Guide for CPAP users
Disclaimer: If in doubt, check with your CPAP manufacturer or your medical equipment supplier. And test everything before you leave home. Battery OptionsWithout an area designated as Disability Camp this year, a battery-powered solution may be right for you. The typical CPAP unit without a humidifier draws around 25 watts, and a humidifier & heated tube increases that to around 80 watts. So, the first thing to consider when camping with a CPAP is to jettison the humidifier. Wisconsin in June tends to be hot and humid, so this may not pose a problem for you. Options are available from your CPAP manufacturer, and also using inverters and/or lithium-ion battery packs. How Much Battery Do I Need?Batteries are rated in amp-hours (Ah): for example, a 10Ah battery will supply 10 amps for one hour, or one amp for ten hours. So let's do some rough math:
How Do I Charge My Battery?There will be a central charging station and electric at Safety/First Aid you can carry your battery there daily for charging. If you do that, make sure to bring a battery charger! A 10-amp charger will top off one night's worth of use in about three hours. Solar charging is also an option, though you do need to take care to buy a large enough one. A 100-watt panel and a controller will, for about $150 and a little wiring, get you through both sunny and cloudy days. The little 10-watt panels sold for charging cellphones and the like will never keep up, even under optimal conditions. |