Inverter for C-PAP September 20, 2017, 08:26:00 am No doubt this has been discussed before, but it didn't come up when I used the search option, so sorry for a repeat. I am about 2 weeks away from taking possession of a 24' RB and will be on a C-PAP machine. I'm told I need to get an inverter. Does anyone have experience with this? How much of an inverter would I need? Prices vary significantly and I can't imagine that the machine uses too much electricity. My LD does have a 100W solar panel - if that matters.Thanks in advance!
Re: Inverter for C-PAP Reply #1 – September 20, 2017, 08:57:18 am This may help:The Lazy Daze Companion: CPAPJust a reminder that the link to The Lazy Daze Companion (and links to additional essential sites) is found under the banner photo on the home page of the message board.
Re: Inverter for C-PAP Reply #2 – September 20, 2017, 09:17:31 am A couple of 'general electric' notes on things like this:1. If the device is AC-only, and somewhat sophisticated (eg, microprocessor controller which is usually revealed by some kind of display screen) then it's probably best to splurge on the 'pure sinewave' converter. This power will be just like a normal AC outlet, rather than some sort of square wave. Theoretically better for the unit's power supply, and probably less buzzy, too.2. A device that uses a 12V external supply can indeed be powered by the coach's batteries. Best to unplug it when actually starting the engine, though, since there can be spikes and over-voltage conditions that the unit may not be designed to handle. The big coach batteries will absorb some of those nasties, but that's just by chance, not necessarily design.3. For emergency backup of mission-critical stuff like a CPAP, one of those portable jump starters could be a big help if you run low on coach-supplied juice. Many other potential uses for it too, so a worthwhile item for the toolkit.Chip
Re: Inverter for C-PAP Reply #3 – September 20, 2017, 10:04:07 am If your CPAP has a heated humidifier, plan on turning that off when on inverter. The heater for the humidifier takes a fair amount of power, which would require a larger inverter and run your batteries down quicker. I ran a ResMed S9 on a cheap MSW inverter plugged into a 12V outlet in the rear of our MB (without humidifier).Art
Re: Inverter for C-PAP Reply #4 – September 20, 2017, 10:06:47 am If you will be using a CPAP machine with a humidifier the heating element for the humidifier will probably be a 60 watt load or something close to that. That will be a pretty big draw on the batteries but exactly how much is hard to say because it is unlikely that the heating element is on all the time that the machine is running. I use a CPAP machine that operates on 12V which allows me to operate it directly off the 12V MH batteries when I am camping without hookups. When I do that, I turn off the humidifier but fill the water tank so that I do receive some humidification from the air passing over the water at whatever temperature it happens to be. This presents a very light load on the 12V batteries and recharging the next day does not take long unless we have had heavy draw from other devices. The 12V power cord I use is sold by the CPAP manufacturer specifically for my model to replace the normal power brick (120V AC to 12V DC converter) when plugged into an AC power source. Your CPAP may have the same versatility.Monti
Re: Inverter for C-PAP Reply #5 – September 20, 2017, 11:28:10 am Boot Scooter,I do the same procedure as Monti. I plug in a 12V CPAP proprietary power supply to the CPAP machine and plug it directly into the 12V receptacle in the back of our 27MB. I think the current draw on the 12V power supply is less than using an inverter from 12V to 120V and then converting through the CPAP 120V power supply to the CPAP. Lately, I have been setting the humidifier at 3 and it doesn't exceed the current draw for the receptacle. I also bought a 12V extension from Amazon and snaked it through the cabinets so I can put the CPAP 12V power supply in the cupboard above the stbd side bed and not drape wires across my sleeping bride.HD
Re: Inverter for C-PAP Reply #6 – September 20, 2017, 08:25:04 pm WOW - I am so impressed by how helpful the LD community is!!!! It just warms my heart!A sincere thanks to all for the responses. I don't know why I couldn't find the subject when I was searching - I knew it had to be out there. Hope to meet you all in the not-too-distant future!Y'all are awesome! 1 Likes
Re: Inverter for C-PAP Reply #7 – September 20, 2017, 09:17:48 pm I went through this last year and found that the clap did not work on the inverter. I was able to order from Amazon a 12 volt cable which works with my Phillips Respironics machine. The cost was nominal. Ian, 27 MB SeattleSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone---
Re: Inverter for C-PAP Reply #8 – October 26, 2017, 11:35:51 am Thanks so much for this info! I had bought a small inverter and it did not make it through the night. Will try the 12 volt.
Re: Inverter for C-PAP Reply #9 – October 26, 2017, 03:48:43 pm From above talking about a jumper unit, I went ahead and bought the XP-10 on advice those here. More expensive than a typical, smaller jumper box. Big enough to jump a big engine like that in an E450.Haven't needed it myself but a few weeks back these folks across from us were getting ready to leave with their travel trailer and their Suburban or equivalent wouldn't start. The guy next to him pulls up with a big F150 or some such and tries to jump the guy. No go. They were one glum lot.I walked over with my little brick, XP-10 and told them I was confident this would start their hoss. The hubby looked at it with jaundiced eyes and said that big V8 couldn't jump him I don't think that little box will. I said, you have nothing to lose so I attached to his battery and that rig roared to life. They went from glum to ecstatic in a millisecond!!!That XP-10 is da bomb. I love gadgets especially when they are da bomb!!!😇 3 Likes
Re: Inverter for C-PAP Reply #10 – October 26, 2017, 06:07:06 pm Quote from: huskerblue - October 26, 2017, 03:48:43 pmI walked over with my little brick, XP-10 and told them I was confident this would start their hoss. The hubby looked at it with jaundiced eyes and said that big V8 couldn't jump him I don't think that little box will. I said, you have nothing to lose so I attached to his battery and that rig roared to life. They went from glum to ecstatic in a millisecond!!!That XP-10 is da bomb. I love gadgets especially when they are da bomb!!!😇The we first received our XP-10, I disconnected the LD's battery and used the jumper to start the LD ten times, in a roll.It has been used to start several different vehicles since, it has amazing cranking power. If you boondock regularly, and use a CPAP machine, consider installing two more house batteries, for a larger power reserve, extra solar panels and a bigger converter, for quicker recharging, when using the generator. Running out of battery power in the middle of the night is a pain and no one wants to hear a generator or RV's engine idling late at night. It's also extremely hard on the battery to be discharged so deeply.This happens regularly at LD Caravan Clubs GTGs. Usually, I hear the engine running, being quieter than the generator,Larry 2 Likes
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