Use of Bed-Mounted Power Outlet

Jackery Works great for cpap OP IMO

 

FULL DISCLOSURE: I don't have an AGM battery. I do have OVtune.
I first learned of AGM batteries and some of their requirements in the OVtune threads. There is a lot of info here. Hopefully someone who has an AGM will chime in with more info.

 

Yeah I agree, it looks like an easy option except that it's about $500 for one that will operate a single cpap for 8hr. I need two so, $1000? Ouch! I found this one at 1100wh for $700 that run both units all night. Still ouch!

 

Yes for sure but worth it

 

Okay more reading, I think you're correct that AGM battery may be a bad choice. As a daily driver using an alternator, the life span of the battery will be severly compromised. Bad idea. Crap!

I'll either have to lug around an extra deep cycle battery and I'm not sure even that is enough power. Or, go with the $700 power supply. Nothing is easy is it?

 

I might add this. I have a Gooloo (Good product btw, and there's many different brands of these out there nowdays) ... your typical LI battery thing for jump starting, charging phones, or just for whatever you may need 12v for... Small and compact, fits in one of the door wells...
Anyway, it's saved my butt 2-3 times, where I drained the battery enough so the engine wouldn't crank over .. BUT... I tried it on a truck where the battery was flat out dead-dead and it was a no-go. The booster devices are good for only so much, so don't depend on it completely.

 

Use a kill-a-watt or something to measure actual draw on the machines at various settings. Heated tube and humidifier are the biggest energy consumers, and those can be turned down/off.

Assuming you can live without the heating elements I'd expect more like ~20w for both machines. Plenty of people use the 300wh jackery for multiple nights.

 

You make a good point and are correct of course and, if I were by myself I would likely do just that. Heating elements eat a lot of power and early cpap didn't even have these features. But, the Mrs. likes to be comfortable. So naturally, I want her to be comfortable if only for my own peace and quiet. So, I think it's more of a case of all or nothing.

 

Well thanks everyone!
I was hoping for a cheap and convenient option but as usual, the two are mutually exclusive.

Replacing/using the truck battery is a no go.
Lugging around a second car battery is stupid. Nope.
The 1100wh power supply for $700 will work. Don't trust a no-name Amazon product.
2 Jackery units is too pricey. Nope.

lostMarbles mentioned the EXP48 battery. I found these on cpap.com yesterday too, along with a lot of good information. But, I didn't want to spend $750 for two of them. The EXP96 runs 2 units for a night at $500 but takes 10-12 hr to charge.Yesterday, $380 each seemed too expensive but I think that's the reality of it.

I think I'm going to go with the EXP48. Just one at first and see how it works. And, it will recharge in only 4 hours so I could use it consecutively pretty easily. If it works well, I'll get one for the Mrs. and we'll be all set. Not sooooooo painful if buy them one at a time. And, I can charge them both in 4 hours.

 

That model I linked has a low wattage humidifier function as well, check to see if your insurance will cover it!

 

FYI - The exp48 is a 150 wh battery. Significantly lower than other options discussed.

Batteries are pretty straightforward - more capacity means more weight and longer charging times. No way around it.

 

Hmm yeah it is expensive, maybe it’s tax deductible since it’s for medical purposes?

 

Cutting out two inverters makes for more efficiency. If the machine can run on DC input, then using a Jackery will involve DC to AC to DC, each of those conversions eats power. I think the Jackery inverter is 85% efficient (which is likely a best case rating with less than ideal draw resulting in lower efficiency). I doubt the CPAP's inverter is any more efficient. So the Jackery involves a 30% power loss (possible closer to 50%) compared to DC to DC with something like an EXP48.

So, batteries are comparable, the delivery methods are not. And, of course I don't know what CPAP the OP has, to I must grant that some SWAG is involved.

 

My friend uses the Energizer eARC 3 to run his CPAP. Not sure if his unit is just a lot more efficient or what but that tiny little unit that cost him $299 CAD, so ~$250 USD, lasts all night and recharges off 12 volt within 3 hours.

I ended up picking up an eARC 3 to charge the kids iPads and our phones. Cheaper than a jackery but the same technology under the energizer brand.

 

For those in Southern California, So Cal Edison is offering $75 rebates for various batteries too.
https://marketplace.sce.com/portable-power-stations/

 

There should be no inverter involved in either case right? Direct DC power to the CPAP via the 12v cigarette lighter port on both devices.

 

Looks like you are correct. I had foolishly assumed it would be more complicated.

So, a $500 Jackery with 500 watt hrs could run both machines for a full night. Which is cheaper than 2 EXP48s (2x 150 watt hours=300 watt hrs). The Jackery takes 5.5 hours to recharge, though it would not be fully discharged after 1 night, so should be faster.

You win.

 

our devices are AC only. There is an $85 12v power adapter available but why would I use that? I believe then, that there is an inverter either way in my case?
One-to adapt the AC unit to a 12v source.
or
One-inside the Jackery to output AC power from it's battery.
?????

 

Would it be possible for you to share with us the manufacturer and model of the device your wife uses?

 

Jackery 500 should be sufficient. I would try to stay away from drawing from the truck battery unless its running. When you are not camping the jackery is a pretty solid generator in an emergency situation.