I paid about $375 for it.  I seriously doubt that insurance would pay for it.  

This battery is small, relatively light, and can be carried onto airplanes.  I also use it instead of a power brick when I use my auto M.

Well, I won't be getting that one either. I'll just settle for something to get me through a few hours. If the power is gone longer than that , I'll just go also.  Dad lost his power for 5 hours the other day during a storm, so I really need something for when I visit.  Virginia


_________________
Resmed elite , 17, mirage quattro ff . 25 + years of untreated OSA

I live in northern Virginia and 4 to 12 hour outages are pretty common.  We had a 3 day power outage a few years ago after a hurricane came inland.  We were lucky, parts of nearby Maryland were out of power for over a week.  My lithium ion battery is a very elegant solution for the 4 to 12 hour outages.  

I have an RV battery that will work great for the 3 day outages (it should last a week).  The charger I have for the RV battery is only 4 amps, it is designed to keep a battery maintained, but it won't will be very useful to charge the battery if it is significantly discharged.

K.  u all are confusing me (am new to this anyway!).

With full face mask flexfit 431
using RemStar Pro M CPAP w/ heated humidifier

AND being slightly on the hysterical personality type   and definitely NOT tech oriented.  AND living on a very low (867 mo) income...

I will feel (and sleep) much better w/a battery back up!  But can't find online any that u are speaking of...except for the one that costs $400.xx

Are there companies/generics besides APC?  (and why would I need 6 -8 outlets? my puter and cpap are not in same room)

Suggestions, ideas, links?


_________________
Oldster
wheel chair person
4 x cancer survivor
If in doubt, take a nap!
***
Started CPAP 5.2.08
Full face Flexfit 431
RemStar Pro M w/heated humidifier

There are several companies that make UPS's besides APC, one of them is Belkin.  The number of outlets does not matter.  A standard UPS will not run your CPAP very long; and don't even bother plugging you humidifier into the UPS.

A standard $39 UPS will work, but it will also most likely beep incessantly while the power is out.


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RemStar Pro M-Series with C-Flex jamming 10 cm H20 down my piehole And finally getting a good night's sleep...every night!!!!

Bearded One wrote:

There are several companies that make UPS's besides APC, one of them is Belkin.  The number of outlets does not matter.  A standard UPS will not run your CPAP very long; and don't even bother plugging you humidifier into the UPS.

So what will???


_________________
Oldster
wheel chair person
4 x cancer survivor
If in doubt, take a nap!
***
Started CPAP 5.2.08
Full face Flexfit 431
RemStar Pro M w/heated humidifier

UPS is a great idea!

A note about masks: I asked the CPAP retailer about the risks of a power outage, and he said that with the masks they sell, all of them have the exhalation port that would prevent suffocation.  However, he cautioned me that some masks out there don't have the port as part of the mask, and it is possible, in theory, to put together a unit that would not have an exhalation port.  That would be bad. :<

I found this at Office Depot:  http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/986336/ES-650VA-Battery-Backup-BE650G-Watt/


Would this keep my maching operating for hours during a black out?  What about the Humidifier???  

I think the price is good as it includes free delivery...


_________________
Oldster
wheel chair person
4 x cancer survivor
If in doubt, take a nap!
***
Started CPAP 5.2.08
Full face Flexfit 431
RemStar Pro M w/heated humidifier

These home UPS's are designed to keep a system operating long enough to close files and shut everything down gracefully; they are not designed to operate more than several minutes.  

My guess that that it may power a CPAP and humidifier up to about a half hour.  It may may power a CPAP by itself for an hour or maybe up to an hour and a half.

There is a runtime chart for the APC BE650G UPS at http://apc.com/products/runtime_for_extendedruntime.cfm?upsfamily=21  that will help estimate how long that UPS will operate.  A CPAP and humidifier may draw an average of about 100 watts.

Pungo wrote:

he said that with the masks they sell, all of them have the exhalation port that would prevent suffocation.  However, he cautioned me that some masks out there don't have the port as part of the mask, and it is possible, in theory, to put together a unit that would not have an exhalation port.

99% have an anti-asphyxiation port.   If you are concerned, this afternoon put on your mask with your unit powered off...and test it out.

From the FlexFit documentation:

...However, when the CPAP/BI machine is not operating, enough fresh air will not be provided through the mask, and exhaled air may be rebreathed.  Rebreathing of exhaled air for longer than several minutes can in some circumstances, lead to suffocation.

This is enough for ME to want the security of some type of power back up!
(Still trying to decide what would work best that is in my price range!)


_________________
Oldster
wheel chair person
4 x cancer survivor
If in doubt, take a nap!
***
Started CPAP 5.2.08
Full face Flexfit 431
RemStar Pro M w/heated humidifier

spondee wrote:

This is enough for ME to want the security of some type of power back up!

Much like driving an old car with no seat belts, it would be enough for ME to switch to a modern mask with modern safety features.    Seriously though, I doubt that if the power goes off, you would continue to sleep.  When the air stops, you will wake up...Fast!  And remove your mask.

To answer your actual question...it's all about time.   The entry level UPS units are designed to give a computer enough battery time so you can shut them down properly, not so you can continue to use them during an outage.   The UPS manufactures have calculators on their websites that will give you approximate run-time based on wattage.

Basically...the larger and more expensive the unit, the longer the runtime.  Just like they say..."Time is Money"!  If you really want to go nuts a standby generator would let you sleep indefinitely, keep your food frozen and home heated!

BarryKaraoke wrote:

spondee wrote:

This is enough for ME to want the security of some type of power back up!

If you really want to go nuts a standby generator would let you sleep indefinitely, keep your food frozen and home heated!

At this point in time, that might not be such a crazy idea.  My electric wheelchair needs to be charged regularly, my hospital bed is electric (It has manual controls, but they are really difficult), and now the CPAP.

hmmm, perhaps I'll call my utility company...


_________________
Oldster
wheel chair person
4 x cancer survivor
If in doubt, take a nap!
***
Started CPAP 5.2.08
Full face Flexfit 431
RemStar Pro M w/heated humidifier

spondee wrote:

hmmm, perhaps I'll call my utility company...

You also might ask them if you could get put on the "fix me first" list for power outages.  I don't remember what it is called, but I know they have such a list so that those with medical need can get back "up & running".  It might only be for lifesaving equipment though...(iron lungs, respirators, etc).