.

I realize deep cycle batteries are not a good solution for back packing, but just wanted to clarify the difference between these jump starters. I expect that battery would run a CPAP for several hours, but multi-night without recharge? I doubt it, but it might depend on the power requirements of your CPAP.

A jump starter battery will work just fine. It just won't run your machine as long as a car battery sized deep cycle battery.

Turn off the heated humidifier and you'll probably get at least one night. Quite a few people have gotten 2 or more nights.

Most jump starter batteries are more like a deep cycle battery than a "starter" battery. They'll take a fairly deep discharge without too much loss of lifetime of the battery.

I think you misunderstand what a deep cycle battery is. A starter battery will deliver just as much current for just as long as a deep cycle battery. The problem with a starter battery is that if you run it down fairly far, it damages the battery and shortens its life. A deep cycle battery is less susceptible to this.

As for it not working for several nights, you need to consider what your needs are.

How long are you likely to have a power failure? It's been ages since my power's been off at home for more than a day. If you're in the situation where you have more than one night's outage, you may be able to find another place to sleep or somewhere you can recharge your battery the next day.

One option if a car sized deep cycle battery is too heavy is to have more than one jump starter.

I'm going to spend the next few weeks getting comfortable using my machine. But when I am ready to make a decision which way to go for a battery backup, I now have tons of info available to me. Thanks so much everyone for all of the great help.

Dee in FL

I am going tent camping for 2 weeks with no electricity. I cannot lift a marine battery. I must have the cpap. I would also like to be able to run a box fan. I have been to batteries plus and came out more confused than when I went in. I also want to get a solar recharger. Money is a consideration. HELP!
REMstar Plus C-Flex Phillips Respironics Manual says Supplying DC power to device. The respironics DC Power Cord can be used to operate this device in a stationary recreational vehicle, boat, or motor home. The Respironice DC Battery Adapter Cable, when used with the DC Power Cord enables the device to be operated on a 12 VDC free standing battery. What does that mean? Do I have the DC Power Cord. I only have the one that I plug into the wall which I think is AC 12volt???

Cheapest option is to by a marine battery. Have the store carry it to your car. When you get to the campsite, have someone carry it to the tent for $5.

Possibly try the Aveo TSD.... practice for a few days before relying.
Tim

SUNSHINE 66 wrote:I am going tent camping for 2 weeks with no electricity. I cannot lift a marine battery. I must have the cpap. I would also like to be able to run a box fan.

Uhhh, I hate to say it, but you are in trouble. For 2 weeks and wanting to use a box fan you pretty much have no choice but to use a generator. Sad to say but 2 weeks with a CPAP and box fan is at odds with "money is a consideration." A solar collector large enough to supply your power need is going to be pricey. Harbor Freight has a small generator that is on sale quite often for about $100. I have no idea how good they are, or how noisy they are, but that is an option worth considering. If you are physically limited to not being able to lift a marine battery I sure hope you are going with someone who can. I'm going to be so pessimistic as to say that if you can't lift more than, say, 20 pounds, 2 weeks tent camping with a CPAP is pretty much not doable. Sorry.

If you haven't done so already read all the posts from the past couple of years about battery backup and camping (separate searches). It will help you get your desires into perspective about what is possible and practical to do.

You will need to decide just how important the box fan and humidifier are going to be. Both of those are energy pigs. If you can get by with just the bare CPAP then one, or two for sure, deep cycle marine batteries should easily get you by for 2 weeks. Also, a solar charger for that power load won't break your piggy bank, but it will injure it. You could get by with one deep cycle and maybe even a smaller battery.

Please put your equipment in your profile so we can give you a better guesstimate as to what your power needs will be. If you are willing, tell us about how much you are willing to spend. That will help us to give you viable suggestions.

I have a Transend P8 multi night battery plus the Transend solar panel for sale for $475.00, which is a really good price! I have been unable to adapt to my CPAP machine. These were purchased two weeks ago. They are brand new.

Thanks