CPAP/Power inverter question

My ResMed uses 2.5 amps which is about 275 watts. But like anything with a motor, start up wattage is about twice as high. You need a modified sine wave inverter which Cobra's are. If your company allows it I would go ahead and get a 1500 or 2500 watt inverter. Then you'll have all the power you need if you want a microwave.

There are some good threads on wiring one in.

1. Use short power leads less than 4 feet. The shorter the better. The wire size should be the same as the hole size on the inverter lugs. Then use 6-12ft extension cords if needed to get to your appliances. Like my Pete 387 the batteries are under the driver. I mounted the inverter on the floor behind the seat. A professional job will solder the lead ends to keep from bird caging before connecting to the inverter. The battery side, solder lugs on for the connection. They sell installation cables already made up.

2. Insulate any hole penetrations through the floor to prevent the wire from wearing and shorting. They even sell circuit breakers now on Cobra.com if you want a real professional job. Use rubber grommets and/or RTV silicon or similar on the holes. Some trucks already have factory holes with a solid rubber grommet in place. Take a utility knife and cut an X in that grommet.

3. Run a seperate chassis ground to the inverter chassis ground. 12awg will do there.

I'll see if I can't find that thread someone made with pictures.

 

I was looking all over and it was docked.

PureTed has a good installation with pictures.

A few things I would do different...

Use a red and black power leads instead of one color.

The hole in the floor he didn't protect good. At least not in that picture. That is the most critical step besides short cables.

The quick connect is okay but won't do a thing if the cables short on the floor. I've seen two trucks burn down and it's from the hole penetration shorting. Buy a circuit breaker and install it between the batteries and the floor and you'll never have any worries. Even protect the hole good would be fine. The inverter has an overload shut down and also a low voltage shut down. No need to worry about it throwing sparks.

His connections are good.

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...313-installing-a-power-inverter-pictures.html

 

Some company shops will install it for you. I would ask the shop manager. Also I'm sure if you asked on the CB at a truck stop someone would be more than glad to help.

I have a 400 watt inverter that plugs in a cigarette lighter. Check back tomorrow and I'll see if it will run it. Those you can get for $40 bucks or so.

 

Hello there I use a cpap machine in my truck and I use a cig plug in for cpap I do keep a converter in my truck just in case the cord goes out!!

 

Something about my inverter burned up the humidfier on the CPAP, the machine worked fine but not the warmer, thinking of visiting my Dr to see whats new on the market since mines nearly 10 years old anyway.

Also mite want to search around on a sleep apnea forum & see who has what, surley someone has some input.