Anyone use their CPAP on the trail?

  • HTML tutorial

Sid

Rank IV

Enthusiast III

1,003
Wardensville, West Virginia, United States
First Name
Sid
Last Name
Belcher
Member #

14567

Hey guys, just curious who else uses their CPAP machine while overlanding and how you have it setup. I was thinking about an inverter to my Jeep battery (single system) but I obviously don't want to drain my battery. Another thought was a Honda suitcase, but honestly, not my favorite idea. How do you power yours?
 

Basha813

Rank III
Launch Member

Contributor III

797
Lakeland, FL 33809
First Name
Ed
Last Name
Darnell
Member #

6015

Hey guys, just curious who else uses their CPAP machine while overlanding and how you have it setup. I was thinking about an inverter to my Jeep battery (single system) but I obviously don't want to drain my battery. Another thought was a Honda suitcase, but honestly, not my favorite idea. How do you power yours?
Good Morning. While I use an offroad teardrop, it has a deep cell battery and 1500 watt inverter. I've gone 3 days with my CPAP and I have severe sleep apnea. I also have a 100w solar panel to recharge during the day.
 
  • Like
Reactions: T.Shack and Sid

old_man

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

2,827
Loveland, Colorado
First Name
Tom
Last Name
Houston
Member #

8300

Ham/GMRS Callsign
WØNUT Extra
I run a cpap as well. Mine will run off of 12v (without the humidifier). Back in the day I would run a line from my Jeep battery to my tent, but with the teardrop, I actually dedicated one to the trailer and it is wired directly into the 12v deep cycle. Running from 12v is a lot more efficient than 120v. I have never even come close to running down my battery.

I camp a lot at 10k+ altitude and it really helps waking up refreshed.

A note: Where I live there is a non-profit that specializes in reselling cleaned/refurbished used medical equipment. I pick up an almost brand new cpap for less than $50. I actually have 3. One for home, one for my trailer and one for my apartment in DC where I work on contract for months on end. That way I don't have to lug one through baggage check.


OH, I forgot #4. I run one with about a 30 ft hose that feeds clean air in my welding helmet. It keeps me from sweating so much and fogging up the glass as well as sucking up those fumes. I also run it into a sandblasting helmet from time to time. I have seriously thought about modifying one of my paint respirators for painting cars.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: T.Shack and Sid

Megadoomer

Rank V
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

2,268
N32°55'31.94",W117°05'20.21"
First Name
Nick
Last Name
Rossi
Member #

10891

  • Like
Reactions: Sid

Sid

Rank IV

Enthusiast III

1,003
Wardensville, West Virginia, United States
First Name
Sid
Last Name
Belcher
Member #

14567

I run a cpap as well. Mine will run off of 12v (without the humidifier). Back in the day I would run a line from my Jeep battery to my tent, but with the teardrop, I actually dedicated one to the trailer and it is wired directly into the 12v deep cycle. Running from 12v is a lot more efficient than 120v. I have never even come close to running down my battery.

I camp a lot at 10k+ altitude and it really helps waking up refreshed.

A note: Where I live there is a non-profit that specializes in reselling cleaned/refurbished used medical equipment. I pick up an almost brand new cpap for less than $50. I actually have 3. One for home, one for my trailer and one for my apartment in DC where I work on contract for months on end. That way I don't have to lug one through baggage check.


OH, I forgot #4. I run one with about a 30 ft hose that feeds clean air in my welding helmet. It keeps me from sweating so much and fogging up the glass as well as sucking up those fumes. I also run it into a sandblasting helmet from time to time. I have seriously thought about modifying one of my paint respirators for painting cars.

Awesome! Some good ideas here. I'll give it a go and see if it runs down my battery thru and inverter then. I'll just bring a battery booster just in case lol.
 

Sid

Rank IV

Enthusiast III

1,003
Wardensville, West Virginia, United States
First Name
Sid
Last Name
Belcher
Member #

14567

Rick Schlepphorst

Rank V
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

1,864
Roanoke, Texas, USA
First Name
Rick
Last Name
Schlepphorst
Member #

10596

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KI5GMW
I took the humidifier off my CPAP and got a lightly used Goal Zero Yeti 150 off of Ebay. I also picked up a cable to run the CPAP off the 12 volt plug on the GZ and don't use the AC adapter. If I unplug the CPAP during the day so it doesn't pull ANY juice out of the Yeti150 I can get 3 or 4 solid nights out of it depending on temps. I just got a 50W solar panel to charge it during the day, so I could probably stay out until my food runs out now! :tonguewink: There are a few Youtube vids showing the setup.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Seth Vernon

Tallen79

Rank IV
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

1,146
Jamestown, Fentress County, Tennessee, United States
First Name
Travis
Last Name
Erskine
Member #

14283

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KE8KTR
Hey guys, just curious who else uses their CPAP machine while overlanding and how you have it setup. I was thinking about an inverter to my Jeep battery (single system) but I obviously don't want to drain my battery. Another thought was a Honda suitcase, but honestly, not my favorite idea. How do you power yours?
Check out my post where I show my build of a power supply. Search for DIY 12V Power Supply with schematic.