I have read through all of the threads that I can find on this subject on here. Does anyone have any experience with a ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset (apparently much different than any model that they have ever produced) using a battery pack and a solar charger? Apparently the polarity is reversed from almost every other machine on the market and it is a 24v unit. Even with the humidifier off, the climate control off, the EPR off and in airplane mode I'm afraid that it will draw too much power. From what I can tell it will draw around 13 amps/hr at 12 cmH2O. I'm not sure if putting it at a single preset pressure will help; right now I have it set from a low of 10 to a high of 14.

Aside from rechargeable battery packs that likely won't work with this unit I was thinking about a Goal Zero Sherpa 100 with a 20w panel and 110v converter block. Need 10-20 hours to fully charge the Sherpa 100 which should last 2 nights. Relying on a lot of sunlight with this setup. Around $550.

I have only been using it for 6 months so I thought that I could get by without it but I have been trying to sleep without it lately and I am having a tough time without it. With both central and obstructive sleep apnea the dental devices don't work.

I'm not sure on your specific machine. But here is what I'm using

I have purchased Anker Astro Pro 20000 mAh 12 V batteries and tested them and I get one night per battery without my humidifier @ pressure setting of 13. I bought the older model due to the reading on CPAP forums that the newer Anker has a auto shut off when the draw drops beyond a certain point for any reason. (Battery was just short of 8 hours) They sell for about $100 on eBay new

I have also tested using the Poweradd™ Pilot Pro 32000mah in a serial mode with the Anker and it works that way but NOT as a stand alone (It auto shuts off as soon as the CPAP is turned on) At the end of the first night the Anker was as 100% and the Poweradd just below 50% so the combo should be good for almost 3 nights. They are about $130 on eBay new

For a 7 night trip I have 4 Anker and 3 PowerAdds which by testing is 10 nights worth Max which gives me about a 50% buffer. I have severe apnea and can't risk sleeping without mine.

I also got the AllPowers 24 watt solar charger which I plan to test up there and see if I can cut back on some of the batteries in the future, but for reasons stated I can't depend on it for now.

All the batteries, chargers, cables, hoses and CPAP go into a Pelican Case 1450. (Heavy hand carry on portages 20 lbs)

If you do the math I could have bought a solo canoe for what I had to invest but it was that or give up wilderness camping.

Not sure if this helps with your specific unit, but I spent many hours figuring out how to make this work for me.

Boji - I read your earlier thread as well and I was trying to make sense of the connector ends. Great info; very detailed, thanks. My worry is that the 24v converter that I need to have for the ResMed won't plug into the battery pack port. What cables did you use to link the battery packs together? I can sleep without the CPAP if I need to; I tested it again last night and I made it all night, I only woke about 3-4 times. But as the doctor put it, "that's why people have heart attacks and die in their sleep". I have made it 50 years without it but it has made my life much more enjoyable in the past 6 months. I have been to the Bdub a dozen times or so, but my last trip was 23 years ago. Do you mind if I email you if I have any more questions?

Another option for you...

Instead of taking your main machine, what about bringing or buying a backup machine like the Philips Respironics System 1 560 Auto?

They can be found on Craigslist for about $250-300 or less and are 12v. Available online too. They have less expensive 12v cables and seem more off the grid friendly.

I'm a OSA sufferer, and decided that was a better way for me. I didn't want to bring my main machine into the woods. My hunting camp setup consists of a deep cycle battery, 12 cigarette lighter adapter, and a $30 cable; and of course my PRS1 560...

My primary APAP is a Resmed S9 autoset. The breathing differences are minimal to me. I did set my own pressure on it. There are manuals out there to be found.

Nozzlenut, Great idea about a smaller CPAP that would easily hookup to the batteries that Bojibob recommends. Here is the kicker, I started using the CPAP in January, and my insurance company paid 100% for all of the equipment back in January since I don't have a deductible. My company changed insurance companies on April 1st and the new company will pay for all new equipment once again. They make some portable machines that are the size of your hand and can practically fit in your pocket. These are 12 - 14.4 volt and can pretty much use almost any battery pack out there. I have a great doctor and he showed me how to make changes to my AirSense 10 machine even though he could do it remotely. Since it has a wireless transmitter he had me make subtle changes and monitored the results from his office until I had it dialed in to where it was perfect for me. I travel on a plane several times a month and it would be really nice having a smaller device to travel with that doesn't take up so much room in my luggage or that I have to carry on. Once again, great ideas from this terrific site.

Joel,

Email sent but kicked back....please email me

We will get you all fixed up brother :-)

Bojibob - email sent. Thanks again!

Have any of you CPAP users ever tried to modify the cords to your CPAP solar chargers to allow for USB charging of other devices? I tried to do this but it wouldn't charge my device. I even checked the connectivity of my cord that I spliced and it was fine. But it will only charge the CPAP battery.

Northwoodsman-

I'd be interested in information and/or links to the smaller portable ones you have discovered. I have been considering going without since my sleep apnea is not life-threatening. So far I have not seen a vast improvement from its use, but do feel better.

Boonie -

HDM - Z1 Auto CPAP
HDM - Z1 CPAP
Transcend EZEX Travel CPAP
Transcend Auto Travel CPAP with EZEX
Transcend II Travel CPAP

HDM CPAP's
Transcend CPAP

Both brands can be purchased at many internet retailers or DME's. The HDM is available in a bundle that includes the Powershell® which is a unit that holds the CPAP and a battery. The HDM website has a deal right now that when you purchase the bundle they include a 2nd battery for free.

Disclaimer - I have no affiliation with any of these companies, nor have I used any of these products. I'm just searching for a smaller light weight unit to take into the wilderness. I was pleasantly surprised to find these. I love my ResMed AirSense 10 but I would rather not lug it with me in my pack and risk damaging it.

Thanks, Northwoodsman, I'll have to take a look. I've done OK without my CPAP for a couple of days on a trip, but 12 days I don't know. On the other hand, even a lightweight option for that long is probably going to add a lot of weight and dollars.

I'm not sure I'm savvy enough to figure out all the electronics either.

This is what you need...

Mini cpap

If this works like claimed it will make this guy a multi-millionaire. The only down sides that I can see are: 1) many people don't like the way that these fit (aka nose pillows), 2) how effective can it be pushing a high amount of air and can it sense back pressure, and 3) no humidity control. If your nose was effective at regulating humidity when you have a fan blowing through it, CPAP machines wouldn't have temperature controlled humidifiers. I would try it in a second if it was on the market already.

ECpizza - did you schedule your dinner in Boston yet?

I am not sure about the Airsense, but at 13Ah say you figure sleep for 6 hrs per night all you need is something with a capacity of 74Ah. But then you need a full charge on the battery the next day, therein lies the problem off grid. But you should be able to find a system that works for you. I wanted to try this about ten years ago and decided to try kayak Boundary Waters camping north of Ely, MN. My setup was simple and effective worked well but was super heavy. at 75 lbs. UGH. setup was as follows:

1. OPTIMA® gel closed cell battery YELLOWTOP® Starting & Deep-Cycle Battery, that I took out of my truck. Capacity: 75 Ah
2. (3) Brunton 3 panel Foldable portable Solar Panel 5 watt output. from REI.
3. DC travel adapter plug with battery post screw on connections + & -.
4. Resmed CPAP machine, w/ DC adapter for travel. I don't remember the model as it was a two machines ago. This machine was well below the 75 Ah of the battery.

That's it. The battery was 75 lbs. and more than a problem to portage and stow in a kayak, 17 ft sea kayak, but I was determined and did it. I spliced all 3 solar panels together in parallel and then connected them to the battery placing the whole thing in full sun all day while we explored. It ran my machine a full 8 hours each night as the battery would charge enough on the panels the next day to run the machine. it was pretty primitive and simple but worked well. I still have the setup and during times of bad weather I charge up the yellow top in the garage and keep it handy in case the power goes out. I actually used it on several occasions. No power, sleeping not an issue.