OnaQuest
Raleigh, NC
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Joined: 01/15/2006
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Wow!! The requirements are changing. First was the CPAP, now a furnace and an A/C. You need 2 to 4 deep cycle batteries and at least a 2K generator. Good luck.. lou
You did, however, get some good suggestions on powering the CPAP
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lanerd
Ridgecrest, CA
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I've used my cpap connected directly to the 12v system on my previous TT that had dual 6v batteries. When boondocking, we always had our EU2000i Honda genset to recharge the batteries the next day due to not the cpap amp draw, but the furnace, coffee pot, microwave, blender, etc. I don't think the cpap made much difference in the batteries one way or the other as it draws such low wattage. All other AC devices tho are another thing altogether. Each of the above will draw down a set of batteries very quickly if not careful.
Yes, you definitely need a genset. To run a 13.5 BTU air conditioner, you'll probably will require more than a 2000 watt getset...a 3000 will do it for one AC, but not much else at the same time. Due to the size and weight of gensets, a lot of people go with dual EU2000i units hooked together. They weigh only about 50 lbs ea and are very small and therefore easily handled by just about anyone.
Hope this helps
Ron
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Clay L
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
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I have a CPAP machine - a Respironics Remstar Pro. The blower and circuitry will run on 12 vdc but the humidifier requires ac voltage. According to technical customer service the machine will run on a 300 watt modified sine wave inverter.
The blower and associated circuitry requires 3 amps at 12.6 volts.
For eight hours of use that would be 3 X 8 = 24 amp hours.
The humidifier requires 170 watts. Amps = watts/volts. 170/12.6 = 13.5 amps. Eight hours of use would = 13.5 x 8 = 108 amp hours. You might want to increase that by ten percent or so to allow for the inverter efficiency. 1.1 x 108 = 119 amp hours.
Total amp hours for eight hours use would be 119 + 24 = 143 amp hours.
You should be able to calculate the time it will operate if you know the amp hour capacity of your battery.
You don't want to use more than about half of the capacity if you want the maximum number of recharge cycles from the battery.
EDIT: Corrected the current used with info from Respironics customer service.
* This post was
edited 07/03/08 10:08am by Clay L *
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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A pair of Six Volt U-220 batteries is 232 amp hours, tha'ts 116 usable amps
or 12 times that watts (To be safe figure 1200 watts (1392 to be exact)
Divide 1200 by the needs of your device if running of 12 volts direct
If running off an inverter figure 1100 watts total power so again divide 1100 by needs of machine.
Of course you need to take off for other loads in the RV but those may be minor.
If you are using smaller batteries (IE: 83 amp hours) You WILL run out of power. (There are many threads on this subject already)
You might try doubling up on batteries but I've not remembered the exact power needs of the machine.
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Camping Hoosiers
Southern Indiana
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I'm not even close to a electricity / electronics expert however can share my personal experience. I found that trying to run my CPAP off of an inverter did tend to drain my dual six volt batteries pretty quickly. However, when I switched over to running it directly from 12 volts my battery life (between charges) improved significantly. Now days I carry a single Honda 2000 for charging batteries and it will actually run everything but the a/c. As long as the nights are not too hot, I don't use the a/c anyway. I do have some 12 volt fans to help it feel cooler.
Have fun!
Jeff
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Ivylog
Blairsville, Ga. USA
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You will need a 3000 watts generator to start your AC when it is hot.
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smkettner
Southern California
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I have used the battery in the back of the pickup charging from the 7 pin connector. It worked well for me when touring for 3+ hours a day. I had two batteries and I would swap them each day. The system will not really fully charge your battery but it will extend your stay by 25 to 50% and that is all I needed. In your case a small generator is probably better. And a medium to large generator if you want air conditioning. Honda 3000 or a pair of 2000s would work great.
You need to make sure you have a good multistage converter charging at 40+ amps and 14.2+ volts for fast recharging.
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mac01
Berryton, Kansas
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Thanks everyone you've been a big help as always! I found a 4000w generator locally (price is right) that will work, so I'll pick it up tonight on the way home. It's a little on the big side for camping, but the wife reminded of last winters ice storm. Some people lost power for a week or more. This one will provide us some protection at home as well.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Smallest to power A/C 2400 to 3000 watts,, and it may be iffy depending on your A/C
However. you might consider a Honda 1000 or Yahama 1200 and JUST power the converter that charges your battery
Those generators are so noisy that you might not know they are running unless you stick your hand down by the muffler and feel the exhaust
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lanerd
Ridgecrest, CA
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mac01 wrote:Thanks everyone you've been a big help as always! I found a 4000w generator locally (price is right) that will work, so I'll pick it up tonight on the way home. It's a little on the big side for camping, but the wife reminded of last winters ice storm. Some people lost power for a week or more. This one will provide us some protection at home as well.
Ok, I now respectfully request that you do a search on the type and size of generator you are looking at. A 4000W contractor's genset will be putting out so much noise that you'll have to set it in your neighbor's camp site so that you can carry on a conversation in yours......not to mention that there's a very good chance that your neighbor just might not be too happy with you.
Ron
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