Camping With CPAP

Written by one of our CPAP customers (Larry)

"My semi-camping trip worked out well. I say "semi" because I did have access to AC power during the daytime for recharging the battery daily. Since I recharged daily, and typically only used the CPAP 7 hours at night, I believe I could have used the battery for 2 nights without recharging. I need to try at home before going wilderness camping.

I bought a 31.6 amp gel battery from West Marine. The battery is made by East Penn Manufacturing Co and is sold under several labels, but usually the same model/type number of 8GU1H. It weighs only 24.2 lbs. and is small at 7.75 X 5.125 X 7.25 inches. Cost range = $120 (on sale for $90).

I bought a 6 amp, 3-stage battery charger at West Marine that is small (1.5 X 3 X 6") and lightweight (1.5 lbs.). It is made to work with Gel batteries, which require a narrower recharging voltage range of 13.8 V to 14.1 V. The 1st stage of the charger charges quickly to 75% power, then stages 2 and 3 progressively gets closer to 100%. The most important feature of this type of charger is that it has a built-in regulator to prevent over-cooking the battery, which greatly reduces its life span. Cost = $120.

I bought a 12VDC-to-115VAC Power Inverter from Radio Shack. It provides 220W continuous power, 300W peak (for 5 minutes), and 600W hi-surge. Cost = $120.

My CPAP draws 1.68 amps per hour. East Penn also has gel batteries at 50.6 amps (38 lbs.), 73.6 amps (54 lbs.), and 86 amps (63 lbs.). So, depending on length of camping trip and a means to carry heavy items, one could choose two batteries of appropriate size for the duration of the outing without having to recharge.

Note: The battery does not have to be a gel battery or made by East Penn. I chose East Penn because as I shopped over the Internet and in stores, I notice that the same size batteries I was interested in looked similar and had the same model/type number. I chose a gel battery because it is the safest to use. It's sealed and I therefore do not have to worry about the battery tipping over and spilling acid or gases escaping - plus it's maintenance-free without having to add water (electrolyte). Gel is one of the newer, proven battery technologies with longer running time and life span than comparable wet cell batteries. They can be purchased at marine stores, or places that sell batteries for wheelchairs, plus some auto supply stores. Gel batteries typically cost about 10-20 % more.

Additional Information

visit the website address: www.newtechpub.com/phantom/psnews In that general vicinity is the article: "Battery Operation of CPAP devices for Sleep Apnea Treatment", Parts 1-4.