If you are suffering from sleep apnea, and is in the habit of using a cpap machine, your physician probably might have told you that you should never sleep without it. Operating a cpap machine at home is definitely very easy, but what about carrying them when you travel?
If you’re a person who enjoys sailing, camping or must travel on business trips, you certainly might have realized the need for an alternative source of backup electrical power for your cpap therapy.
A battery backup system is one of the most important aspects when it comes to traveling with your cpap machine. Without a battery backup system it might be highly risky for patients who suffer from acute sleep apnea and cannot restrain from the therapy even for a short while.
Thanks to technology, cpap machines today come with portability options such that you can carry it wherever you go and manufacturers have seen to it that they cater your travel needs and supply a battery system with which you do not need a specialized electrical socket to plug in your machine. A battery backup system is also important while you are at home and experience an event of a power failure.
How Do I Set Up A Battery Backup System?
If you are in the attempt of setting up a cpap with battery backup system, the first thing that you need to find out is that if your machine is equipped with a 12-volt system. The machine surely will show you an inlet into which you can plug 12 V adapter. If you are not sure about your machine, the best way is to check the manual or call customer support and ask them about it.
If your machine is able to run on a 12 V power, you need to order an adapter from your company manufacturer. If you are traveling by car, you can plug the other end of the adapter to the cigarette lighter receptacle in your car.
However, if you’re planning to use the adapter while you are camping, you might need a battery charger, a battery clip adapter and a deep cycle battery.
How Much Will A Battery Set Up System Cost Me?
A deep cycle battery might cost you from $50 to $450 in a retail outlet. This also depends upon the size and type of the battery you want. A battery clip adapter might cost you around $5 and a battery charger might cost you around $50.
This basic setup will run on your machine for 3 to 4 days with eight hours of backup. You can also call your health insurance provider and inquire if they might assist you in buying this battery backup system. Having a battery backup system will serve you for a minimum 7 years depending on the number of hours used and the way the battery is handled.
Here Are Some Basic Information About The Different Types Of Batteries That You Might Find In The Market:
Gel Batteries: these are batteries used by DME companies for power backup, electrical wheelchairs and other such applications. This type of battery is highly recommended as it expects low-maintenance and only need a normal simple dusting. Its self discharge rate is extremely low and can hold up to 50% of charge even after months of no usage. The best thing about this type of battery is that there are high chances that your health insurance provider may help you buy this type of battery.
Li-ion Batteries: if you want a highly power packed battery system then this is the type that you must opt for. These batteries are readily available and come with a weight of 4lbs and come in a size of a book. These batteries are highly popular as they recharge quickly and do not go through any memory effect. You can expect a memory effect when you discharge the battery halfway and then recharge it.
AGM Batteries: these batteries are totally designed for military aircraft purposes and have an advantage of not releasing gases or acid spills if moved or tripped over. This is a great battery if you need to use it indoors and has the same advantages as that of the gel battery. AGM batteries are readily available in recreational vehicles stores, Marine stores and battery distributors.
Flooded Batteries: these are the type of batteries that you would like to use in your car and look forward to them because they have extremely low maintenance. Flooded batteries come in two types – deep cycle batteries and starting batteries. The deep cycle batteries are usually used for recreational vehicles and the starting battery is the one that you use in your car. A deep cycle battery is highly recommended as the most important battery backup for your cpap machine.
With a battery backup system it has become extremely easy to take your cpap machine wherever you go. Now, patients suffering from sleep apnea need not worry at all while they travel because they can continue their therapy while they travel.
