Best Way to Power a Bi-Pap Machine While Drycamping

[TRNewtown]

I've had my new to me 2018 Melbourne 24L for 25 days now and I have some questions related to electricity. Looking at the list of standard equipment from Jayco I see the following items:
-12V house battery with slideout battery tray
-12V demand water pump
-30-amp detachable electrical service cord
-60 amp 12V converter

1) I don't see an inverter listed under standard equipment or under options. Does my RV have an inverter?

2) I have a solar panel installed and there is a Coleman brand panel with a voltage screen. What does the number shown indicate (it currently reads 12.4)? Does the solar panel just charge the house battery?

3) What changes were likely made related to the installation of the solar panel?

4) Finally, what is the best way to power a Bi-Pap machine when not connected to power (without using the generator)?. Standalone battery for the machine / inverter / standalone small generator / ???

 

[edatlanta]

I can't answer many of your questions, but I use 12v from my battery(s), I have two Trojan T1-5's wired in series to operate my Dreamstation APAP when off the grid. I do use it with the heated hose and humidifier and the nightly usage hardly puts a dent in these two battery's charge. I do run my generator in the mornings long enough to catch the news on TV and perk a couple of cups of coffee. Other than that no issues with the APAP on battery. Works great.

 

[Stavman]

Get a power station

Should run it all night easy, then charge it the next day

 

[RogerR]

There are some models of Cpap or Bipap machines that can be run off cords directly from 12 volt sources. They have a built in converter that changes the voltage to whatever yours takes. If you can get one it will probably waste less amperage from your battery changing from 12 volts to 120 volts and back down to whatever yours requires.

Post your exact model Bipap to get the most accurate advice.

In my case not using the heated water source and heated air tube substantially reduced the power demand.
Here is a site that talks about battery/cpaps.



http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=9682

 

[pconroy]

1) I don't see an inverter listed under standard equipment or under options. Does my RV have an inverter?

Let's wait for a 2018 Melbourne owner to chime in. I'd **think** you would have one. But who knows? With the coach unplugged and with the generator NOT running, can you power on the TV?



If you can - then you've got an inverter.


Even if you do, know that the outlet (singular) or outlets (just a few) that are powered from the Inverter may not be in a convenient spot for the CPap machine.

2) I have a solar panel installed and there is a Coleman brand panel with a voltage screen. What does the number shown indicate (it currently reads 12.4)? Does the solar panel just charge the house battery?

I don't have that controller but it most likely means that the battery voltage is 12.4V. 12.4V is a battery that's just about full. I'm going to guess it was dark outside when you saw the 12.4V. If it wasn't dark, if the sun was shining brightly, then I think we need to read the manual.

3) What changes were likely made related to the installation of the solar panel?

I don't understand what you're asking.

4) Finally, what is the best way to power a Bi-Pap machine when not connected to power (without using the generator)?. Standalone battery for the machine / inverter / standalone small generator / ???

I think you'd want to look up the wattage on your machine and then consider something like: a portable power station. Jackery, GoPower, etc.

 

[TRNewtown]

Thanks pconroy! I looked at the Jackery portable power station and that may be a relatively low cost option for powering my Bi-Pap. Turning off heat/humidifier on the bi-pap will prolong power. Our travel pattern so far has been to stay at a campgrounds with full hookups for two nights and then spend a night without hookups (i.e. at a Harvest Host location). The power station could be charged when hooked up to electricity and would certainly last a day or two when electricity was not available.

We are currently at a campground near Bar Harbor Maine with full hookups. When we disconnect I will check to see if the tv powers on.

My question about solar was around the installation of the solar panels. I understand that the rv was prewired for solar. When solar panels are added are they simply plugged in (attached to the roof) and a display installed, or are there additional pieces of hardware (converters/inverters/black boxes) installed that I should know about?

Thanks again for your response.

 

[edatlanta]

There are some models of Cpap or Bipap machines that can be run off cords directly from 12 volt sources. They have a built in converter that changes the voltage to whatever yours takes. If you can get one it will probably waste less amperage from your battery changing from 12 volts to 120 volts and back down to whatever yours requires.

Post your exact model Bipap to get the most accurate advice.

In my case not using the heated water source and heated air tube substantially reduced the power demand.
Here is a site that talks about battery/cpaps.



http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=9682

I have a 12v cord for my Respironics Dreamstation APAP.