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Having looked over the forums about camping and use of a CPAP machine I found this, scrolling down shows how long your battery should last based on 8 hours sleep depending on your setting.  (I think the NHS only use Resimed, they gave me an S8)

http://www.resmed.com/uk/assets/documents/service_support/battery_guide/19825_battery-guide_glo_eng.pdf

I have now ordered the DC 12 converter but am stuck with an odd problem.

The converter only comes with a plug for a cigarette socket.

Am I right in thinking my 3 pin plugs in a 89 caravan will only be when attached to mains hook up?.  (240v AC)

If yes I do have small round plugs with two "slots" in ... does a device exist that I can plug into these that has a cigarette socket on the other end?...

Or am I looking at having to install a cigarette socket?.

Thanks !

Hi Digisatman, forgot to say most of the time I will never have hook up.

That link is absolutly spot on and exactly what I wanted !... many many thanks...  I spent ages on google last night trying to find this !

Be very careful where you are intending to run a CPAP Machine from a 12v supply.

The ONLY safe ways to do this is to either run it directly from a 12v socket through your particular CPAP Machine Manufacturer's 12v connection lead (Usually very pricey) or through an Inverter.

Some CPAP Machines, ResMed for instance, are made in Australia and these have a reversed polarity. Try running it through a British or Continental 12v supply cable and you will knacker your CPAP Machine.

I have 7x12v cigar type sockets in the van, 6 on 10A and 1 on 15A. The 300w Inverter plugs into the 15A socket and the CPAP goes into the Inverter.

I also have a number of EHU mains sockets and use my CPAP on these when we are on a hook up.

I prefer to use my CPAP Machine through the van's battery because caravan site mains electrics are notorious for failing, especially through the night.
My van battery has never failed me yet.

Guys

In the ambulance service for CPAP we use oxygen/compressed air driven devices that need no electricity. Would it not be possible to lease one of these, at least just for night time use.

Jon

Quote: Originally posted by jonbob71 on 14/5/2010

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Guys

In the ambulance service for CPAP we use oxygen/compressed air driven devices that need no electricity. Would it not be possible to lease one of these, at least just for night time use.

Jon

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Hi Jon, I think you will find that those of us who use CPAP Machines would prefer to use our own no matter where we were.

Also, the amount of electricity that a CPAP (without a humidifier on it) uses is so small that you could use it for a week, through an Inverter, from a 110Ah battery without the need of a recharge.

Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 14/5/2010

Be very careful where you are intending to run a CPAP Machine from a 12v supply.

The ONLY safe ways to do this is to either run it directly from a 12v socket through your particular CPAP Machine Manufacturer's 12v connection lead (Usually very pricey) or through an Inverter.

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I think you are very wise to buy the official ResiMed one.

Do me a favour and post on here where you are getting it from as the last time I looked at the price it was over £70. Hence me going down the Inverter route.

I did read on an American Website that you can simply change any 12v cigar plug/socket wire over by cutting through the twin core wire and reconnecting the wire in reverse IE + to - and - to +, but until someone else tries this and shows me it working, I am loathed, like you, to knacker my NHS Machine.

Quote: Originally posted by LobeyDosser on 14/5/2010

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I think you are very wise to buy the official ResiMed one.

Do me a favour and post on here where you are getting it from as the last time I looked at the price it was over £70. Hence me going down the Inverter route.

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My CPAP 12v Converter has arrived and I have run it in the van with the machine just to try it out.

It will only run 3Ah less per night than running the machine through an Invertor but it will save a lot of fiddling about with an extra unit and it is easier to pack a bit of cable than the Invertor.

Also the Converter is a more stable unit voltage wise.

EHU at £3 per night, goodbye and good riddance.

Hi, I have run my cpap on 240v (EHU) for the last 3 years and had no trouble at all, Mine is the Resimed as well . I have taken mine all over the world and had no problems in any country as it automatically runs between 110v-240v, we always use EHU just so my cpap works ok, I dont see why I should buy one with a battery when i can use mains power. We may be in a tourer but we still like our little luxurys.

                                       atb Bill

Hi Bill, My van was specifically designed and built to be run on 12v only. Solar Panel, 12v fridge and 12v only lighting. I have also had 6 extra 12v sockets fitted to run our other 12v accessories.

It does have mains for those that want it but for the likes of the CPAP I have had to go on mains this past year. Now I no longer need an EHU and I am a happy bunny.

Much of our caravanning takes place on Rally Fields, THS and Wildcamping, and EHU is not available there, so our caravanning this past year has been severely restricted.

>>>  We may be in a tourer but we still like our little luxurys. <<<
I cannot think of anything that we have that would be any more luxurious if it was on mains instead of 12v and we certainly are not missing anything because we prefer to be 12v only.

Just a matter of prefrence and freedom of choice, really.

I agree with what you say about choice but we prefer to run on leccy lol must be soft round here . when i say luxuries it was a bit tongue in cheek but i have to charge my phone due to ill health we have to have it with us and where would kay be without her hair drier ????????plus we use leccy for cooking as well but hats off to anyone that does without , i could'nt go touring without

                                           atb Bill