A new adventure in life for me...

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Dee,

I have been dealing with this issue for more than ten years, both on a
cruising sailboat (where amps were very precious) and my motor home.

The solution to your question is to install a dc outlet (cigarette
lighter outlet) next to your bed and get a small inverter to plug into
it. Plug your CPAP machine into the inverter and you are good to go.

The problem with running the CPAP machine off the main coach inverter is
that the inverter power overhead (wasted power) to too much.

As an aside to this discussion, for maximum efficiency, it is best to
only discharge your battery to the half way point, and then charge it to
the 80% level. If you do the math, you will see that you have a lot less
Amp Hours available to use than you would think by looking at the
battery capacity. The reason why I say to charge to only the 80% level
(when you are dry camping - unless you are running the generator for
reasons other than charging the battery) is that around the 80% point
the battery is not able to accept enough charge to make it worthwhile
running your generator.

Back to the CPAP issue, I found I like the nose pillows better than the
mask.

Jeff Huntington '97 Dynasty 40

>
> I've been diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea so tonite will start a

new lifestyle for me. I am REALLY looking forward to feeling better and
having energy for more than just getting thru the day.

>
> I imagine there are some others on the list that deal with this issue

on a daily basis so I was wondering if someone could answer a question
for me. If you either elect to dry camp or happen to lose power while
staying at a campground, what do you use as a backup power source for
the machine?

>
> My initial thought was that we'd put the refrig on propane and turn on

the inverter, but I'm not sure how many hours of use I'd get that way.

>
> Thanks for any help/advice that y'all can provide to a sleep apnea

newbie. Please feel free to contact me by private email if you'd prefer
to take this subject off list rver32940@....

>
> Dee in FL
>

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Dee,

The norm would be to operate the machine on the inverter. You should
have plenty of power to run the machine over night if you loose
power. However, there is a caveat and that is some machines will not
run on inverter power. Some can run on 23vdc directly when 120vac
is not available (other than the inverter). My CPAP machine will run
on 12vdc but not on the inverter. The vaporizer will not run on 12v
so it has to be off for that contingency.

Bill D.


At 12:50 PM 3/18/2013, you wrote:

>I've been diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea so tonite will start a
>new lifestyle for me. I am REALLY looking forward to feeling better
>and having energy for more than just getting thru the day.
>
>I imagine there are some others on the list that deal with this
>issue on a daily basis so I was wondering if someone could answer a
>question for me. If you either elect to dry camp or happen to lose
>power while staying at a campground, what do you use as a backup
>power source for the machine?
>
>My initial thought was that we'd put the refrig on propane and turn
>on the inverter, but I'm not sure how many hours of use I'd get that way.
>
>Thanks for any help/advice that y'all can provide to a sleep apnea
>newbie. Please feel free to contact me by private email if you'd
>prefer to take this subject off list <rver32940@...>.
>
>Dee in FL
>
>
>
>------------------------------------
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

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Dee,
I'm kinda like Mel. I use my CPAP on 12V but don't use the humidifier when
I'm dry camping. I have apnea so bad that I don't sleep without it but the
12V machine I have is great.

Edd Alexander '08 Holiday Rambler


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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Jeff
I agree that the main coach inverter wastes power.
I seldom turn my 2000 watt inverter on when dry camping because of the battery it wastes.

I believe that the most efficient CPAP machine for use while dry camping is a 12VDC machine, (not a 120VAC model running on a small inverter).
I run my CPAP machine can/does run directly off of the house batteries.

I do use your "small inverter" idea if/when I use my DirecTV receiver, (the TV itself is 12VDC, therfore OTA reception requires no inverter use).

BTW, for a "mouth a breather" a nose pillow is useless, (I have to use a mask).

Mel S

--- In Monacoers@yahoogroups.com, "arveeguy" wrote:
>
> Dee,
> I have been dealing with this issue for more than ten years, both on a cruising sailboat (where amps were very precious) and my motor home.
>
> The solution to your question is to install a dc outlet (cigarette
> lighter outlet) next to your bed and get a small inverter to plug into it. Plug your CPAP machine into the inverter and you are good to go.
>
> The problem with running the CPAP machine off the main coach inverter is that the inverter power overhead (wasted power) to too much.
>
> Back to the CPAP issue, I found I like the nose pillows better than the mask.
>
> Jeff Huntington '97 Dynasty 40

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Oh my goodness! What a lot of great input that y'all are providing! My head is spinning trying to absorb and understand it all. I'm going to have Earl read everything. I'm sure that he'll be able to better understand all of the technical electrical stuff.

I told the respiratory therapist at the DME office that I needed a machine that could operate on battery power. She said that this one will do that. It's a Phillips-Respironics System One RemStar Auto A-Flex Mdl# DS560S with a System One Heated Humidifier. I need a full face mask and the one that worked great during the titration study was the Quattro FX for Her.

So I guess that I should get off of the computer and go start the first night of the rest of my life. ;->

Dee

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That is my primary machine and humidifier, which works very well on a 12V power point. I run the humidifier on setting 2 every night off 12V and have never had a problem. There is no way I would purchase a small inverter, when a simple 12V power point does the job. Also, that unit will run very well on a MSW inverter, as our RV has the magnum ME2500RV which I have used the CPAP on, before I installed the 12V power point from bedside, directly to the battery bank.
Bob L.

--- In Monacoers@yahoogroups.com, "Dee" wrote:
>
>
>
> Oh my goodness! What a lot of great input that y'all are providing! My head is spinning trying to absorb and understand it all. I'm going to have Earl read everything. I'm sure that he'll be able to better understand all of the technical electrical stuff.
>
> I told the respiratory therapist at the DME office that I needed a machine that could operate on battery power. She said that this one will do that. It's a Phillips-Respironics System One RemStar Auto A-Flex Mdl# DS560S with a System One Heated Humidifier. I need a full face mask and the one that worked great during the titration study was the Quattro FX for Her.
>
> So I guess that I should get off of the computer and go start the first night of the rest of my life. ;->
>
> Dee
>

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Dee,

I looked up this model, and it appears to be a fancier model than I have
(mine is over 7 years old). This model does have as an option a 12 volt
DC cord/adapter. Part Number 109758. Sells for around $30. I strongly
recommend you get the "official manufacturers" adapter.

The only thing I did notice is that this model has the option of either
a DS560HS Heated Humidifier or the DS560TS Heated Humidifier and Heated
Tubing. While the heated tubing would be nice, it will add to the
battery load if it can't be turned off. I often turn off my heated
humidifier (same manufacturer, just older model) when I feel I don't
need it and am on battery, or in a humid place. But if I seem to be
dry, I do run the humidifier at a lower level, even on battery. Like
Jeff, I use the nose mask for less bulk, but have learned a long time
ago to selective breath through my nose OR mouth (scuba diving) so that
is not a problem. If the full face mask works best for you, that is
great. I only took me a few nights to feel the results of a good nights
sleep.
-Rick N.

On 3/18/2013 9:41 PM, Dee wrote:
>
>
>
> Oh my goodness! What a lot of great input that y'all are providing! My
> head is spinning trying to absorb and understand it all. I'm going to
> have Earl read everything. I'm sure that he'll be able to better
> understand all of the technical electrical stuff.
>
> I told the respiratory therapist at the DME office that I needed a
> machine that could operate on battery power. She said that this one
> will do that. It's a Phillips-Respironics System One RemStar Auto
> A-Flex Mdl# DS560S with a System One Heated Humidifier. I need a full
> face mask and the one that worked great during the titration study was
> the Quattro FX for Her.
>
> So I guess that I should get off of the computer and go start the
> first night of the rest of my life. ;->
>
> Dee
>
>



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Thanks to everyone for helping me kick my brain into gear. My first CPAP
machine, which I got nearly 15 years ago ran on AC only. Because I was
living on my boat at the time, I started using the small inverter as a
"clever" way of using my machine and conserving amps.

My "new" machine, which I got about six years ago, runs on 12 vdc. But,
out of force of habit, I never really thought about it - duh. So I have
been making AC with my small inverter only to convert it back to 12vdc
using the power cord that came with the unit.

Thanks to his discussion, I will very soon get a dc power cord - and
save even more amps.


Jeff Huntington '97 Dynasty 40

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Jeff, the AC � DC battle began with Edison and Tesla. Thomas Edison wanted
DC to be the standard while Nikola Tesla, a former Edison employee, was
pushing AC. Bottom line was that it is easier to produce AC and it is more
efficient to raise the voltage on AC and transmit it over long distances.
Edison had to fold and lost his company, now called GE. Nikola Tesla teamed
up with Westinghouse.



AC was/is great for power hungry components like large appliances. With the
miniaturization of most things we call electronics nowadays, DC is the
norm. Many TVs now have the AC to DC converter built into the power cord or
in the set itself. Your CPAP is like that.



Ironically, the new Tesla Motor Company has produced an award winning all
electric car, the �Tesla Model S� and it is powered by DC motors. Nikola is
rolling over in his grave�



Les Stallings



*From:* Monacoers@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Monacoers@yahoogroups.com] *On
Behalf Of *arveeguy
*Sent:* Tuesday, March 19, 2013 11:14 AM
*To:* Monacoers@yahoogroups.com
*Subject:* [Monacoers] Re: A new adventure in life for me...

Thanks to everyone for helping me kick my brain into gear. My first CPAP
machine, which I got nearly 15 years ago ran on AC only. Because I was
living on my boat at the time, I started using the small inverter as a
"clever" way of using my machine and conserving amps.

My "new" machine, which I got about six years ago, runs on 12 vdc. But,
out of force of habit, I never really thought about it - duh. So I have
been making AC with my small inverter only to convert it back to 12vdc
using the power cord that came with the unit.

Thanks to his discussion, I will very soon get a dc power cord - and
save even more amps.

Jeff Huntington '97 Dynasty 40


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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Has anyone here added a heater to the wet bay on their coach? Mine
didn't come with one. I think I've read that they consisted of a snap
disc as a thermostat to control when they went on and off. I've also
read about heat strips/pads applied directly to the tanks (not sure if
just the fresh water tank or the holding tanks too). I think there is
also some sort of electric fan assisted heater to keep the plumbing from
freezing in the bay.

I'm not sure it's cost efficient to try to duplicate exactly what Monaco
installed, but I do need something. I had success with installing a
small 110VAC space heater in the bay this past fall, when temps got down
to below freezing at night. I think I could maintain the bay area above
35 degrees even in sub zero temps with that little heater. I'm not sure
that maintaining the bay are temp would ensure the holding tanks won't
freeze, nor the water heater tank if not on. But I'm can't (won't) run
that while driving. Last January, I left home with a winterized coach
and didn't unwinterize (or is it dewinterize?) until 2 days later, in
Phoenix, because I was concerned about freezing while driving. I don't
(haven't needed to) run the furnace while driving. Especially if it's
warm when I depart, and there is any sun out, the dash heat and solar
gain are sufficient to keep me warm while driving. But, the wet bay get
cold - below freezing while driving since there is no supplemental heat.

I checked the Parts List, and it shows the snap disk, and two Bay
Heaters, the original Monaco 3000RV Cargo Bay Heater (which I've read is
now out of business) and a Family Safety Products link to a Back Seat
Heater Plus 12 Volt. I can find that heater. But I find no mention of
the heat pads/strips that apply directly to the tank. I know there are
generic heat strips, but I don't know how hot they get. I don't want to
melt my tanks! Also, I'm not sure of their availability in 12 VDC.

Any recommendations or guidance from the group would be wonderful.

Along these lines, does anyone know if there is a vent for the furnace
(no AquaHot) into the bay for when parked and furnace is running? I
know I can use a 110 VAC space heater there, but wondered if Monaco made
any provisions for heating the bay other than relying on the 12 Volt
heater and pads?

Thanks,
-Rick N.
1997 32-ft Dynasty, 325 Cummins