Anyone use a CPAP?

[bobditch]

I just ordered a convertor from ResMed for my AutoSet II to use while boon-docking. One downside is you can't use the humidifier.
I'd like to hear from others with the same issues.
How long does a battery charge last you?
thanking you in advance,
Robert

[sunny16]

I have. The longest I have used mine is three days, I think. Battery lasted that long. The only part I didn't like is that the CPAP ends up blowing cold air at night, depending on where you are camping. I just run the hose under the covers to warm it the air up a bit. Works for me. I tried camping without the machine but I just don't sleep well.

[asianflava]

I used mine at IRG for 5 nights with the humidifier. I ran it off the battery in my galley, an Optima blue top. I borrowed a generator to charge the battery after the 3rd night (thanks Jim). I have a 12V model, so all I needed was a 12V cord that plugs into a cigarette lighter.

We keep the house relatively cold in the winter so I ended up getting a quilted hose cover to stop the self-inflicted waterboarding. It makes huge difference. I got mine from eBay.

[Kevin & Sandy]

I ran mine 5 nights on the IRG trip with no charging, but I don't use the humidifier. The volume of air on mine is set low compared to some, maybe that helps me with battery life.

I bought the adapter to plug it right into the 12V outlet because mine is a 12V unit, I use a "converter" when in the house.

[sdakotadoug]

Hey Asianflava, my wife uses a CPAP and wants to know what waterBoarding is. I don't want to admit I don't know either, Thanks Doug

[asianflava]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterboarding

When it's cold, the humidified air that the machine puts out will condense in the hose. By the time it gets to your mask or pillows the vapor has turned to water again. It's not really "waterboarding" but it is annoying.

[TheresaD]

I'm sooo glad to see this post. I've been thinking of posting a similar question. I just did my overnight sleep study last week and it's looking like a cpap is in my future. I have to go for another overnight to do a titration (I think that's what it's called) study where they put me on the machine to determine my needs. I've been soo worried about how this lovely new addition to my life is going to effect my being able to enjoy going camping. On the one hand I'm dreading it but at the same time I'm looking forward to getting my life back and feeling rested and less like a zombie all the time.
To those of you that camp with a cpap - Are there certain machines that are equipped in such a way that you can use them on regular 110 power when at home and that have some sort of 12v converter for use when camping? Is there a specific brand/model that I should discuss with my doctor? It sounds like you are all running yours off of the trailer battery. At present I don't have any power running to my trailer. That will be coming this spring if all goes well. Are there certain things that I need to plan for wiring wise in order to accommodate using a cpap in the trailer? Is there anything special that I need to do to get it wired up properly for when I'm camping w/ electric vs. running off the battery or is a good 110/12v wiring set up all that I need? Your experienced suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I was also wondering if there is some sort of alternative power source, perhaps similar to a battery, that I might be able to use if I'm camping without electricity until I have everything wired up. I don't own a generator and hadn't really thought about getting one but if necessary I will.
This whole thing has me very nervous and I'll be watching this thread to see what others have to say about the cpap while camping. I hope I haven't hijacked Robert's thread.

[dreadcptflint]

Yes, I camp with a CPAP for the last three years. (It was a primary reason why I have a Teardrop and am not back packing). Here are some points that I learned.

1. Depending on when and where I am camping, I have to turn off my humidifier or I get drenched.
2. My set up runs on either AC or DC.
3. In the past I have ran three and half days on my deep cycle battery.
4. The battery back up that I got from the CPAP store was junk and lasted one season.
5. The new machines are even nicer with built in battery back up.
6. I installed a Solar Panel and I am fully recharged by 10:00 am.

[asianflava]

This is the one I use, it's fairly small, about the size of a shoe box. I carry it on the plane when I travel. It is the same one that I use at home (it's the only one I have).


I didn't really have a choice in machines, they just gave me one. But then again, I didn't ask.

[rainjer]

I have had a CPAP for 12+ years. I now have 2 machines. The one I use in my teardrop is a old RESMED. It run on 120v or 12V with a different plug. I have a 115 amp/hour deep cycle battery in the trailer and can get 5 nights off a full charge running on 12v. I do not use a humidifier ever, even at home.

Jeremy

[bobditch]

6. I installed a Solar Panel and I am fully recharged by 10:00 am.

What kind of Solar panel do you use?

[Pottercounty]

Once in a while, I am able to get a couple of 12v gel batteries that are commonly used in power wheelchairs. These batteries are usually replaced every two years however, that is not even close to the end of their life cycle. Typically, when trickle charged regularly, they can last about 4-5 yrs. I gave one to a friend who does reenacting and boondocks in a period tent. He's had it for his CPAP and told me he can get 4 nights out of one charge & I gave it to him 4 yrs ago with two years of use on it at the time.
Maybe if you check with some Power Wheelchair dealers you may be able to pick up a couple of slightly used batts for cheap or free. It costs them to recycle these batteries so you may luck out. Remember, look for "Gel" batteries..

[alanmcd]

Theresa, there are battery packs you can buy for CPAP's, too. They are not cheap, though. Do a search online or find out what brand CPAP you're going to have and search it or go to the maunfacturer's web site. There are a number of options including 12v, 110 & battery. There are a lot of 3rd party batteries to chose from, too. There are also some really tiny CPAPS out there.

http://www.puritanbennett.com/prod/Prod ... S2=&id=256

http://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/CPAP.c ... Cable.html

http://www.cpap.com/cpap-battery-power/cpap-battery.php

http://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/CPAP.c ... Cable.html

When I boondock I hook mine up to a inverter then to the trailer battery but in my case I have a mystery problem in that haffway through the night it sets off the inverter alarm. I think it's due to the draw from the humidifier. I think my solution is to use it w/o the humidifier. I've only boondocked 3 times with it so far so next time will try it w/o the humidifier. I have a Respironic REMStar CPAP. I havn't splurged for the battery pack yet but may do so this season.

-Alan

[PanelDeland]

Discussing the make/model of machine with your Dr may not help much.In my case the "Dream Team"(medical supply store) does the ordering and such of my machine and supplies.They may be able to advise you on options that will be easier to get batteries and other back up power sources for.The newer machines have a card or chip in them that monitors your sleep,arousals(not that kind),leaky mask,hours of sleep and # of nights(%) used.You insurance co. may hassel you if you're not in "compliance".Sleep apnea does carry considerable risk.Be prepared to try different masks and such to get one that works for you.
Humidifiers are helpful but the "Dream Team" tells me that it's normal for men to use the humidifier more than women(a generalizaton of course) and if women use it they generally have the humidity turned lower.A couple of women I know claim they never filled theirs after the first couple of nights.
You will have an adjustment stage.Some people adapt to the machine in a couple to a few nights and others claim they spent a couple of months to get used to it.I started sleeping better after about a week and now barely sleep if I don't have it.

BTW My arousal rate went from 67 times and hour to about2-3.It makes a huge difference in how rested I feel.

[urban5]

Here is what I know.


My son is currently on a ventilator, but he was on a cpap for a little while when he was going through chemo. My experience is from daily life more than camping, but in reading the replies I had some things I wanted to share.

My son uses the same heater he did with his cpap, and in combination uses what is referred to as a heated circuit. The heated circuit is a heater wire that runs up the length of the tube, and keeps the tube warm. It does still build up some water in the tube, but I only need to dump it back in the resevoir once a night when temps are in the mid 60's.

Water boarding sucks, for all involved, but he has a trach which makes it worse. When he is going off battery power (which is when we travel) he uses a lawnmower sized deep cycle battery, and it lasts on average 13 hrs with just his vent (probably draws a little more than a cpap). We have two of these batteries, each in their plastic protective cases, similar to what you find in auto parts stores for big deep cycles but it is sized to match the smaller batteries. It seems that the batteries only last for 9 hrs with just theheater hooked up. Needless to say for him boondocking is not really an option as batteries fail he can't breath, but we also have 12v power adapters that let us plug everything off of car power. I can get you guys the part numbers for the tubes if you want just let me know.

I would bet that if you had the room and $ to do it, you could use a good solar cell set to charge the batteries during day time hours. My sons take 8hrs on average to charge. Also according to how important to your heal and comfort it is you could make a small battery pack all hooked in parallel maybe 4 deep cycle boat style batteries.