CPAP help, new - R-pod Owners Forum

Author

Share Topic

Topic Search

Topic Options

furpod

Moderator Group - pHp

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128

Topic: CPAP help, new
Posted: 14 Oct 2017 at 4:59pm

CPAP's have a couple large power draws that can affect them. Most importantly, turn the heater and vaporizer functions off, that will reduce the load by about 60-70%.

Dual GC2's are the best option for your needs. I don't want to bother with the conversion rates, but boxes can be bought for $12 each here, and decent GC2's can be picked up for around $90 each. You need one $5 battery cable to link them. So $220 or so here. It isn't rocket science and you don't need to pay a RV tech to install them.

Also, 1200 AMPS will run most of your street. You need 1000 or so WATTS.

Going to dual GC2's, from a single Group 27, will raise your tw by about 30lbs. We ran dual GC2's, dual propane tanks, and a power tongue jack, and our tw was around 340lbs.

Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Location: Mayville, WI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1447

Posted: 14 Oct 2017 at 12:34pm

FWIW I think you mean 1200W not 1200A. If you are in a campground then you will be able to recharge your batteries with a generator but I haven't seen one in quite a while that will let you run even the quietest genset at night.

There are a few CPAP folks here who can tell you what they did to make them work. Not having used one I can't comment, but I am sure you will get a solution or two when those folks check in.

Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150

GlueGuy

Senior Member

Joined: 15 May 2017
Location: N. California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2706

Posted: 14 Oct 2017 at 12:28pm

There most probably are others on the list that need to run a CPAP. There have got to be units that draw a lot less power. I'm thinking if you can get one that runs on an amp or two that you might have more options. Probably be more quiet as well.

bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

NAP1947

Groupie

Joined: 14 Aug 2017
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 72

Posted: 14 Oct 2017 at 11:21am

Thank you both, I used the numbers off the CPAP power source specs and readily admit I am not an expert (maybe enough to be dangerous, but old age is making me cautious).

Anyway, you confirmed my gut feel that batteries, even golf cart are not going to safely run these units.

The units are a few years old and I am sure new ones are more efficient but new are not in the budget.

It is good to know there are now restrictions on generator use as we have experienced the noise and fumes in our tent trailer days.

However, I do need to pursue that option. Seems like a small 1200 amp unit would run the CPAPs and be the quietest, but I need to understand the noise issue better. The CPAPs would be more important than the A/C or microwave.

We are planning a few long trips and I am sure we will run into sites and locations without power where we need another source. I expect our usual stopping places will be camp grounds with power available.

I will look further at generators and that will probably generate more questions but for now I will accept the single 12 volt battery the dealer provides.

Cheers

Tars Tarkas View Drop Down

Senior Member

Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Location: Near Nashville
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1454

Posted: 14 Oct 2017 at 11:05am

A generator can be a great addition, but the main thing about generators and camping is that, maybe depending on what kind of camping you do, a whole lot of campgrounds have quiet hours when running a generator is prohibited. Some have generator hours that are even more restrictive.

If you go with a generator, consider getting one with at least 2400 watts. That should run your air conditioner OR the microwave (not both at the same time.)

TT

2010 176
FJ Cruiser

GlueGuy

Senior Member

Joined: 15 May 2017
Location: N. California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2706

Posted: 14 Oct 2017 at 10:30am

Something is not right about your numbers. 13 amps @ 12 volts is 156 watts. Is that a maximum or surge value? It also sounds like a humongous load. I'm inclined to go with your second figure, which is 70 watts (which would be 5.8 amps at 12 volts).

Then simplify your calculations by using watts for everything.

70 watts * 2 * 8 hours = 1120 watt-hours.

The battery you mentioned (group 27, 92 AH (is it 12 volts?)) will provide 1104 watt-hours to complete discharge. You can't use that value, as discharge below 50%. It's only going to provide ~~ 550 watt-hours before it will start to be damaged.

So you're going to need more than twice that power, and that is only going to accommodate the CPAP, and nothing else.

I'm thinking there must be more efficient CPAP machines. That power consumption seems excessive.

bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

NAP1947

Groupie

Joined: 14 Aug 2017
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 72

Posted: 14 Oct 2017 at 10:19am

we hope to close on an RP179 this week.

We both use CPAP units that draw 13A at 12 volts, the quoted Power Consumption is 70W typical.

I figure this to be 13A times a typical 8 hour night is 104 Ah, therefore 208 for the 2 units.

The battery that is provided is a Group 27 providing 92 amp hours with 195 minutes reserve.

Assuming I understand what I have read this battery, even 2 will not run the CPAPs.

2-6 volt golf cart batteries appear to be able to do the job but at a cost of almost 800 CDN (including a battery box) plus putting my tongue weight up to about 350 lbs, even using a WDH this causes me concern.

Seems I would be better to invest in the quietest 2000 watt inverter generator I can find rather than spend the $$ on the batteries plus I get the benefit of running other electrics (although not the a/c).

I would really appreciate some expert advice from knowledgeable folks who are using CPAP units, especially in dry camp situations, before we close our deal.

Thanks, Norm

Hope I put this in the right place.

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
furpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128	Topic: CPAP help, new Posted: 14 Oct 2017 at 4:59pm
	CPAP's have a couple large power draws that can affect them. Most importantly, turn the heater and vaporizer functions off, that will reduce the load by about 60-70%. Dual GC2's are the best option for your needs. I don't want to bother with the conversion rates, but boxes can be bought for $12 each here, and decent GC2's can be picked up for around $90 each. You need one $5 battery cable to link them. So $220 or so here. It isn't rocket science and you don't need to pay a RV tech to install them. Also, 1200 AMPS will run most of your street. You need 1000 or so WATTS. Going to dual GC2's, from a single Group 27, will raise your tw by about 30lbs. We ran dual GC2's, dual propane tanks, and a power tongue jack, and our tw was around 340lbs.

Keith-N-Dar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 03 Apr 2011 Location: Mayville, WI Online Status: Offline Posts: 1447	Posted: 14 Oct 2017 at 12:34pm
	FWIW I think you mean 1200W not 1200A. If you are in a campground then you will be able to recharge your batteries with a generator but I haven't seen one in quite a while that will let you run even the quietest genset at night. There are a few CPAP folks here who can tell you what they did to make them work. Not having used one I can't comment, but I am sure you will get a solution or two when those folks check in.
	Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2706	Posted: 14 Oct 2017 at 12:28pm
	There most probably are others on the list that need to run a CPAP. There have got to be units that draw a lot less power. I'm thinking if you can get one that runs on an amp or two that you might have more options. Probably be more quiet as well.
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

NAP1947 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 14 Aug 2017 Location: Ottawa, Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 72	Posted: 14 Oct 2017 at 11:21am
	Thank you both, I used the numbers off the CPAP power source specs and readily admit I am not an expert (maybe enough to be dangerous, but old age is making me cautious). Anyway, you confirmed my gut feel that batteries, even golf cart are not going to safely run these units. The units are a few years old and I am sure new ones are more efficient but new are not in the budget. It is good to know there are now restrictions on generator use as we have experienced the noise and fumes in our tent trailer days. However, I do need to pursue that option. Seems like a small 1200 amp unit would run the CPAPs and be the quietest, but I need to understand the noise issue better. The CPAPs would be more important than the A/C or microwave. We are planning a few long trips and I am sure we will run into sites and locations without power where we need another source. I expect our usual stopping places will be camp grounds with power available. I will look further at generators and that will probably generate more questions but for now I will accept the single 12 volt battery the dealer provides. Cheers

Tars Tarkas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1454	Posted: 14 Oct 2017 at 11:05am
	A generator can be a great addition, but the main thing about generators and camping is that, maybe depending on what kind of camping you do, a whole lot of campgrounds have quiet hours when running a generator is prohibited. Some have generator hours that are even more restrictive. If you go with a generator, consider getting one with at least 2400 watts. That should run your air conditioner OR the microwave (not both at the same time.) TT
	2010 176 FJ Cruiser

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2706	Posted: 14 Oct 2017 at 10:30am
	Something is not right about your numbers. 13 amps @ 12 volts is 156 watts. Is that a maximum or surge value? It also sounds like a humongous load. I'm inclined to go with your second figure, which is 70 watts (which would be 5.8 amps at 12 volts). Then simplify your calculations by using watts for everything. 70 watts * 2 * 8 hours = 1120 watt-hours. The battery you mentioned (group 27, 92 AH (is it 12 volts?)) will provide 1104 watt-hours to complete discharge. You can't use that value, as discharge below 50%. It's only going to provide ~~ 550 watt-hours before it will start to be damaged. So you're going to need more than twice that power, and that is only going to accommodate the CPAP, and nothing else. I'm thinking there must be more efficient CPAP machines. That power consumption seems excessive.
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

NAP1947 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 14 Aug 2017 Location: Ottawa, Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 72	Posted: 14 Oct 2017 at 10:19am
	we hope to close on an RP179 this week. We both use CPAP units that draw 13A at 12 volts, the quoted Power Consumption is 70W typical. I figure this to be 13A times a typical 8 hour night is 104 Ah, therefore 208 for the 2 units. The battery that is provided is a Group 27 providing 92 amp hours with 195 minutes reserve. Assuming I understand what I have read this battery, even 2 will not run the CPAPs. 2-6 volt golf cart batteries appear to be able to do the job but at a cost of almost 800 CDN (including a battery box) plus putting my tongue weight up to about 350 lbs, even using a WDH this causes me concern. Seems I would be better to invest in the quietest 2000 watt inverter generator I can find rather than spend the $$ on the batteries plus I get the benefit of running other electrics (although not the a/c). I would really appreciate some expert advice from knowledgeable folks who are using CPAP units, especially in dry camp situations, before we close our deal. Thanks, Norm Hope I put this in the right place.