Battery backup and charging (noxious fumes)

[xpi0t0s]

Hi all

New poster here but been using CPAP for the last 8 years or so. I can't sleep at all without the machine. I've checked the existing threads about batteries but haven't found an answer to what's currently on my mind.

As a contingency for power cuts I've acquired a leisure battery but it occurred to me that recharging car batteries should be done in a well ventilated area as the battery gives off fumes when charging.

Is the same true for leisure batteries? Mine's a marine deep cycle battery.

I could setup the battery in the garage and recharge it there but this means running a lead through the house or drilling holes in the walls, neither of which I'm particularly keen on. I'd much prefer to have the battery, recharger and machine all in the bedroom but obviously if recharging gives off noxious fumes then this is a non-starter.

What do others do for backup power when the mains power goes off?

Machine: Respironics RemStar Plus, 13cm H2O, typically sleep 7-8h/night. Got all the leads needed for running it off a battery and just need to set it up once I've sorted the recharging problem out.

Thanks,
Dave.

[James @ Intus]

Welcome Dave!

I hadn't heard of that but it makes sense. Traditional batteries involve a lot of chemical reactions so a by-product sounds quite possible.

Our Super CPAP Battery Pack is a Lithium-Polymer battery which is dry-cell and the safest battery technology currently around. On an average pressure setting, it easily powers a modern CPAP for 2 nights, possibly even 3.

So if budget allows, that's a great option. Otherwise perhaps hang yours outside the bedroom window like a flower basket. Would still require drilling of course.

We have a few engineer type professionals here in the forums (Tigers Fan springs to mind) who can possibly answer your concerns better.

[GrumpyBiker]

If the leisure battery is a VRLA type - usually called a sealed battery - then recharging should be OK. A lead-acid battery gives off hydrogen during the charge cycle, which inan enclosed area can be explosive, hence the need to charge in a ventilated area. There are many AGM (absorbed Glass Mat) lead-acid batteries available which are sealed and leak-proof. This is the type used as standby power for corporate computer systems and would be ideal for CPAP standby.
A power-sonic PS-12260 26amp-hour battery would be ideal and should give you a full 8-hours use without humidifier. They are quite cheap - under £50 - and can be charged on a normal 12V charger.
Seehere for a good online supplier - I have bought from here in the past.

Go a little larger to the PS-12380 and you get a 38amp-hour battery that should give a bit more margin for a humidifier on a low setting. These cost aout £90.

I have the super CPAP battery James mentioned to use on motorcycle camping trips It cost a LOT more, but is very compact and light and therefore mor suited to the bike. I have got three 7-hour nights on one charge, without humidifier.

BTW, I am an electronic engineer with some experience in specifying batteries for emergency backup of electronic systems.

Andy

[Tired Jack]

Back up power

Have you tried an offline u.p.s. Around here power fails are fairly common and you don't half wake up quick when the machine stops working. I have tried one and it does make life a lot better as you do not get the machine stopping in the middle of the night. The units are self contained with a sealed battery so do not push out any fumes and can be used any way up. They can also run the machine for quite a while without power. Hope this helps Jack

[MaccaUK]

You could try the CSB GP1226 for £53.99? That could do the trick? Or the PS-12380 - why not drop them a line?