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homeless · 03-03-2012, 07:29 AM

I would like to know if my cigarette liter will hold up my cpap machine all night?

PS: I am new at this foam I hope I have did this right?

jzick · 03-03-2012, 07:46 AM

Assuming you are asking whether you will have enough DC power (battery) for your CPAP, you will need to know some things. How much current (DC) will the CPAP draw. This should be on a label on the machine. How large, how many, and what type batteries do you have? How many amp hours will the battery supply to reach 50% charge?

homeless · 03-03-2012, 08:37 AM

When the cpap comes on it says 2.5 amps I guess! I have two new deep cycle coach batteries and a pretty new truck battery. I have not determined if the lighter is hooked to the coach or truck battery yet. I wonder if only one battery would go dead or if the whole system would go dead? I also wonder if say the truck battery went dead over night can I jump it with the coach batteries? I got lots of what ifs but not many facts???

I was hoping someone else might have had some expernece with this issue?

frankdamp · 03-03-2012, 10:04 AM

Your dashboard cig lighter is most likely connected to the chassis battery. There may be another one near to the bedroom that's on the house 12V system. If not, it's fairly easy to add one.

When I was in hospital at Christmas time for angioplasty, I was hooked to a respiration monitor when I went to recovery. My daughter was visiting while I was asleep and she says an "APNEA" warning flashed up on the montior every few minutes. I'm waiting to get a sleep study appointment and expect to have a CPAP in my life shortly.

I'm glad to know that there are 12V DC versions. We don't boondock at present, but you never know when you might have to take a sleep stop where there's no shore power. I also have two 12V deep cycle batteries for the house. I'll have to look up the specs to see how long they'd run for a 3-Amps or so load.

Most rigs also have an emergency start button (usually spring-loaded off) that will allow you to use the house 12V to turn the engine over.

GaryKD · 03-03-2012, 11:12 AM

Hi homeless,
Your machine must be a much newer model than my wife's machine. Hers draws 4.16 AMPS. To determine if your batteries can keep up with the CPAP, you'll need to know the AMP hours the coach batteries are rated for. Then you can determine if the CPAP can run all night or not. At 2.5 AMPS your pulling only at 30 WATTS. That is not much power. In contrast, my wife's machine pulls 50 WATTS at 4.16 AMPS.

For me, I'd forget running the machine off the chassis battery.

clyon51 · 03-03-2012, 11:42 AM

I have an older CPAP and I use it every night (at least 8 hours) even when dry camping. We also have 2 6volt coach batteries and 1 chassis battery. DH wired a 12v receptical in the BR so it runs off the coach batteries.

DH says we can go over 48 hours before the batteries go below 50%. I dont see any reason you couldnt use the chassis batt for 1 night if you need to, especially if you have an AUX/BOOST switch. If not, yes you can use jumper cables.

Clay L · 03-03-2012, 03:05 PM

The machines made by Respironics in the last few years will run off 12 vdc - both blower and humidifier. The humidifier is the power hog. The blower amperage will vary depending on the pressure used and the humidifier amperage will depend on the temperature setting and room temperature. The ratings on the machine are a maximum number and you may use less.

On the older M Series machines only the blower ran on 12 vdc - the humidifier required 120 vac. When I sent mine in for a humidifier recall it came back with one that ran on 12 vdc. I think the change over was about 4 years ago.

My new Respironics System One (One year old) only requires 12 vdc.

Most CPAP users report they can get several nights on house batteries without the humidifier in heat mode. With it in heat mode some get only one night.

I am not familiar with the other popular machines (Resmed for one). If you don't have a Respironics maybe someone that has your brand will help.

carahsue · 03-03-2012, 05:40 PM

My DH has a ResMed CPAP with a transformer that will run 2 nights off the house batteries . If we run the generator some , during the day , it will last longer.
The secound night , just before daylight , the alarm came on

because the batteries were getting low . Educational !

"007" · 03-03-2012, 07:55 PM

If your located at a camp ground you should have no problem your converter is suppling the 12 volts.
Your house batteries would be of better use, your chassis battery may not get charged from converter on your 1990 year coach.
If your dry camping the house batteries as every one has said should be sufficient plus the Gen can supply 110 for converter.
Most Gen's need the house batteries to start which should be taken under consideration also.

Kurmudgeon · 03-03-2012, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carahsue

My DH has a ResMed CPAP with a transformer that will run 2 nights off the house batteries . If we run the generator some , during the day , it will last longer.
The secound night , just before daylight , the alarm came on

because the batteries were getting low . Educational !

The alarm is only a problem if you sleep with your hearing aid in.

homeless · 03-04-2012, 04:30 AM

Thanks for all your information. We will let you know how it turns out!

frankdamp · 03-04-2012, 09:40 AM

AAMI, can you not just go without the machine for a couple of hours if the power goes out? I wouldn't have 115Vac or 12Vdc back-up for using the CPAP at home.

My wife reckons I've had apnea for many years, but my experience in hospital last December was the first independent verification.