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Topic: CPAP machine while dry camping? (Read 10 times) previous topic - next topic
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CPAP machine while dry camping?
Yahoo Message Number: 1547
Can we run my Cpap machine on batteries only, It says 1.0 Amp AC max and DC 3.0 A max We plan to do lots of boondocking in our 1999 26 Mid bath. Will the generator recharge the batteries and how long does that take? Also how do you heat unit dry camping? and what kind of power does that use?
CPAP machine while dry camping?
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1548
The batteries should handle that for a few nights, but for extended boondocking, a couple of good-sized solar panels would assure you don't run out if the weather is sunny and you don't mind siting for maximum sun.

For heat we have added a small catalytic heater, which uses no electricity. We do not use it overnight while sleeping, but I usually turn it on in the early morning before rising for good. You need to provide some ventilation, but we insist on that anyway, keeping the bunk windows cracked open and the rear vent open. The low setting is usually all we need, but if it is cold enough the high setting won't keep up, we supplement a bit with the furnace. If it doesn't get above freezing during the day, we look for hookups.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
CPAP machine while dry camping?
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1551
I don't know what a Cpap machine is, but to determine how much time you can dry camp without charging batteries, you need to remember that 3 DC amps for an hour equals 3 ampere-hours, and your battery has 220 ampere-hours available, though it is dicey to use more than half that. The reason is that as the batteries discharge, voltage goes down, thus current goes up and the batteries then deplete faster.

Forget the generator for charging batteries - the converter puts out a paltry 13 amps max and more often less than 10. Run the coach engine; it is much quieter and you have 140 amps available, more than 10 times more than from the generator.

As for heating, use the furnace. If I remember, it uses 5 amps, which is little current. People who have had larger furnaces declare that it really sucks down the battery, but the relatively small furnace in your rig takes little power.

E mail me at  for the way to determine remaining battery capacity with a precision ($25) multimeter.

Happy new year

Gus Weber
CPAP machine while dry camping?
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1553
Hi John,

I worked In a campground in Yellowstone last summer that only had dry camp sites.
However, we would supply AC power to campers who needed it to power up their CPAP machines. I don't know if other NP campgrounds do the same for campers with sleep apnea, but I'm sure with a few telephone calls you could find out.

Good luck,

jack
CPAP machine while dry camping?
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1554
Hi John,

I worked In a campground in Yellowstone last summer that only had dry camp sites.
However, we would supply AC power to campers who needed it to power up their CPAP machines. I don't know if other NP campgrounds do the same for campers with sleep apnea, but I'm sure with a few telephone calls you could find out.

Good luck,

jack
CPAP machine while dry camping?
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1555
Hi John,

I worked In a campground in Yellowstone last summer that only had dry camp sites.
However, we would supply AC power to campers who needed it to power up their CPAP machines. I don't know if other NP campgrounds do the same for campers with sleep apnea, but I'm sure with a few telephone calls you could find out.

Good luck,

jack
CPAP machine while dry camping?
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1556
Hi, Before I had my nose reamed and the little thingee taken out of my throat, I used a Cpap in a 76 Dodge Bubbletop Van that we had. The single deep cycle battery would work just fine all night and then in the morning we would run the van motor for about a half hour to charge and warm up the unit.

I tell anyone that will listen to have the surgery. I was laid up for a couple days and sleep just fine now. I even sold the machine.

we have been ski camping with out 97 midbath and found that we have to turn off the furnice at night because it is too hot! I think LD is so well insulated that once you get the chill off, you can heat with body heat and a candle! I got the covers for the vents and the cabover bed windows. We put the shades and blinds down at night and have been very snug.

I agree with the later post, forget the generator for charging the house battries and use the MH motor to both charge and warm up the rig.

We don't have the generator and only miss it when we want to nuke something in the microwave. I realy do wish that I had the solar and an inverter that would run the microwave for a minute or two.

Hopes this helps. Sterling in Bend, Or