Which 'CPAP Machine' is most recomended when camping ?
Submitted: Thursday, Jun 04, 2009 at 14:50
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Maîneÿ . . .
"ResMed S8 AutoSet II"
or
"Respironics REMstar Auto M Series"
Is there a better choice out there ?
(yes, Google is my friend, but she lacks your personality)
Maîneÿ . . .
Reply By: BenDiD - Thursday, Jun 04, 2009 at 15:20
Thursday, Jun 04, 2009 at 15:20
Mainey,
I have Fisher and Pakyell which I think is much better than the Respironics - its quieter, only has one power cord instead of 2 and the humidifier is easier to see if its full or empty. Note: both of the machines I tried are the "auto titrating" type so that they adjust the pressure continuously.
I haven't tries the Resmed but it looks similar to the Fisher and Pakyell.
My Fisher and Pakyell will get its first outing in June when I am heading to
the Dig Tree. I am going to run it off my dual battery - 100Ah Calcium battery - via a pure sine wave inverter.
Obviously I can't say how the different machines compare in the bush, but I know which one worked best at
home. Also the fisher and Pakyell is fairly compact and self contained.
I suspect they'll all draw a similar amount of current. I know they run all night and a fridge cycles on and of, but I can't believe they will draw anything like a fridge which draws a lot of current when the compressor comes on.
I hope that is some help. usual disclaimers apply.
cheers
Ben
AnswerID:
368396
Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Thursday, Jun 04, 2009 at 17:32
Thursday, Jun 04, 2009 at 17:32
I believe the Respironics draws just 1.5a so is reasonably battery friendly
Maîneÿ . . .
FollowupID:
635970
Reply By: Member - Gary J (NSW) - Thursday, Jun 04, 2009 at 15:33
Thursday, Jun 04, 2009 at 15:33
Hi Mainey,
I run an old (probably 4+ years) Resmed Autoset Spirit, but don't have the model number handy. It was top of the range at the time - quite big compared to what's on the market these days.
When run through my 600W NON pure sine wave inverter, there are no problems.
I can't vouch for other brands though.
AnswerID:
368399
Reply By: Andrew - Thursday, Jun 04, 2009 at 18:27
Thursday, Jun 04, 2009 at 18:27
I have being using a Fisher and Paykel for years. Runs off a Projecta 600 w inverter. Haven't figured out how to calculate the power it uses yet but remeber they run continuously. This means that they use lots of power. If you are using the humidifier you can save a bit by cutting the setting back, but only if you can tolerate the dryer air.
I was only getting 6hrs out of my small odyssey gel battery before the inverter low voltage warning strated waking me up. To give you an idea for comparison., the same battery would run my very old 39 litre Engel fridge for 16- 24 hours.
It runs all night without any hiccups on a full size battery or my deep cycle.
Don't run it off your start battery as it will kill it enough overnight so that you can't start the car the next day.
Its quiet enough to run inside the swag with me which means I don't have to worry about it getting wet, or mossies ( or other things)coming in
the gap in
the gap where the hose goes through the fly netting. It also stops people fiddling with it while you area asleep!
Its certainly worth the trouble to get a good nights sleep. don't leave
home without it.
regards
A
AnswerID:
368420
Reply By: Member - Ian R1 (QLD) - Friday, Jun 05, 2009 at 21:23
Friday, Jun 05, 2009 at 21:23
Re the noise issue raised the snorers in the
camp next door are much worse than any CPAP noise which are virtually without sound.
Have a Respironics REMstar Auto M which has been to caravaning, tenting to the Cape and just back from 3 weeks in Central Oz in a camper. I only take the unit without the humidifier for compactness and the two power leads - one 240v and the 12v with a Resmed Activa mask. When no mains power available I have a long lead running from the vehicle to the point where power is required and use the 12v unit lead which has a cigarette type adaptor. The REMstar is very compact (have had a Resmed S8 Autoset) and in my view much quieter. The REMstar will mains power will work over a high range of currents - have been overseas where some voltages are 110v. They draw very little current - the vehicle runs the Engel at the same time thru dual battery setup.
AnswerID:
368634
Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Monday, Jun 08, 2009 at 10:10
Monday, Jun 08, 2009 at 10:10
Ian,
the Respironics REMstar is my choice ..BUT.. when I looked at it I could not find any 'air intake' at the back, side, front or top of the unit, however I did notice some small holes UNDER the unit, are these the air inlets ??
That made me think it would be something that had to be sat on a solid, stable and clean surface, or you would be breathing the red dust etc that the unit was sitting in?
Is this the correct assumption or have I missed something ??
Maîneÿ . . .
FollowupID:
636410
Reply By: Member - Gavan F (WA) - Friday, Jun 05, 2009 at 23:51
Friday, Jun 05, 2009 at 23:51
G'day Mainey
I have 2 F & P machines . I brought a second hand unit from my sleep centre for $150 ,which I take camping and caravaning .I have used it in my swag on beaches, in our tent and in the caravan going around Australia for 3 months.
I have a dual Bat in the car and a bat in the c/van also run fridges . If you run your car fridge as a freezer then turn it off over night (It only drop's -11 to -9).
If you don't run the Humidifier but just have water in the container it will operate as a water pass over and provide some Humidification ,while saving power . You should only be drawing about 1 Amp running this way.
You should consider an extra hose for flexibility of where you place it. And remember an extension cord to run from your inverter .If you are camping where it is cold you should wrap up the hose to keep it warm.
Check out wwwcpaptalk.com for heaps more info.
It has only enhanced my camping experience as now I don't have to worry about my Snoring and I feel more alive after a proper nights sleep .
AnswerID:
368662
Reply By: Maîneÿ . . .- Saturday, Jun 13, 2009 at 12:35
Saturday, Jun 13, 2009 at 12:35
I've been using a rented Respironics "REMstarPro" M Series for a few days as a
test machine and I'm now a convert.
It forces no preasure at all against you when you breathe out, unlike the elcheapo (Sullivan) model I was tested with last month, where I did have a constant preasure of air coming at me all night.
I believe another benefit is the Respironics machine can be turned on at the 240v switch on the wall (or inverter) however the remstar won't start 'pumping' untill the 'nosepiece' (mask) is in firmly in place.
Maîneÿ . . .
AnswerID:
369790
Reply By: Maîneÿ . . .- Saturday, Jun 20, 2009 at 08:32
Saturday, Jun 20, 2009 at 08:32
Picked up my new Respironics REMstarPro M Series with C-Flex and heated humidifier yesterday and used it last night, virtually silent.
It has one power cord supplied but can be used on both 12v and 240v (with appropriate 12v cord) or on 240v from the Inverter.
Draws 3 Amp (max) on 12v which is a lot compared to the smaller unit I tested first with a claimed 1 Amp draw (may have been on 240v or with-out humidifier?)
It's small physical size (19cm x 12cm x 8cm) allows it to be stored almost anywhere when camping as it's square design and has no protrusions to break or bend.
Love the starting method whereby you turn it on but it does not start to work till it feels you start to breathe through the mask, there is no air pressure felt at all, unlike the full-on constant pressure of the less expensive model I had tested earlier.
A big thank you to those who posted and Emailed me with relevant information :-)
Image Could Not Be FoundMaîneÿ . . .
AnswerID:
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