Request for updated CPAP battery info 2025

H

Holly Bee

Newbie
I am a new CPAP user and I have read the previous thread from 2013 on power options. With the new things CI has been doing, Li-on batteries, on-off power switches and solar kits, is there new info on powering a CPAP with or without the humidifier? I used my Bluetti for one night recently when boondocking and it ran the Bluetti completely down. We have a 2009 560, but we don't mind putting money into it if it will be workable for me.
Right now our power options are a medium sized Bluetti a smaller Jackery, an AGM battery, a solar panel Zamp 120 that came with the teardrop and a suitcase solar panel that came with the Bluetti.
Arnie
 
Glenn Gerschke said:
Holly Bee, I purchased a battery last year specially made for CPAP machines. It is called the EXP96PRO. It is a lithium ion battery, approximately 307wh and I typically get 4 plus nights with it not using humidity. It is light weight and fits nicely in the headside cabinetView attachment 11743
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Glenn Gerschke said:
Holly Bee, I purchased a battery last year specially made for CPAP machines. It is called the EXP96PRO. It is a lithium ion battery, approximately 307wh and I typically get 4 plus nights with it not using humidity. It is light weight and fits nicely in the headside cabinetView attachment 11743
Click to expand...
Thank you for this idea. Have you ever compared it when using it with humidity to see what the difference is?
 
Holly Bee said:
Thank you for this idea. Have you ever compared it when using it with humidity to see what the difference is?
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Glenn Gerschke said:
I have not, my guess would be one plus days.
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All my experiments showed similar results as Glenn guesses. My current practice is to put a splash of distilled water in the humidifier chamber but leave it turned off, sometimes called “passover” humidifying. It’s not much but it helps.

Since writing about my experiences and trials with CPAP power I have:
Replaced the smaller Victron SuperCycle pony battery with a 50ah lithium that I keep in the headboard cabinet.
Added a folding Renogy 100w “solar suitcase” that I take on off grid trips in the sun (Utah!), with which I have charged both pony and CI batts.
Kept the 100ah Victron SuperCycle as my trailer battery, with added CTEK 12v/12v alternator/solar charger. With that charger upgrade it’s a happy camper.

I’ve very much kept my belt and suspenders approach of both batteries, either of which can keep the CPAP powered for several days. It gives me real peace of mind that I won’t have to suddenly pack up and head for home or a hotel! Most of the campgrounds we stay in are heavily shaded and do not have shore power.
 
I have a Resmed Airsense 11 and just got a DC charger. Tested with an Anker C300 last night and lasted about 6 hrs before the battery died. Using normal settings with the humidifier it pulls about 50-60wh. Need to do some more testing to find the sweet spot and I do enjoy the humidifier.
 
Ericp said:
I have a Resmed Airsense 11 and just got a DC charger. Tested with an Anker C300 last night and lasted about 6 hrs before the battery died. Using normal settings with the humidifier it pulls about 50-60wh. Need to do some more testing to find the sweet spot and I do enjoy the humidifier.
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Early on with CPAP I found that I had to turn off the humidifier to achieve my minimum of 5 nights off grid. Eventually, between a dedicated 50ah lithium and a 100ah lead/acid in the camper I have up to 11 nights with some margin. At that point in time sogens were new and relatively expensive, and carrying a solar panel wasn’t helpful since we primarily camp in the national forests of the Pacific Northwest. My backup would be driving for alternator charging of the CI battery.

Putting a quarter inch of water in the (unheated) humidifier chamber helps a little. Humidifiers are a power hog!

It took me a LONG time to figure out my best approach. Everyone’s needs and opportunities are different, but here’s what I did:
SethB

Thread 'Cpap Power For Boondocking'

I’m considering what electrical capacity / charging upgrades may be best for extended boondocking away from shore power. Ultimately, for me, a camper is a way to carry a big power source for CPAP usage. Otherwise, I couldn’t camp. Running out of power means going home or to another shore power source for sleeping or charging.

My experience with a previous camper set up with LED bulbs and propane refrigerator is about 2.5 to 3.5 nights of CPAP use (no humidifier) on a Group 24 deep-cycle conventional lead-acid battery.

It’s a project that will take weeks, if not months. I plan to document...
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