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Using CPAP with unreliable power

Posted by: justretired on Nov 5, 09 at 11:05 PM Posted in: Mexico & Central America Tagged: , , , Jump to last reply
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Does anyone have any experience using a CPAP machine in countries with unreliable power? I’ve traveled to France with my CPAP with no problems, but we are now thinking of a trip to Costa Rica, to some wilderness areas with unreliable power (or where, in fact, there may be a scheduled power outage during the night).

The CPAP machine I have is a ResMed "S8 Elite II". Looking at ResMed's "Battery guide", I should be able to get away with a 12 volt 8 amp-hour gel cell. A typical battery of that type weighs over 7 pounds, and is about 3 x 5 x 6 inches. I'd have to also buy a separate charger, and a ResMed "converter" to maintain the 12 volt level as the battery discharges.

According to ResMed tech support, that CPAP unit will not automatically switch over from line to battery; you have to choose one or the other, so I might have to use the battery every night, all night, and recharge it every day (a problem when changing locations). I'm also a bit afraid that international airlines might be touchy about carrying such a large battery aboard, but it strikes me as considerably more dangerous to put in in checked baggage.

The whole thing sounds complicated and barely workable. Does anyone have any experience with this sort of stuff? Thanks.

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