Lets discuss inverters......

[5030]

Don't have a clue where to stick this and I did a forum search and came up with 2,250 possible threads, problem is, of the ones I looked at, none were related to my question / issue...

I need to purchase a 12 volt to 110 volt inverter for my CPAP machine. I need it to use in my camper when I'm in the boonies. I have a portable inverter genny (Yamaha 2800I) but I don't want to run the genny at night, I prefer to run an inverter from the RV batteries (2 large deep cycle).

I think I need a pure sine wave inverter in as much as the CPAP machine is electronic and I'm thinking 1000 watt output should be plenty.

Can I run a 1000 watt inverter all night on 2 deep cycle batteries, no issue recharging, I'll just fire up the inverter genny but I want to sleep, not listen to an engine all night....

It's not a motorhome or a pull behind, it's a truck slide in camper, self contained. I use it for hunting and fishing.

Thoughts please....?

 

[mapper]

I use a c-pap, the blower portion is 12V DC, only the humidifier is 120 AC. The blower will run for days on a deep cycle battery, it's the humidifier that really sucks the juice. Mine is a REM STAR PLUS model m if that helps, the blower portion can be detached from the humidifier. If you can live without the humidifier you would not need the expense and power drain of an inverter.
The only problem I ever encountered while camping was when my son turned it up on edge and drained some of the water in the humidifier tank into the blower, it killed the sensor that turns it on when you start breathing into the mask.

 

[robstaples]

5030, if you can measure the current on the 12 volt side of the inverter two ways. One with nothing plugged in to the inverter and then, number 2, with your cpac plugged in. Your batteries have an ampere hour rating. To start divide the ampere hour rating by the #2 amps and you'll have a theoretical max hour rating. But there is a "but". The ampere hour ratings are based on 20 hour discharge . Example: battery is rated at 60 amp-hr. The battery should put out 60/20 or 3 amps for 20 hours. If the current is higher, the time shortens. Order of magnitude of shortness example: 60 amp-hr might deliver 60 amp for 45 to 50 minutes. And repeated high current discharges consumes the life of the battery and the performance decreases. If you connect your batteries in parallel, you add the amp-hours together to do the above calc. The first current measurement just gives you the overhead or losses of the inverter.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Don't have a clue where to stick this and I did a forum search and came up with 2,250 possible threads, problem is, of the ones I looked at, none were related to my question / issue...

I need to purchase a 12 volt to 110 volt inverter for my CPAP machine. I need it to use in my camper when I'm in the boonies. I have a portable inverter genny (Yamaha 2800I) but I don't want to run the genny at night, I prefer to run an inverter from the RV batteries (2 large deep cycle).

I think I need a pure sine wave inverter in as much as the CPAP machine is electronic and I'm thinking 1000 watt output should be plenty.

Can I run a 1000 watt inverter all night on 2 deep cycle batteries, no issue recharging, I'll just fire up the inverter genny but I want to sleep, not listen to an engine all night....

It's not a motorhome or a pull behind, it's a truck slide in camper, self contained. I use it for hunting and fishing.

Thoughts please....?

Will the CPAP need high quality power? The cheaper inverters are "modified sine" wave ... which is essentially a square wave output. Sine inverters are more expensive by a factor of about 3. Their power is a pretty accurate sine reproduction that motors and electronics like better.

 

[5030]

Will the CPAP need high quality power? The cheaper inverters are "modified sine" wave ... which is essentially a square wave output. Sine inverters are more expensive by a factor of about 3. Their power is a pretty accurate sine reproduction that motors and electronics like better.

Mine is all electronic so I presume it will need clean sine wave power. My genny provides that (Yamaha 2800 Inverter) The camper has 2 large Group 31 deep cycle batteries.

Considering what the machine cost (I own it), I don't want an issue and yes, I can run it without the humidifier, the humidifier unit piggybacks on the main unit.

I have an Li-Ion battery pack for remote hunting trips already but I don't want to use that in the camper and the pack will only run the machine anyway, no humidifier. I can get 2 nights from the pack and then it needs charged, either a 12 volt charge in a truck or 110 in an outlet.

I'm thinking true sine wave. Anyone have any recomendations on a good one?

Also, does it matter where I mount it? I presume they need cooling air but other than that, are there any restrictions? I was thinking under the sink with a hard mounted outlet near the bunk???

I'm figuring if I can get 6 continuous hours on an inverter (before the battery voltage drops too much), that would do it, 6 out of 8 sleeping hours is enough to keep me from being a zoombie....

The humidifier is really not needed, summer camping will be good humidity anyway. I only use my humidifier ar home in the winter anyway.

I know you can buy 12 volt CPAP units just for off the grid but I already own 2, son't need another or the expense (they aren't cheap by any means.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Mine is all electronic so I presume it will need clean sine wave power. My genny provides that (Yamaha 2800 Inverter) The camper has 2 large Group 31 deep cycle batteries.

Considering what the machine cost (I own it), I don't want an issue and yes, I can run it without the humidifier, the humidifier unit piggybacks on the main unit.

I have an Li-Ion battery pack for remote hunting trips already but I don't want to use that in the camper and the pack will only run the machine anyway, no humidifier. I can get 2 nights from the pack and then it needs charged, either a 12 volt charge in a truck or 110 in an outlet.

I'm thinking true sine wave. Anyone have any recomendations on a good one?

Also, does it matter where I mount it? I presume they need cooling air but other than that, are there any restrictions? I was thinking under the sink with a hard mounted outlet near the bunk???

I'm figuring if I can get 6 continuous hours on an inverter (before the battery voltage drops too much), that would do it, 6 out of 8 sleeping hours is enough to keep me from being a zoombie....

The humidifier is really not needed, summer camping will be good humidity anyway. I only use my humidifier ar home in the winter anyway.

I know you can buy 12 volt CPAP units just for off the grid but I already own 2, son't need another or the expense (they aren't cheap by any means.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,24 VDC 1500 WATT COTEK POWER INVERTER

I plan to mount one of these on our electric golf cart. Havnt yet so cant recommend it beyond its features and price. ... 24V is usually a premium; and this one is set up to provide 50 or 60 cycle power out. With your 2 batteries you should be able to contrive a series switching arrangement to power it. It will draw less current than a 12V inverter, so you wont need as large wire.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I too use an ALPHA 3000 Watt inverter for night time use in the event of a power outage. It is transformer based and makes clean sine wave power. I don't like a genset running at night. Mostly because there is no need for it. Remember even deep cylce batteries don't like to be discharged beyond a certain point. I don't remember what is was, but it was not nearly as low I thought possible.

 

[mapper]

I have a 12 V cable for mine that came from the manufacturer, as I recall it was about $40. It will plug into a standard 12V accessory plug or clip directly to the battery posts. A deep cycle battery provided at least a weeks worth of 8 hour nights.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Obviously, if you can avoid making 110V and run on DC that is the way to go.

 

[TomSeller]

This thread has me wondering if my Heat Pump can safely operate off of the power from my 7KW alternator generator, maybe I should dedicate it to that and get an inverter generator for the electronics, lights etc. that share the same circuits.

Then just keep a bucket of ice in the freezer and toss that in the refrigerator when the power goes out to keep the beer cold.