I am thinking of camping in USFS campgrounds that have no electricity. I need a way to power my CPAP. Is there a small quiet generator I could run or a car battery system that would work? This stuff is not in my knowledge base so any support would be appreciated.

How long are you thinking of being away from electricity?

A friend bought a new cpap that is powered by lithium batteries instead of the lead acid one he previously used. He got it specifically for backpacking with the Scouts last summer and my understanding is that he got several days from the system before it wouldn't last the whole night. He also got a 100w foldable solar panel to try to recharge the batteries during the day, however we were under cover or it was raining on us for much of the time.

Grandma L, what brand and model of CPAP machine do you have? Do you have any sort of battery system for it now? I have a battery system that has two lithium batteries and they can be re-charged by plugging into a cigarette lighter or to a car battery. I can get 3 - 4 nights out of the 2 batteries if I put it in airplane mode, don't use a heated hose, don't use the humidifier, and crank the pressure down to the minimum acceptable level that works for me. I normally run mine at 14.6 at home but if I dial it down to 8.0 when camping I usually have a pretty good night. I go without in the BWCA however.

I use a boat or car battery and an inverter I got at Menards for around $30. The inverter has alligator clamps that go onto the battery and the CPAP plugs into the inverter. I get a few nights worth out of the battery when not using the humidifier. I bring a battery charger and charge battery where I can if it's more than a few days.
I don't think you can ever use a generator after 10:00pm in any of the campgrounds I have been in.

How bad is your apnea? I use the 2 mouth guards that pull your jaw forward and it works like a dream. I went this direction because of the number of nights I sleep without power...upwards of 60 per year.

not small or affordable, but..... Honda generators purr like a kitten. The ones I have seen will run even sophisticated electronics. would be very very very careful about running any sort of electronics off a run of the mill generator.

We have a 2000 i Honda for our generator but at nine hundred bucks its a bit pricey just for a CPAP!

I'd look for perhaps a wheelchair battery that will last for a few nights. I have a friend that canoe camps with one for three nights.

I have fairly severe sleep apnea. I have tried the mouth inserts without much success. The doc who made them for me said they work best for folks with mild apnea.

Resmed has come out with a new super small travel CPAP but they have not finished the battery pack for it as yet.
I just have to figure out a battery system. I would use it at USFS Campgrounds and occassionally in the BWCA. Even if I make a substantial investment - it is still cheaper than staying in good hotels for a week in G. M. or Ely.

Yeti Battery packs? Goal Zero?

What system do you use? - specifics would be helpful!

Thanks fior the advice - I went to a Medical Supply and they advised me to check a Z1-travel machine - know anything about these?

On a side note....did I ever tell you about the time I portaged a 70# Marine battery 10 miles into the Wilderness so my Dad's buddy could come with us with his CPAP? He even brought along a small solar panel so he could charge it during the day. He ran it for 6 nights without issue. It was one heck of a luxury item.

quote Hub: "On a side note....did I ever tell you about the time I portaged a 70# Marine battery 10 miles into the Wilderness so my Dad's buddy could come with us with his CPAP? He even brought along a small solar panel so he could charge it during the day. He ran it for 6 nights without issue. It was one heck of a luxury item."

Your dedication is admirable. For some of us it is not a luxury but a necessity. I am committed to figuring this out!

Grandma L: "
Your dedication is admirable. For some of us it is not a luxury but a necessity. I am committed to figuring this out! "

Hi Grandma L,
Did you ever figure this out? I recently purchased a transcend mini cpap, P8 (2 night) battery and solar charger as well as a mobile adapter for charging from my car...$1000.00 all together. If I fully charge the battery at home, it works great for 2 nights, but I can't get the battery to recharge. I used it on vacation last week at our family beach house, and no matter what I did, I could not get the battery to recharge.
I had transcend send me a new battery, and that didn't work, so I had them send me brand new everything, cpap, battery and solar charger. I've been charging with the solar charger the last 2 days, and I suspect it isn't charging at all.

I ended up purchasing the ResMed Mini. I like it a lot. I have 2 BPW batteries that will keep it going for 3+ nights. They can be charged via a 12 volt plug in a vehicle or a 120v outlet. All ResMed's are 24v so you always need some sort of adapter unless you get the one made specifically for ResMed devices. I haven't decided if I'm taking it to the BWCA next month. I really don't want to deal with it.

Funny you should ask - I too am testing my CPAP before my B'dud trip this coming weekend. I have a Transcend Auto Mini. Took a while to figure out all the cords and the plugs. Now I make sure I charge them at home to start a trip. I also put the battery in line when using it. Wall outlet, cord to, battery, cord to CPAP,-CPAP to me. I found the manual on line and have read and re-read it. I tend to forget the fine points between trips. Expensive but works well. My current dilemma is getting the pressure setting changed. I can't get the soft ware without being a clinic.