What Size Inverter Do I Need To Run My CPAP
04-28-2016
Author: in Guest Blogs
Posted by Quinn Larson from the Guaranty.com Blog
Spoiler Alert!! On average a 400watt pure sine wave inverter will work with most CPAP machines on the market today. That’s the short answer but the question is a bit more complicated than it seems, and yes, there is math involved. Don’t panic, you can do it.
Apnea – From The Greek Apnos “Without Breathing.”
An estimated 18 million American adults have some degree of sleep apnea. Most still enjoy a full and active life, but like any chronic condition, accommodations must be made for proper treatment. The most common treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. Depending on the severity of your sleep apnea a CPAP may be life-saving equipment. If you camp or RV finding a reliable way to provide power to the CPAP all night without hook ups or a generator becomes a serious concern.
CPAP - Which Type Do I Have?
There are many CPAP machines on the market and each has features and specifications unique to their respective make and model. The unique specifications of your CPAP will come into play when we do the math to determine the correct size inverter for your machine. There are travel size CPAP machines that work with a battery pack designed to power the machine for one to two nights before recharging; there are units that plug into a 110volt outlet but use a converter built into the power cord to provide the machine 12volt power; and there are units that run strictly on 110volt. If you have the option to run your machine directly on 12volts that is a more efficient use of power than asking a small box of 12volt to provide 110volt for any length of time. For this article we will be talking about the 110volt only models, mostly because they are the only units that would require an inverter. How do I know if my CPAP is a “dual voltage” or 110volt exclusive machine? It is pretty simple to identify your machine’s voltage requirements. On the back of most machines, at or near where the power cord is attached, you will find an amp rating and required voltage. If the voltage is shown as 12v your unit runs on 12volt and there should be a cord available from the CPAP manufacturer that allows the unit to be plugged directly into a 12volt power source. No inverter needed, you can stop reading now if you like. If your CPAP is 110volt exclusive we have worked our way to the math portion of the program.
To continue reading, head over to the Guaranty Blog!
Spoiler Alert!! On average a 400watt pure sine wave inverter will work with most CPAP machines on the market today. That’s the short answer but the question is a bit more complicated than it seems, and yes, there is math involved. Don’t panic, you can do it.
Apnea – From The Greek Apnos “Without Breathing.”
An estimated 18 million American adults have some degree of sleep apnea. Most still enjoy a full and active life, but like any chronic condition, accommodations must be made for proper treatment. The most common treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. Depending on the severity of your sleep apnea a CPAP may be life-saving equipment. If you camp or RV finding a reliable way to provide power to the CPAP all night without hook ups or a generator becomes a serious concern.
CPAP - Which Type Do I Have?
There are many CPAP machines on the market and each has features and specifications unique to their respective make and model. The unique specifications of your CPAP will come into play when we do the math to determine the correct size inverter for your machine. There are travel size CPAP machines that work with a battery pack designed to power the machine for one to two nights before recharging; there are units that plug into a 110volt outlet but use a converter built into the power cord to provide the machine 12volt power; and there are units that run strictly on 110volt. If you have the option to run your machine directly on 12volts that is a more efficient use of power than asking a small box of 12volt to provide 110volt for any length of time. For this article we will be talking about the 110volt only models, mostly because they are the only units that would require an inverter. How do I know if my CPAP is a “dual voltage” or 110volt exclusive machine? It is pretty simple to identify your machine’s voltage requirements. On the back of most machines, at or near where the power cord is attached, you will find an amp rating and required voltage. If the voltage is shown as 12v your unit runs on 12volt and there should be a cord available from the CPAP manufacturer that allows the unit to be plugged directly into a 12volt power source. No inverter needed, you can stop reading now if you like. If your CPAP is 110volt exclusive we have worked our way to the math portion of the program.
To continue reading, head over to the Guaranty Blog!
Comment
No comments found! Be the first one to write a comment!
Author: Guaranty RV
