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Inexpensive DC Power for CPAP


Posted by W6SA on October 24, 1999 at 13:32:48:

THIS SOLUTION IS ONLY FOR CPAP THAT CAN RUN DIRECTLY ON 12 VDC.

Now that I am using CPAP on a daily basis and feeling better I do not want to miss a night just because there is no power. I came close on two occasions, the most recent being the 7.1 Hector Mine Earthquake. Our lights flickered but stayed on. Two blocks away they were in the dark. Even though it was half way through the night, I still would have wanted to be able to use my CPAP.

I have many Gel Cell Batteries rated 22 - 26 Amp Hours which I use as an emergency power source for my Ham radio station. I've tried using an inverter to power my computer and it generated so much noise on the radio that I would have returned it even if it didn't blow up in the first hour. Did not want to go that route again.

Resperonics makes a kit consisting of a DC power cord you can plug into a cigarette lighter which would connect to the 12 volt jack of my Solo CPAP and also a receptacle which you can connect directly to a battery, with clips, which the other cable would plug into. I've priced the kit at $50.00 and even higher if you buy the cables separately. TOO MUCH MONEY!

If your CPAP is capable of running directly on 12 volts you can forget about an Inverter, for big bucks, and just go to Radio Shack. For $16.00 plus tax I purchased a Universal DC Power Cord Part #2701528, with 5 different size jacks (The white tipped one fits the Solo), and a 12 volt Receptacle with Battery Clips Part #2701527.

In a worst case scenario you could always run off your car battery. I have seen small battery packs with built in chargers in various places and occasionally at quite reasonable prices. I don't know what the amp hour rating is on them. I haven't had a need for one so I am not sure what type of store they would be available in but CPAP users are a resilient bunch of people and if we need something badly enough we will find it.

Theoretically if your unit draws 2 amps, as mine does, a 22 Amp hour battery should last approximately 11 hours before needing a recharge. Do the math based on how long you sleep. It probably will not last quite that long but you should be able to get a night of use out of it. If you need more power there is always the car battery or you could just sleep in your car or van.

I hope this will be of help to someone trying to set up an emergency power source or give them an idea that will work for them. If you camp out and need power you can skip the inverter if your unit will run on 12 Volts DC. That's one less thing to carry with you.

I tried it last night and it ran through the whole night with no problems of course you could not power your heated humidifier this way but in an emergency cold humidity or none at all will have to do. At least you can breathe.

Good Luck,

Walt

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