Using a cpap machine on boat

[robert sailor]

You are right, the CPAP uses about the same as the reefer! That is as long as you have a good efficient reefer.

[rockDAWG]

I have a CPAP machine without the heating unit, it uses very little electricity that I can tell or no more that a Hella Cabin fan. If your house bank is healthy, I don't worry about that much of the draw from a CPAP machine.

[sapient sue]

Originally Posted by GILow

Sue, that seems really rather a high figure. Most 12v units use less than half that unless they are set to a very high pressure. Any chance you are using an inverter to power a transformer that subsequently puts out 12v?

Also, most machines draw a significantly higher power initially to start the fan motor (up to 100 watts) before settling to less than 20 watts for the remainder of the evening, unless, as mentioned, a humidifier is in use.

For those that need to know it is possible to run these devices from something as small as a motorbike battery if you buy the correct machine.

Matt

Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

Matt thanks for the heads up. The Cpap machine I am using is on a month trial so have not purchased the 12v kit to go with it as yet - will look into that when I get my own unit.

Sue

[a64pilot]

Sue,
Since you are new to it, check out this site, there is a lot to learn especially as you may be able to pick different equipment etc
http://www.cpaptalk.com/CPAP-Sleep-A...40d1453718ef6f

[a64pilot]

Have you begun to dream again yet?

[kbarrow]

I have a Respironics CPAP with one battery that last about 8hrs when camping. When on the boat I just plug into the accessory cigarette outlet. My two house batteries have never been close to being drained and usually charge during the day by a 30w solar panel.

[belizesailor]

Had a charter guest aboard w a 120V cpap machine a few years ago. Don't recall make/model but it ran fine over night on the inverter.

[donradcliffe]

The admiral has used a Resmed Cpap for years by plugging it into a cheap 150W inverter and then into a 12 cigarette lighterplug. Without the humidifier, the unit is rated at 20 watts, and I read less than 2 amps at 12v when it is on.

While camping, we use a group 24 AGM, and it lasts 3-4 days without recharging.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by kbarrow

I have a Respironics CPAP with one battery that last about 8hrs when camping. When on the boat I just plug into the accessory cigarette outlet. My two house batteries have never been close to being drained and usually charge during the day by a 30w solar panel.

Yep, that's the puppy! Can't recommend it enough.

Matt

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Silverbeard

Thanks everyone for your input. It's been helpful and given me a basic idea of what to expect. I have two batteries in the house bank that are 650 CCA each. I think that should be enough power.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

Sorry to be pedantic, but having 650 Continuous Cranking Amps is bound to be adequate, heck, it's probably enough power to explode your head, but that's not the measure that really matters. It's Amp Hours that count for this sort of thing, ie, the useable capacity of the battery bank. That being said, a 650CCA 12V battery is probably at least 80 Amp Hours at 20C, so you'll probably be fine.

Matt

[GILow]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Have you begun to dream again yet?

Actually, that's a really good question you ask there. I discussed this with my mate who sells these things for a living and it is an interesting indicator. Not definitive, and open to interpretation, but either way dreams or absence of are significant indicators of sleep quality and part of the questionaire he uses to assess peoples sleep quality before the more serious sleep study stuff. (Which, he points out, is often not required for a good diagnosis. Most of the top end CPAP machines make very good analysis devices in themselves.)

Matt

[IdoraKeeper]

For the OP, as you can see there is no problem using a Cpap on the boat. It can be done easily in a number of ways. It beats the heck out of snoring and apnea and all evil things that go with it. Just use the method that suits your circumstances. Now, hooking up that deep fat fryer.....that takes skill and determination.

[GILow]

And choosing the right anchor...

[pattig12]

We both use CPAP on the boat (Phillips Respironics Remstar) and skip the humidifier. Has not been a problem for our 2 house batteries to keep up. We used the inverter at first, but now rigged a cable with splitter and plug into the 12v outlet directly. It seemed wasteful to convert 12V with inverter just to convert back to 12V again at the machine. Sometimes I shut off the fridge at night - we are on Lake Superior, so it's usually cold anyway. Our anchor light is LED, and there is not a lot else to use current at night, and we're pretty conservative in general. The draw will be higher if you have a higher setting on the CPAP. We are thinking of trying the travel CPAPs with battery as used in camping; maybe the HDM Z1 which has a heat moisture exchanger to insert in the tubing and does not need power like the humidifier. I'd be interested to hear if anyone has tried that set up. Anyway, 2 CPAPs has not been a problem at anchor.

[sapient sue]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Have you begun to dream again yet?

Interesting question. I had lots of dreams, in vivid colour, that I could remember before starting my trial Cpap machine. Since using the Cpap I cannot remember a single dream. So more restful nights ....?

with Cpap - Sue