CPAP use in Travato

[knmtravel]

We've just purchased our first van, a Winnebago Travato 59G, and now that we've gotten a look at the manual, I'm wondering how I will power my CPAP machine at night. I had noticed the 110 outlet above the bed and thought that was perfect, but the manual claims the 110 only works when connected to shore power. Mark suggested we buy a DC plug for my machine but it looks like the only DC outlet is in the cab and is disabled when the coach is off. Is there a workaround for this or am I best off purchasing a dedicated external CPAP battery?

-Kate

(I wasn't sure where to post this question, so please move to appropriate thread, if necessary!

[BBQ]

.

Please look at the label on the machine...
what is the power draw?
It will say 120v and so many watts.

Once you have determined the power consumption,
you can figure out if the house battery has enough power
to keep you going all night.

BTW the Travato has 2x 105AH AGM batteries.

[BBQ]

.

ps. you are not the first one who thought the AC outlet is available at any time.

[knmtravel]

Ok, my general ignorance is about to be on full display but here goes. How do I use the house batteries to power my machine if the outlet is disabled? I have a Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset with heated humidifier and heated Climateline hose and the label says DC24V/ 3.75 A - don't know if that is with or without the heated hose. Elsewhere online I've found an estimate of 130 watt hours for overnight use for this model without using the heated hose.

[BBQ]

Originally Posted by knmtravel

Ok, my general ignorance is about to be on full display but here goes. How do I use the house batteries to power my machine if the outlet is disabled? I have a Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset with heated humidifier and heated Climateline hose and the label says DC24V/ 3.75 A - don't know if that is with or without the heated hose. Elsewhere online I've found an estimate of 130 watt hours for overnight use for this model without using the heated hose.

Your machine is 24v DC, not AC.

The machine must have a power supply that goes with it.
(usually it is a little 3"x4" box that attaches to the wall plug)
Please check the label on that power supply.

It would be best if you can post pictures of the machine and the label.

[Edit] never mind, I can look up Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset.

[BBQ]

.

You can get inverters like these,
they plug into your cigarette lighter
(or hard wire into the battery),
and converts the house battery's 12v DC power to 120v AC power.

Power Inverter, RV Power Inverters | Recreational Vehicles | Xantrex

https://www.amazon.ca/b?node=3381342011


Note: the house battery has limited power;
depending on the equipment's energy requirement,
you can only use it for a certain number of hours (or minutes).

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by BBQ

.

You can get inverters like these,
they plug into your cigarette lighter
(or hard wire into the battery),
and converts the house battery's 12v DC power to 120v AC power.

Power Inverter, RV Power Inverters | Recreational Vehicles | Xantrex

https://www.amazon.ca/b?node=3381342011


Note: the house battery has limited power;
depending on the equipment's energy requirement,
you can only use it for a certain number of hours (or minutes).

I think most of those cigarette lighter inverters are modified square wave. This wave form isn't compatible with some types of equipment and can even damage it. The OP should check with the CPAP provider to determine if it is compatible with an AC square wave.

[mkguitar]

so converting 12 vDC to 120 VAC to 24 VDC requires alot of energy waste in the conversions.

what I would do is dedicate 2x 12 volt batteries to the cpap.

these could each charge as regular 12 volt batteries, and then be used in series for 24 volt power to the cpap. this would require wiring in switches for "charge mode" and cpap mode.

I think your machine uses 90 watts ( and much less with out heat if not needed)- a battery set up like this should get about 15~18 hours depending on which you choose
motorcycle batteries, smaller- many have a 30 aH rating- yuasa gyz32HL is pretty robust- should give 10 or 12 hours


unless you happen to have a vehicle which is 24 volt native- which is even easier



I see people on airplanes with cpaps- perhaps a unit which is 12 volt native would be a good choice- price it out

mike

[BBQ]

Originally Posted by mkguitar

so converting 12 vDC to 120 VAC to 24 VDC requires alot of energy waste in the conversions.

::

That's my thought as well.


@knmtravel we have a lot of experts in the forum. I am sure they can come up with something for you.

[BBQ]

.

Here's the spec for the machine.

AC Input Range - 90W Power Supply: 100 - 240V, 50 - 60Hz, 1.0 - 1.5A, Class II
DC Output - 90 W Power Supply: 24V --- 3.75A

Typical Power Consumption: 53W (57VA)
Peak Power Consumption: 104W (108VA)


AirSense™ 10 AutoSet CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier | CPAP.com

[avanti]

A 12V to 24V DC-DC converter is easy enough. Many are available. I see no reason for a dedicated battery. I would first check with the manufacturer to see if they sell a 12V adaptor designed for use with the product. If not, eBay or Amazon will quickly produce results.

Random example:

12VDC to 24VDC.jpg

I have converted EVERYTHING in our van (except high current items like the microwave or the Keurig) to native DC, often using DC-DC converters. It is great and minimizes use of the inverter.

[knmtravel]

Yes, there is a 12V adapter available for my machine so no reason to bother with an inverter. I think Mark's plan is to install a 12VDC socket at the rear and upgrade the house batteries to LifePO4.

[knmtravel]

Originally Posted by avanti

A 12V to 24V DC-DC converter is easy enough. Many are available. I see no reason for a dedicated battery. I would first check with the manufacturer to see if they sell a 12V adaptor designed for use with the product. If not, eBay or Amazon will quickly produce results.

DC Converter 24V 90W For AirSense™ 10 and AirCurve™ 10 Machines | CPAP.com

I just need sufficient battery power.

[BBQ]

Originally Posted by knmtravel

Yes, there is a 12V adapter available for my machine so no reason to bother with an inverter. I think Mark's plan is to install a 12VDC socket at the rear and upgrade the house batteries to LifePO4.

A 12v adapter would be perfect.



Converting to LifePO4 can be either complicated, or easy, depending on how you configure it. Please start another thread when you are ready... again, we have lots of experts who are ready to jump in.

[knmtravel]

Originally Posted by BBQ

A 12v adapter would be perfect.



Converting to LifePO4 can be either complicated, or easy, depending on how you configure it. Please start another thread when you are ready... again, we have lots of experts who are ready to jump in.

Converting to LifePO4 is outside my pay grade, he can handle that thread. But I am still considering a dedicated battery. They're small, relatively cheap, and don't involve any modifications, and so it seems like the path of least resistance.

Freedom Travel Battery Pack for CPAP Machines | CPAP.com

[BBQ]

.

The Travato has 2x 105 AH AGM house batteries.
=210 AH total.

Your machine draws 3.75A per hour
Let's round it to 4A.

if you run the machine for 10 hours,
it would draw 40A from your battery. (4A times 10 hrs)

Your house battery has the capacity of 210 AH,
of which approx 50% is usable (this is a long story).
ie net useable power approx = 100 AH
Which is plenty for your CPAC machine's requirement.

However you will need to re-charge your battery every day,
either use the Onan generator,
or take the RV for a drive.

[knmtravel]

I'm confused by multiple people telling me different things about the machine's power draw. I'll attach the Kill-A-Watt to it tonight and check in tomorrow when I have meaningful numbers reflecting my usage. Thanks!

[BBQ]

Originally Posted by knmtravel

I'm confused by multiple people telling me different things about the machine's power draw. I'll attach the Kill-A-Watt to it tonight and check in tomorrow when I have meaningful numbers reflecting my usage. Thanks!

You have a Kill-A-Watt? That's great....

Did the other folks say you will use more power? or less?




@cruising7388 @mkguitar and @avanti

please double check the math for us.

[knmtravel]

He said it used 130 watt hours which I confused for 130 AH. I really find all the numbers confusing. So if the Travato batteries are 105AH and it uses 30-40, then it should be fine. Just have to install a socket. We're handy enough for that.

[gerrym51]

Originally Posted by BBQ

.

The Travato has 2x 105 AH AGM house batteries.
=210 AH total.

Your machine draws 3.75A per hour
Let's round it to 4A.

if you run the machine for 10 hours,
it would draw 40A from your battery. (4A times 10 hrs)

Your house battery has the capacity of 210 AH,
of which approx 50% is usable (this is a long story).
ie net useable power approx = 100 AH
Which is plenty for your CPAC machine's requirement.

However you will need to charge your battery every day,
either use the Onan generator,
or take the RV for a drive.

i thought only the K has 2-at least the original was like this