It’s a common misconception that if you have Sleep Apnea or sleep with a Cpap machine, that you can’t go camping. But this is completely false, with battery packs Cpap machines while camping are totally possible. Preparation is key and here are some battery packs that are worthy and some camping with cpap machine tips.
Cpaps use a lot of energy, especially if you use the humidifier. Living in a dry climate, a humidifier is almost essential. So power consumption is going to be high. This is why you may have seen Cpaps connected up to deep cycle marine batteries and even car batteries before. While these types of batteries do have capable hook ups, where they lack is in the ongoing sustainability. Which if you camp or hike for many days, a sustainable battery source is essential if you sleep with a Cpap machine.
A Sustainable Battery Pack For Cpap Machine While Camping
Introducing the Goal Zero portable power supply units for Cpaps. What’s unique about the Goal Zero and the reason why they do cost a little more than other marine and car batteries is that they can provide sustainable energy to your Cpap device among other things. But I’m not just talking about plugging the Cpap in and life is all good. Solar power comes into play and is a very important role in using a Cpap machine while camping for extended periods.
These Goal Zero Yeti battery packs come in different sizes. Smaller through to larger sizes. Yeti 1250 being the largest and most expensive. The larger sizes have more power storage over the smaller Yeti 150 Goal Zero. So determining how many nights you think you will camp for will determine what size Goal Zero you need. Also whether or not you need to use the humidifier. Because the humidifier will drain the battery much quicker.
For example, the Yeti 150 (smaller generator) without the use of the humidifier may have enough charge to last 3 to 4 nights before needing to be recharged again. Depending on the level of humidity on the Cpap machine, 1 to 2 nights will be about average for the Yeti 150 model. But if you were planning a much longer camping trip, a bigger model like the Yeti 400 would be a better fit. The Yeti 400 is a good size for most campers and it is in the mid range affordability scale compared to the much larger 1250 model which is a little overkill in my opinion.
A neat trick to conserving battery power when using these Goal Zero batteries is to hook up a DC inverter (car charger) kit from your Cpap manufacturer. This will restrict how much energy the Cpap machine is chewing through. So a smaller device like the Yeti 150 suddenly can provide a power source for much longer. So you may save a few bucks by not needing such a large battery source doing it this way. Plus you can also use other 12v accessories like a car air mattress pump with the Goal Zero.
Lightweight Cpap Battery Packs For Hiking Lightweight Camping
Hiking or lightweight camping with a Cpap machine is not the easiest as these items are rather bulky. However, the Sherpa 100 battery pack is close to the best I could find in regards to a full nights charge and being small in size. This device can provide enough power for one night to the Cpap machine, but you will have to check power consumption for your machine and may need to do a little research.
But whats cool about the Sherpa 100 is that it has an inlet for a 12v device, but it does require an adapter. The DC inverter I mentioned earlier for your Cpap machine can then plug into the 12v outlet running from the Sherpa 100. So you need to get a 12V adapter to plug the DC converter into. Then plug your Cpap into the DC inverter so that it uses less energy to run. Depending on power consumption, you can get a full nights sleep with a Cpap machine. It will suck the Sherpa 100 dry, but that is when solar power recharging comes into play.
Solar Charging The Cpap Battery Packs
Goal Zero also do folding solar panels for camping. These are really cool because they fold down in size and can attach to your backpack or tent. They aren’t big and bulky like the traditional photo frame style 30 watt solar panels.
These Goal Zero solar panels come in 10 watt or 20 watt. For a Cpap camper, the Goal Zero Nomad 20 watts is the way to go. The panels fold down roughly to the size of an A4 and can be attached to your gear like I previously mentioned. There’s a big pocket to store things in as well. Such as the small Sherpa 100 battery pack.
So when you wake up in the morning, simply unfold the solar panels and attach to the tent. Connect the Goal Zero battery pack up to the solar panels. After a good day in the sun, your battery pack should have some good charge to it.
Camping With A Cpap Machine Is Possible
With just the above set up of Goal Zero battery pack and solar panels, camping with a Cpap machine is very possible. But not just possible, sustainable. Camping for days on end is now very much a reality for anyone the sleeps with a Cpap machine. All you got to do now is get connected.
Find a decent size battery storage pack like the Goal Zero, get some solar panels with minimum 20 watts and camping no longer is out of bounds. At the end of the day, if you are camping for multiple days, a reputable battery storage unit is required. That is unless you are camping on a powered campsite. But these new innovations in technology now allow Cpap users to camp the world over.