Battery recommendation?

tobindia · Post by **tobindia** » Mon Mar 18, 2024 6:03 pm

I am going to take an African safari, and the tour company advises using a battery with my bipap, as power at some of the safari camps is not reliable. I use a Resmed Air Curve 10. I can sleep without my bipap, though obviously not nearly as well.

I am definitely not fluent in electronics, and specs of most of the batteries seem to use different terms, so that I’m not sure that I’m comparing apples to apples. So, are there any recommendations out there? ResMed has a battery of their own, but they seem to give it a lukewarm recommendation. The do strongly advocate they own DC Converter, but I don’t even know that I need one. I know that I must have one that is TSA-approved, and obviously weight and runtime are important. Are there any other things to look for? Does anyone have any specific devices to recommend?

Thanks.

SleepGeek · Post by **SleepGeek** » Mon Mar 18, 2024 6:56 pm

tobindia wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 18, 2024 6:03 pm
I know that I must have one that is TSA-approved, and obviously weight and runtime are important.

I encourage you to speak directly with your airline and find out what restrictions they have.
Then spend some time searching and reading this forum for similar situations.

search.php?keywords=battery+backup&term ... mit=Search

vandownbytheriver · Post by **vandownbytheriver** » Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:42 pm

tobindia wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 18, 2024 6:03 pm
(snip)Does anyone have any specific devices to recommend?

Thanks.

Car batteries are available world-wide and are charged by the car they're in. They're cheap and easy to get charged. Resmed makes an inverter supply for their machines that takes 12v in and produces the required 24v out. This may be a viable option for you. The supply has a cigar lighter plug I believe... this could be cut and big clips soldered on.

galeforcewinds · Post by **galeforcewinds** » Tue Mar 19, 2024 1:39 pm

I'm going to assume, tobindia, that you don't want to attempt a homebrew solution and, like me, feel more comfortable with an off-the-shelf solution. It might help you narrow things down if you ask yourself these questions:

1) Do I want to plug my bipap into an AC outlet or a DC outlet on the battery? There are pros and cons to either. With the AC outlet, you don't have to buy and carry another power cord; you can just use the one that comes with your bipap. Plus it makes your battery a little more flexible if you want to use it for other purposes--for example, powering an LED lamp during a power outage at home. The disadvantage of the AC outlet is that it is less efficient and your battery run time will be noticeably reduced. If you want to squeeze the most out of your battery, your best bet is to go with a DC outlet, but then you will have to buy and carry a DC power cord for your bipap.

2) Do I want pass-through functionality? With pass-through functionality, your battery will pass AC wall power directly to your bipap machine and not use any battery power as long as power is up. If there is a power outage, the battery will immediately switch to powering your bipap from the battery. When power is restored, it will switch right back to using the AC wall power. The advantage of this, of course, is that you can sleep right through a power loss and recovery and not even know it happened. I sleep with this kind of setup at home (we are prone to power outages in the winter) and have slept through outages. So, on safari, you can set up your machine to be powered from the battery if need be before you go to sleep, secure that if the power goes off later that night, you won't be fussing around trying to set up your battery backup in the middle of the night. (This assumes you aren't using heated humidification--if you do, your battery might simply run out of power during the night.)

3) Do I want to be able to piggy-back batteries? Some batteries allow you to piggy-back two batteries so that when one is exhausted, the other takes over. I believe that TSA allows you to carry up to two batteries, as long as each battery doesn't exceed the maximum wattage allowed. This would be one way to get around the power limitation they place on batteries, but of course it comes with the significant downside of more $$ and more weight/space required in your luggage.

FWIW, I use an EX PRO battery. I've been happy with it so far. My battery is too large to take on a plane: I bought the large one because I wanted a battery that would last through the night even with heated humidification being used. However, they make a smaller one, the EXP48, that meets TSA requirements. They are pricey; I bought mine on sale and with a new customer discount of 25%. If you go with them, it might be worth shopping around for the best deal.

Because the battery has just DC ports, I had to buy a DC power cable for my ResMed Airsense 11 as well. Because I am a bit stingy, I took the risk of buying a much cheaper third-party one off of Amazon. So far, it has worked just fine.

SleepGeek · Post by **SleepGeek** » Tue Mar 19, 2024 7:15 pm

galeforcewinds wrote: ↑
Tue Mar 19, 2024 1:39 pm
2) Do I want pass-through functionality? With pass-through functionality, your battery will pass AC wall power directly to your bipap machine and not use any battery power as long as power is up. If there is a power outage, the battery will immediately switch to powering your bipap from the battery. When power is restored, it will switch right back to using the AC wall power.

Is there a name for this device you described? I've not heard of this before. Or are you trying to describe a UPS?

If so, a UPS is not very efficient and I doubt it would be useful in this situation.

galeforcewinds · Post by **galeforcewinds** » Tue Mar 19, 2024 9:40 pm

Is there a name for this device you described? I've not heard of this before. Or are you trying to describe a UPS?

It's not a device--it is a function of some backup batteries. It works similarly to UPS, but I think the switch over from wall power to battery power isn't fast enough for sensitive computer equipment so they can't advertise it as a UPS. However, the switch between wall power and battery power is fast enough for a CPAP machine. I've tested it a number of times, and you don't even see the CPAP blink for even a second. It works just fine, believe me.

SleepGeek · Post by **SleepGeek** » Wed Mar 20, 2024 6:52 am

galeforcewinds wrote: ↑
Tue Mar 19, 2024 9:40 pm
It's not a device--it is a function of some backup batteries

A link to this backup battery type would be helpful.

galeforcewinds · Post by **galeforcewinds** » Wed Mar 20, 2024 12:49 pm

A link to this backup battery type would be helpful.

Here's the battery I use:

https://exppropower.com/

The larger size (EXP96) lasts me through the night even with heat/humidity on. But YMMV, I use relatively low pressures (7-9), 76 degree heat, and auto humidity.

Here is a travel battery with only an AC output port that claims it is a UPS. Whether it is true UPS or just pass-through, I don't know:

https://www.cpapnation.com/products/the ... ap-battery

It wouldn't last through the night with heat/humidity on, and might not even last through a whole night if you use high pressures.

There are many other CPAP batteries that have pass-through or UPS functionality, although some might not use those terms and just describe the function, like this one here:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/medist ... e-battery

tobindia · Post by **tobindia** » Wed Mar 20, 2024 4:56 pm

galeforcewinds wrote: ↑
Tue Mar 19, 2024 1:39 pm
I'm going to assume, tobindia, that you don't want to attempt a homebrew solution and, like me, feel more comfortable with an off-the-shelf solution. It might help you narrow things down if you ask yourself these questions:

1) Do I want to plug my bipap into an AC outlet or a DC outlet on the battery? There are pros and cons to either. With the AC outlet, you don't have to buy and carry another power cord; you can just use the one that comes with your bipap. Plus it makes your battery a little more flexible if you want to use it for other purposes--for example, powering an LED lamp during a power outage at home. The disadvantage of the AC outlet is that it is less efficient and your battery run time will be noticeably reduced. If you want to squeeze the most out of your battery, your best bet is to go with a DC outlet, but then you will have to buy and carry a DC power cord for your bipap.

2) Do I want pass-through functionality? With pass-through functionality, your battery will pass AC wall power directly to your bipap machine and not use any battery power as long as power is up. If there is a power outage, the battery will immediately switch to powering your bipap from the battery. When power is restored, it will switch right back to using the AC wall power. The advantage of this, of course, is that you can sleep right through a power loss and recovery and not even know it happened. I sleep with this kind of setup at home (we are prone to power outages in the winter) and have slept through outages. So, on safari, you can set up your machine to be powered from the battery if need be before you go to sleep, secure that if the power goes off later that night, you won't be fussing around trying to set up your battery backup in the middle of the night. (This assumes you aren't using heated humidification--if you do, your battery might simply run out of power during the night.)

3) Do I want to be able to piggy-back batteries? Some batteries allow you to piggy-back two batteries so that when one is exhausted, the other takes over. I believe that TSA allows you to carry up to two batteries, as long as each battery doesn't exceed the maximum wattage allowed. This would be one way to get around the power limitation they place on batteries, but of course it comes with the significant downside of more $$ and more weight/space required in your luggage.

FWIW, I use an EX PRO battery. I've been happy with it so far. My battery is too large to take on a plane: I bought the large one because I wanted a battery that would last through the night even with heated humidification being used. However, they make a smaller one, the EXP48, that meets TSA requirements. They are pricey; I bought mine on sale and with a new customer discount of 25%. If you go with them, it might be worth shopping around for the best deal.

Because the battery has just DC ports, I had to buy a DC power cable for my ResMed Airsense 11 as well. Because I am a bit stingy, I took the risk of buying a much cheaper third-party one off of Amazon. So far, it has worked just fine.

1) We will be visiting S. Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe on our safari, and all 3 countries use AC, 220 volts. I assume that the camps will all generate AC/220 as well. Is that reasonable?
2) I definitely want pass-through functionality. Thanks for adding than to my “Minimum” list. Also, I didn’t realize that my humidifier was such a big power user. Hmm. I guess that I need to try sleeping without it.
3) My wife also uses a bipap. Should I consider piggybacking 2 batteries or keep them separate or use 1 bigger battery?

Thanks for the EX48 recommendation, galeforcewinds.

SleepGeek · Post by **SleepGeek** » Thu Mar 21, 2024 6:08 pm

Whatever you decide on you should try at home for several weeks before leaving to work out any problems.

tobindia wrote: ↑
Wed Mar 20, 2024 4:56 pm
I definitely want pass-through functionality.

iiwm I wouldn't trust pass-through any place that serves the power in spurts. But then I use DC power at home too.

Good Luck

robbob2112 · Post by **robbob2112** » Thu Mar 21, 2024 8:03 pm

Anytime you plug into ac you just need something to adapt the prongs to that outlet. It is a switching power supply so any ac power world wide will work. This includes any generator they have. If you get the battery adapter it will plug into any cigarette outlet be it in a vehicle or with the alligator clamps a car battery that is 12v will work.

Something like this is a must
https://www.amazon.com/Universal-TESSAN ... 0B2PD7VW4/

The portable units are great but expensive at times. If the safari has a 12v battery they charge from a solar panel that will work for you if you can connect to it.

Anytime you are running from battery you will have longer runtime if you turn off the heated hose and heated humidifier.

How much weight and size can you pack along? If you get a solar generator with folding solar panels you can both use one.
With my ASV I run from a home built version - you can not travel with it, but to give you an idea so you can read labels.

With just the asv on and no heated tube ot humidifier I use 150ish watt hours (Whr or Wh). If I use the heated tube and the heated humidifier I use 320Whr.

A watt hour is voltage times amps drawn. 12.8v is my battery voltage and without the heat a machine draws 1 to 3 amps. Mulitple 12.8 * .1.5 amp * 8 hours used = 204Wh. With the heated tubing and humidifier it can draw 3 to 8 amps.

Because the heaters cycle on and off depending on the air temp your usage will be less where the air is hot.

I very much recommend using whatever you buy at home first.

Something like this would do full use for 1 night for 1 person. If you skip the heat and just use the humidifier passive it would do you both 1 night. It would need 4 to 6 hours of full sun to recharge.
https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Generat ... 0CHFM3V8Q/

They say it can fly but I would check with the airline first. Or ship it and get it on the other end

galeforcewinds · Post by **galeforcewinds** » Thu Mar 21, 2024 9:31 pm

1) We will be visiting S. Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe on our safari, and all 3 countries use AC, 220 volts. I assume that the camps will all generate AC/220 as well. Is that reasonable?

I'd say that's reasonable. I would also assume that most batteries that advertise themselves as travel batteries support dual voltage for charging: that is, they'll take either 110 or 220 volts when you are recharging your battery. Best to double-check their specifications to be sure, though.

2) I definitely want pass-through functionality. Thanks for adding than to my “Minimum” list. Also, I didn’t realize that my humidifier was such a big power user. Hmm. I guess that I need to try sleeping without it.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, not all batteries will use the term "pass-through" even though they support the feature. They might also use "uninterruptible power supply" or they might simply describe the function. However, don't assume that a battery that calls itself a "backup battery" supports this feature. They should explicitly state support one way or the other.

Re: humidification. Even if you have turned off humidification, you can always put water in the humidity chamber and possibly get some humidification from the air simply passing over the water on the way out.

3) My wife also uses a bipap. Should I consider piggybacking 2 batteries or keep them separate or use 1 bigger battery?

You are limited by TSA regulations on how big a battery you can get. I believe 160 Watts is the max. (If you are going on internal flights in Africa, those airlines might have different requirements as well.) If you want to make sure you make it through the night, I'd get each of you one of the biggest batteries that is under that limitation and that has a DC port so you can run your bipap off the DC port. Unless you are going to get four batteries (two each for your wife and you), I don't see the point of the piggy-back function. (You can carry two batteries each on the plane.) You'll have to get DC cord for each of your bipaps.

As others have suggested, whatever you decide to do, you should make your purchases far enough in advance to test whether they will work for you.

Have a great safari! Sounds like fun.

alancalan · Post by **alancalan** » Sun Mar 24, 2024 10:53 pm

This may be apropos for BiPAP machine batteries. I have a tennis ball machine that works on a sealed 12 volt battery I assume it's DC it must be because you can't plug it in. There is one that you can but I don't have that one. Last season starting in December I had an Achilles tendon issue that turned out to be a lower calf issue but nevertheless I couldn't play tennis until it healed. And this season I had cervical spine surgery which sounds worse than it really was but I couldn't play tennis until right now and I'm an accountant so I can't play now anyway until tax season is over. But when I wasn't using the machine and charging it the battery is die. So for all these batteries that you buy what do you do to keep them charged without wearing them down so that when you need them they're ready?

Alan

alancalan · Post by **alancalan** » Sun Mar 24, 2024 10:54 pm

This may be apropos for BiPAP machine batteries. I have a tennis ball machine that works on a sealed 12 volt battery I assume it's DC it must be because you can't plug it in. There is one that you can but I don't have that one. Last season starting in December I had an Achilles tendon issue that turned out to be a lower calf issue but nevertheless I couldn't play tennis until it healed. And this season I had cervical spine surgery which sounds worse than it really was but I couldn't play tennis until right now and I'm an accountant so I can't play now anyway until tax season is over. But when I wasn't using the machine and charging it the battery is die. So for all these batteries that you buy what do you do to keep them charged without wearing them down so that when you need them they're ready?

Alan

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Additional Comments: also have mirage activa 2nasal masks but using the p10