Can I run my cpap on a 400w inverter without idling?

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by F4T6UY, Jun 7, 2019.

  1. MidWest_MacDaddy

    MidWest_MacDaddy Road Train Member

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    Would that still be the same draw on the batteries? I might be wrong... probably.
     
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  3. truckdriver31

    truckdriver31 Road Train Member

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    it works for me. but i forgot one thing. wm runs gel batteries
     
  4. truckdriver31

    truckdriver31 Road Train Member

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  5. F4T6UY

    F4T6UY Medium Load Member

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    Again, I’m an electrical dummy, but I think the inverter draws more than the item plugged into it.
     
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  6. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    I get where you are coming from, but here is the thing, if your company requires you to use it (doesn't matter if you need to use it or not), then it is their problem to get you a jump or fix the batteries. Most battery sets can handle a cpap with humidifier load for 8 to 10 hours, have one bad battery and that time can go down to 4 hours. The load isn't much, I think it is 120 watts at the most but the batteries are a problem for most trucks.

    So here is what I wonder about, the make of the machine.

    Seeing that you can get 12 volt adapters for many of the machines (not cheap) to use while on the road, taking the inverter completely out of the scene, it would be a good idea to use one if your machine has one.

    the other thing and this is somewhat odd is to use a cpap backup supply in conjunction with the inverter. It is complicated to explain but I think they make a few where you can run the machine with the backup supply and the back up supply is charged with the inverter, not taking a lot of power from the batteries.
     
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  7. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I got a 12 volt power supply for my bipap for $25 online. Google it.
     
  8. MidWest_MacDaddy

    MidWest_MacDaddy Road Train Member

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    Again, far from an Electrical Engineer here... so this might be so totally off base... but isn’t there a problem running things like Surge Suppressors and Battery Backups (many have Surge protectors built in) in conjunction with batteries and inverters???

    Again, Electrical is not my strength
     
  9. Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    I have two lithium batteries that plug into 12v plug in truck to run my BiPAP. It's basically a backup batteries if power goes out at home. I got the 12v plug for it. It can run CPAP like 3 nights on batteries only but once you run humidity and heated hose. You only get 3 hours. My truck has automatic start. For sleeper heat or a/c so it start every hour. That enough to recharge the lithium batteries to keep CPAP going all night. It really expensive set up. My truck has inverter but the problem is the inverter cut off at 11.5 volts when the engine start the volts drop for 2 second sometimes the inverter cuts off. I see better inverter you can lower the cut off volts to like 10 or something. Not sure if that would fit problem or not. Not sure how long the lithium battery backup setup will last.

    I have the 12v for the CPAP also if you plug it into sleep 12v plug. The low voltage cutoff on the truck, cut the power in middle of night. If I plug it into 12v in front dash it work but you have plug it and unplug every day because the wire gets in the way. Then I rather keep using the battery backup setup and a new battery every 3 years.
     
  10. tucker

    tucker Road Train Member

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    The low battery warning just alerts you that the truck is about to shut off the power to “comfort” circuits.
    You’ll still have enough juice to start the truck.
    That’s what it does,
     
  11. tarmadilo

    tarmadilo Road Train Member

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    I’m driving a 2014 KW T660 and I run both my CPAP and a dorm fridge through my inverter. I idle all night if it’s too hot or (rarely) too cold, but many nights I shut it down and run on the batteries with no problem.
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2019
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