CPAP anyone?

[mgarr682]

Is anyone using CPAP aboard running from the 12 volt system? That's running off the batteries, no shore power. After several fishing trips this year that involved sleeping aboard two, three, or four nights each trip I've decided that I really don't want to skip sleeping with my CPAP machine even for a few nights.

My boat has two batteries, an Interstate 24M-XHD cranking battery and an Interstate SRM-24 house battery. I'm thinking the house battery should run the CPAP all night with no problem but thought I'd check to see if anyone has actually done it.

Any help appreciated!

[Ramon Sr]

I use a ResMed Elite II CPAP. I purchased a ResMed inverter that I plug to the DC outlet and use it when I anchor out. I went online and bought it from ResMed--$95. It draws from the "house" battery and works fine.

[Sunbeam]

Can you see how much your specific machine draws? Then compare to battery amp hours (plus draw of inverter if it doesn't run on DC directly).

Maybe that's stating the obvious, and if so ... never mind! (I just figured that different ones might draw different amounts anyway, plus variation in battery amp hours, etc.)

I've missed your "getting my new boat ready" posts -- but OTOH, glad you are out using the boat vs. getting ready

[thataway]

Harvey is an expert on this subject. There are both battery operated as well inverter operated units. For example there is a 12 volt adaptor for some Respironics machines.

What unit do you have, does it use a "wall wart"? What is the current draw and voltage if it does have a wall wart?

[AstoriaDave]

Not a CPAP user. However, folks set up next to me in Barkley Sound used a solar cell array, maybe 3 feet by 3 feet to charge a battery, which powered the CPAP 8 hours or so overnight. They were at this for a week, so the array maintained the charge. Did not pursue details of the array or what battery they used, believe it was a small gel cell similar to a small motorcycle battery.

[Grumpy]

My Bi-Pap works fine but do not use the humidifier attachment (if youhave one) as these take high power like about 7A.

M

[hardee]

Hi Mike,

Yes, There are a lot of folks who use CPAP on their boats, RV's, commercial air flights and I know of one person who used a CPAP off his motorcycle. (Yes the moto battery was modified --read enlarged some -- but he was able to do it without additional charging accesseries like solar or plugging in somewhere.)

For those who are still wondering. CPAP = Continuous Positive Air Pressure, and it is treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome. There are variations called BiPAP or APAP and there are other types of apneas.

I use CPAP, and would not consider going without for overnight. My particular set up is an older Respironics REMstar, which is rated at 1.0 amps at 110VAC but it has a direct 12 volt plug-input so I can run it directly off a 12VDC cig plug on the boat. For a while we were running to CPAP's each night, (same models). Typical run time is 7-8 hours each. Neither device is running a humidifier, and the batteries on the boat are Group 27's (2) run through a 1-2-Both switch on "Both". Battery voltage generally drops from 12.7 to 12.3 or 12.4.

Running twin 40 Yamaha's, the batteries are back up after about an hour of cruising. YMMV.

There are multiple combinations of stand alone batteries, adapters and accessory chargers available. What you use will depend on what company made your machine. The most common are ResMed and Respironics. There are others, DeVelbis, Fisher Pykel, GoodNight are common alternatives. Respironics machines run on 12 VDC, Respironics run on (I believe) 18 volts, so it requires a "brick" to adjust the voltage.

For the best device for your machine, it is best to go to your DME (durable medical equipment) provider and they will connect you with the machine manufacture for their approved device. Obviously there are alternatives, but the CPAP is a medical device and your health depends on it's proper function and your effective use.

As mentioned, you will probably not want to use the humidifier heater as it will suck up a huge amount of power. Some use them with the water in and unheated. Some (as I do) opt to not even include the humidifier in the circuit. That is probably not best for the respiratory system, but it is still functional CPAP and will get the job done.

I hope that helps.

Harvey
SleepC

[mgarr682]

I love this place. I can count on quick answers from people who have been there before me. Thanks to all for the quick responses.

Sunbeam - As much as I enjoyed getting the boat ready last winter and spring I enjoyed the fishing this summer and fall more!

[hardee]

It was just pointed out to me that I posted a confusing statement:

[Valkyrie]

I use a V-Pap simply by plugging it into a $30 Radio Shack inverter inserted into a 12 volt "cigarette outlet" and it works just fine, drawing very little power from my two house batteries.

Nick
"Valkyrie"

[hardee]

Nick, As I said, there are other options. I chose not us use the inverter because my Respironics will drive off the 12 power plug directly. Also, if you don't need to run the inverter you don't expend extra energy converting from 12 to 110 and back to 12.

Good on you, for making the effort to keep the VPAP therapy going.

Harvey
SleepyC

[Will-C]

Like Nick we use a 400 watt inverter and use a six outlet surge strip to charge camera batteries,phones, and run a CPAP machine through the night.
D.D.

[mgarr682]

Thanks for the info, everyone. I've decided to replace my old machine with a new one that will run on 12 volts to cut the inverter out of the loop and save a bit of batter power. If my group 24 battery isn't quite enough I can go up a size or two on my house battery to give me a bit more reserve. Plus, the new machine is much smaller which will come in handy on motorcycle trips. Also, after several phone calls to my insurance company and their contract provider I have discovered that I can save over $1100.00 by forgetting about them and just buying the new machine myself. Go figure.

Thanks again!

[hardee]

Mike,

You can bypass your local DME, and purchase the PAP device on the internet. Most (I should say "any") legitimate equipment supplier will require a prescription to dispense the device. it is OK to go that route.

It is best if you do not ignore proper follow up with your sleep specialist after you start using the device, to ensure you are receiving adequate and effective therapy. The main objective of PAP therapy is to normalize sleep. Unfortunately, when we are asleep, we don't know much about what is going on with our sleep, (See my tag line , so it helps to have witnesses. One of the best is the little SD card in the PAP machine. It won't lie and it has good detailed info which we use to adjust therapy as needed. That step is often missed on a private purchase device.

Sleep Well my friend,

Harvey
SleepyC

Though in our sleep we are not conscious of our activity or surroundings, we should not, in our wakefulness, be unconscious of our sleep.

[mgarr682]

As a note to anyone else considering whether their house battery will run a C-PAP all night...

This past Wednesday night I ran my Wallas stove/heater (the single burner 800t model) from 7:30 pm till 7:00 am on Thursday along with my REMstar Plus 60 Series C-PAP from 9:00 pm till 6:00 am off of my Interstate SRM-24 house battery with no problems at all. Both pieces of equipment chugged away all night without a hitch. Also, LED cabin lights for short periods.