12 volt DC outlet ( lighter type )

[Hitchpin]

Hi To All !

I have sleep apnea, I use a cpap machine at night, it runs on 110 volts AC and 12 volts DC.

I need to install a 12 volt DC outlet ( lighter type ), that way if the electric goes out I will be able to use my cpap. My question is, should I run the wiring from the converter or straight from the battery with a fuse?

Thanks.

[texnet]

It would be best to run the wiring from the battery as long as the length is not a long way. If the converter is closer to where you want the 12vdc outlet then I would run it from the battery side of the converter.

[Hitchpin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by texnet It would be best to run the wiring from the battery as long as the length is not a long way. If the converter is closer to where you want the 12vdc outlet then I would run it from the battery side of the converter.

The plug would be about 1' from the converter, the converter is only about 5' from the battery.

[wa8yxm]

The lighter type outlets are not all that reliable, I have major issues getting a good reliable feed, I much prefer anderson power poles but alas, your hardware does not come so equipped.

I tapped the light power next to the bed (the reading lamp) it's good for at least 50 watts with the light off. soliid, and reliable, the 12 volt Accessory outlets are more reliable than the 12 volt lighter outlets (even if they look identical) so that's how I charge my cell and occasionally run my laptop (via a DC/DC converter)

Do not use a CPAP though,

You are wise to want to run it on 12vdc instead of inverting to 120vac and then down converting though, Way more efficient.

[hometool]

just wanted to share my experances with cpap/bipap i tried but was unable to get my bipap to run on 12v even got a chord from the company that bilt it no luck. what i wond up doing was installing an inverter. the inverter works well for me i use a bipap and the dw uses a cpap i can run both machines plus the heat and lights for 8hrs+ without killing the house batteries. lee

[Hitchpin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hometool just wanted to share my experances with cpap/bipap i tried but was unable to get my bipap to run on 12v even got a chord from the company that bilt it no luck. what i wond up doing was installing an inverter. the inverter works well for me i use a bipap and the dw uses a cpap i can run both machines plus the heat and lights for 8hrs+ without killing the house batteries. lee

Did the 12v power cord have a fuse in it? if so the fuse may have been bad, or the cord itself may be bad.

Did you plug the 12v power cord in and use a tester to see if you had power on the end that plugs in your bipap?

[hometool]

yes the 12v cord i tried to use had a fuze in it and the fuze was good i would get power to the machine but it would not run it would go part way through start up and shut down lee

[wa8yxm]

May have been low batteries and it may have been the "Reliability" of the 12 volt LIGHTER sockets I mentioned.. This is why I prefer power poles. Though 12 volt accessory sockets are better than lighter sockets for reliability. they are still a long way from good.

[Hitchpin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm May have been low batteries and it may have been the "Reliability" of the 12 volt LIGHTER sockets I mentioned.. This is why I prefer power poles. Though 12 volt accessory sockets are better than lighter sockets for reliability. they are still a long way from good.

What do you mean by power poles?

[Akibase]

Hi fellow Cpap user. It sure helped my health. I have run a line with a good quality lighter plug from my battery (with fuse) to a drawer next to the bed. I have a cobra 250 watt inverter mounted in the drawer and open the drawer just enough to plug my cpap in at night. By having it in the drawer it is nice and quiet. I can get a solid eight hours of use with no problem. I have duel batteries. It works well this way when dry camping. Hope this helps.

[Shadowcatche]

I will second the Anderson Power Pole
Anderson Powerpoles:
I have removed all of the cigarette/power outlets and installed power pole connectors and wall plates. A very reliable connector.

[Hitchpin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadowcatche I will second the Anderson Power Pole Anderson Powerpoles: I have removed all of the cigarette/power outlets and installed power pole connectors and wall plates. A very reliable connector.

What are power poles?