 IowaCowboyWant to go back to IowaPremium
join:2010-10-16
Springfield, MA
 ·Comcast
 ·Verizon Broadban..
| UPS back-up for a CPAP machine
UPS I am thinking of buying |
I have severe sleep apnea to the point of being life-threatening.
Here are the power specifications taken off of the CPAP manufacturer's website. I also use it with a heated humidifier that is attached to the machine and is powered by the machine.
90W power supply unit
Input range 100–240V, 50–60Hz,
Nominal for aircraft use 110V, 400Hz
Typical power consumption 70W (80VA) Maximum power consumption 110W (120VA)
UPS Specs: 865 Watts, 1500 Va. up to 164 minutes run time. |
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 DarkLogixTexan and ProudPremium
join:2008-10-23
Baytown, TX
kudos:3 | Well I'd consider the following
1. how long do you normally sleep? I'd bet its over 3 hours so if you lost power shortly after getting to sleep then it wouldn't last, though the beeping might wake you up.
2. APC's backup's line only adjusts so fat based on load, ie even on a tiny load you won't get over 164min
3. APC's smart ups are much more able to adjust to the load, and the Smart-ups XL UPS'es can have an add on battery to further extend run time
all that said the smart ups models cost much more, and the beeping of the Back-ups might be enough to wake you in case of power failure
I'd get the one pictured and test it before depending on it. |
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 hitachi369Embrace Your RightsPremium
join:2001-10-03
Grand Rapids, MI
kudos:4
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| reply to IowaCowboy
I accept no liability for anything, you should consult your medical advisor.
The UPS will beep when the power goes off, so run time likely won't matter, as for me at least the beeping wakes me up. At which point you would be woken up and can decide what action to taken. |
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 ArthurSWatch Those Blinking LightsPremium
join:2000-10-28
Hamilton, ON | reply to IowaCowboy
Run time on a UPS battery is also dependent on the pressure your CPAP machine is set at. Have you explored battery operated CPAP machines? There are several options available here:
»www.cpap.com/cpap-battery-power/···tery.php
You might want to visit their forum as well, lots of helpful people there that have the same challenges as you:
»www.cpaptalk.com/CPAP-Sleep-Apnea-Forum.html |
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 DraimanLet me see those devil horns in the sky
join:2012-06-01
Kill Devil Hills, NC
·Verizon FiOS
| reply to IowaCowboy
Just go buy the APC. Take it home then hook up the unit and let it charge up for 24 hours. Next hook up your machine and pull the plug on the APC. Start a stop watch and see how it works. If it works well your set. If not put it back into the box and return it to Best Buy. |
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 cdruGo ColtsPremium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
kudos:7 | reply to IowaCowboy
said by IowaCowboy:I am thinking of purchasing a UPS back-up power supply to plug my CPAP machine (medical device for sleep apnea) into as I use a full face mask and worry about an interruption in the power supply causing me to suffocate.
...
I have severe sleep apnea to the point of being life-threatening.
Have you ever heard of someone dying from suffocation due to a power outage while on a CPAP machine? They are designed for such instances. Worst case, if the power goes out, you'll be no worse off for the remainder of the night breathing just like you would if you didn't wear the mask that night. The force required during inhaling would be only slightly more then normal. The force required to exhale actually would be less then a standard CPAP machine since you aren't going against the flow.
Check with your CPAP machine to see if it can run directly on a battery. My Fisher & Paykel CPAP normally runs on 120VAC, but also has a 12VDC port for running on battery, camper/RV, etc. You can get a battery backup like this one (just an example, not necessarily endorsing it) that will power your machine for up to 15 hours.
I wouldn't go the UPS route for 2 reasons. One is that you're adding additional inefficiencies with the AC->DC->AC conversion process. Plus a device intended specifically for CPAP machines will be easier to help get insurance to pay for, where a UPS they will definitely balk at. They will still probably balk initially at the battery backup, but at least you'll have more going for you. |
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| reply to IowaCowboy
»www.cpapdiscountstore.com/catalo···709.html
I would seriously check with your CPAP manufacturer and those that use the apnea devices *BEFORE* going the route of a computer battery backup.
The 865Watt is not realistic in 168minutes runtime (it does vary) and less than 3 hours is not a full night sleep. Ofcourse will you awaken when you hear it beep-beep-beep? Or the fan runs (the new APC models have fans that are loud when recharging).
BTW-I had that model and it ran down to 15mins in less than an hour (I only had a 108Watt Xbox and 25Watt LCD connected...it should have lasted 2-3hours...I shutdown much sooner than that)
--
Splat |
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 jjoshuaPremium
join:2001-06-01
Scotch Plains, NJ
kudos:3 | reply to IowaCowboy
For certified medical devices, you should check with the device manufacturer only. Don't rely on any other advice. |
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DarkLogixTexan and ProudPremium
join:2008-10-23
Baytown, TX
kudos:3 | reply to cableties
said by cableties:BTW-I had that model and it ran down to 15mins in less than an hour (I only had a 108Watt Xbox and 25Watt LCD connected...it should have lasted 2-3hours...I shutdown much sooner than that)
Ya the backups units don't get as near the extremes as the smartups do
even then I bet that 168 number is just calculated and it'll likely never actually last that long. |
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| reply to IowaCowboy
If the CPAP machine suffocates you when power goes out, I don't see how the FDA or other Gov't agency would allow its use and sale.
I am pretty sure that if/when power goes out it will simply fail "open" and you will still be breathing but sans pressure.
However if you really want a UPS I would recommend a pure sine wave on-line UPS such as one of the small liebert UPSes from refurbups.com
I would not use the humidifier with the UPS. |
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 alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC
kudos:1 | reply to IowaCowboy
As DarkLogix has said in his point #2, a UPS won't last long unless it's designed to last long. UPS's are designed to last a little while but with a lot of power.
Example:
My UPS can supply 810W
It can sustain 9 minutes at half load.
810w * 50% * 9 minutes = 3645 Watt*Minute
Your thing takes 90 watts.
3645 / 90 = 40.5 minutes
That's way too short. |
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cdruGo ColtsPremium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
kudos:7 | reply to cableties
Ofcourse will you awaken when you hear it beep-beep-beep? Or the fan runs (the new APC models have fans that are loud when recharging).
said by cableties:The 865Watt is not realistic in 168minutes runtime (it does vary) and less than 3 hours is not a full night sleep.
...
BTW-I had that model and it ran down to 15mins in less than an hour (I only had a 108Watt Xbox and 25Watt LCD connected...it should have lasted 2-3hours...I shutdown much sooner than that)
Many CPAP machines run well below 1A at 120v. Newer models may be as low as 30 watts after startup. Even if you get 1/2 the battery capacity for usable runtime, you better get at least 168 minutes out of it, if not significantly longer. |
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| reply to IowaCowboy
I have sleep apnea too and never worried about this as if air got thin I would wake up.
Are you saying if you stop breathing you will not wake up gasping for air and just quietly suffocate?
Dave |
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Reviews:
·Comcast
| reply to cdru
said by cdru:said by IowaCowboy:I am thinking of purchasing a UPS back-up power supply to plug my CPAP machine (medical device for sleep apnea) into as I use a full face mask and worry about an interruption in the power supply causing me to suffocate.
...
I have severe sleep apnea to the point of being life-threatening.
Have you ever heard of someone dying from suffocation due to a power outage while on a CPAP machine? They are designed for such instances. Worst case, if the power goes out, you'll be no worse off for the remainder of the night breathing just like you would if you didn't wear the mask that night. The force required during inhaling would be only slightly more then normal. The force required to exhale actually would be less then a standard CPAP machine since you aren't going against the flow. Check with your CPAP machine to see if it can run directly on a battery. My Fisher & Paykel CPAP normally runs on 120VAC, but also has a 12VDC port for running on battery, camper/RV, etc. You can get a battery backup like this one (just an example, not necessarily endorsing it) that will power your machine for up to 15 hours. I wouldn't go the UPS route for 2 reasons. One is that you're adding additional inefficiencies with the AC->DC->AC conversion process. Plus a device intended specifically for CPAP machines will be easier to help get insurance to pay for, where a UPS they will definitely balk at. They will still probably balk initially at the battery backup, but at least you'll have more going for you. This. |
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 bobrkYou kids get offa my lawnPremium
join:2000-02-02
San Jose, CA
 ·SONIC.NET
| said by workablob:said by cdru:said by IowaCowboy:I am thinking of purchasing a UPS back-up power supply to plug my CPAP machine (medical device for sleep apnea) into as I use a full face mask and worry about an interruption in the power supply causing me to suffocate.
...
I have severe sleep apnea to the point of being life-threatening.
Have you ever heard of someone dying from suffocation due to a power outage while on a CPAP machine? They are designed for such instances. Worst case, if the power goes out, you'll be no worse off for the remainder of the night breathing just like you would if you didn't wear the mask that night. The force required during inhaling would be only slightly more then normal. The force required to exhale actually would be less then a standard CPAP machine since you aren't going against the flow. Check with your CPAP machine to see if it can run directly on a battery. My Fisher & Paykel CPAP normally runs on 120VAC, but also has a 12VDC port for running on battery, camper/RV, etc. You can get a battery backup like this one (just an example, not necessarily endorsing it) that will power your machine for up to 15 hours. I wouldn't go the UPS route for 2 reasons. One is that you're adding additional inefficiencies with the AC->DC->AC conversion process. Plus a device intended specifically for CPAP machines will be easier to help get insurance to pay for, where a UPS they will definitely balk at. They will still probably balk initially at the battery backup, but at least you'll have more going for you. This. Concur. I can breath fine with mine turned off. Plus whenever it gets dislodged or leaks, I wake up. |
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Reviews:
·Comcast
| said by bobrk:Concur. I can breath fine with mine turned off. Plus whenever it gets dislodged or leaks, I wake up.
Same here. I think the OP is worrying for nothing.
OP, Talk to your doctor just to be sure.
Dave |
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bobrkYou kids get offa my lawnPremium
join:2000-02-02
San Jose, CA | Definitely, there are a lot of different masks out there but I think they all work the same way. |
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 tmh
@comcastbusiness.net | reply to IowaCowboy
Seriously, it looks like we're overthinking this problem.
Why not buy a power failure alarm, that's loud enough to wake you up when the juice goes out?
You can buy one for under 20 bucks (»www.acehardware.com/product/inde···55761191). |
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cdruGo ColtsPremium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
kudos:7 | reply to workablob
said by workablob:Are you saying if you stop breathing you will not wake up gasping for air and just quietly suffocate? Since you have apnea, you should know the answer whether you wake up or not when you quietly start to suffocate.  |
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cdruGo ColtsPremium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
kudos:7 | reply to fifty nine
said by fifty nine:I would not use the humidifier with the UPS. That likely is not an option that can be switched depending on power source. Either run it 100% of the time, or don't run it at all. |
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