My husband and I both have SA and we will be driving team (coast to coast) again soon.  I was reading the manual for my machine and they said that the machine should not be used on 12 volt power while the engine is running.   Well that is a problem.  Would using a power inverter change things??  I know I should try to get my insurance to cover a machine that does the auto altitude because of traveling while using the machine.  But does anybody know of a machine that can handle out situation?  Thanks


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Diagnosed with moderate OSA on April 28, 2008 (had for many years undiagnosed)
Total hypopneas 122, AHI 36, AHI in REM 84, O2 as low as 78%.
Remstar Auto M-Series with C-Flex and humidifier, pressure set at 11cm
Resmed Swift Mirage II Nasal pillows

Go to the Respironics website, a google search should find that for you ; if it isn't on the literature that came w/your M Series Pro, and check out the specs and the recommendations for power alternatives.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Respironics has a good tech. service department if you call them.  Another option is to get a CPAP battery to run it off of.  The one I am going to get (for camping) is Batterygeek's  BG C-150 CPAP or BG C-222 (higher capacity) CPAP batteries.  These are made specifically for CPAPs, they can be charged directly from a cigarette lighter and they are very lightweight.

Vicki


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That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

KeystoneRebel wrote:

My husband and I both have SA and we will be driving team (coast to coast) again soon.  I was reading the manual for my machine and they said that the machine should not be used on 12 volt power while the engine is running.   Well that is a problem.  Would using a power inverter change things??  I know I should try to get my insurance to cover a machine that does the auto altitude because of traveling while using the machine.  But does anybody know of a machine that can handle out situation?  Thanks

I am sure the unit will work just fine while the engine is running, but you run the risk of power spikes (and machine damage), etc if the voltage regulator in your truck fails.  This sounds like another manufacturer "CYA" to me to protect against warranty claims, etc.  The 12 volt inputs are probably not regulated/protected very well so if you shoot 16 volts into the machine it could act wonky (or fry!).  Since there are so many different vehicles in existence with so many varied power systems, it is better for them to say "Don't do it" legally.  They could never test for every situation.

An inverter presents a whole new set of problems.  I have heard that some machine have issues with inverters.  I believe it is due to the non-sine wave nature of inverters, but I'm no power expert.

There are true sine wave inverters.  Google "inverters".

Respironics and Fisher Paykel machines and humidifiers all work fine with modified sine wave (common) inverters.  Most other brands will also work with common inverters.   One specific brand that has problems with inverters is ResMed.  

The older ResMed humidifiers aren't supposed to be used with any inverter, and most (all?) of their other humidifiers require full sine wave inverters.