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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: xcvator on July 27, 2012, 09:01:14 PM

Title: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: xcvator on July 27, 2012, 09:01:14 PM
I have been looking for  a reasonable cost method of running my Resmed pump when camping and found the following site www.thecpapshop.com (http://www.thecpapshop.com) that will ship to Australia.
 I have just ordered ResMed DC-24 Converter for VPAP ™ Auto 25 and VPAP ™ ST Machines for au$130-00 delivered, the same item from http://www.cpapaustralia.com.au/shopping/resmed-dc2430v-converter-for-vpap-iii-st-a-part-22015.html (http://www.cpapaustralia.com.au/shopping/resmed-dc2430v-converter-for-vpap-iii-st-a-part-22015.html) is au$350-00 which seems to be a bit excessive to me
Running your cpap machine through the correct converter/adaptor shouldn't affect your warranty and is much more efficient ( about 95%) than an inverter (about 80%) 
I will update when the converter gets here
cheers Keith
Title: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: Fun Police on July 27, 2012, 09:07:16 PM
We just bought a 12V DC/DC converter for my wife's Resmed S8 for $99, from Resmed.  No inverter required.
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: xcvator on July 27, 2012, 09:16:21 PM
Yeah the s8 is a much later model than mine,which is about 2 years old I think, some other makers just plug straight into 12volt
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: jclures on July 28, 2012, 04:27:57 PM
I use a fisher & paykel, they recommended using a 300w  pure sine wave inverter, I have a 600w unit and never had a problem camping with it.
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: Bill on July 28, 2012, 06:20:31 PM
One of the couples we regularly camp with does the same as jc...
Bill and Morag
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: jr on July 29, 2012, 11:38:16 AM
I use an 300W inverter with S9 no problems
Did have an issue with it starting once just have to make sure had inverter switched off before connected to batteries and S9
Resmed do make a small 240 transformer which is OK just to run main unit. H5?? humidifier uses a fair bit of power
Theres a document on this somewhere on the Resmed site
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: jclures on July 29, 2012, 08:55:08 PM
I don’t use my humidifier when camping using my inverter, I haven’t found it to be to uncomfortable not using it.
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: jclures on August 03, 2012, 10:48:37 PM
BigJules, I see you started a thread then locked it, my advice if to think you need one go and see your local GP and get a referral to check you out.

My son in law has only just been tested and now is using a cpap, he can’t believe the difference,He is up early and not tired.

As for power, I have always got on ok, but I have often wondered if there should be the ability to use a generator for medical reasons.
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: xcvator on August 04, 2012, 12:06:44 PM
You can ask your quack for a certificate for your medical equipment (cpap) which then allows you to use a gene anywhere anytime including np's . If anybody then says you can't, you have medical evidence, and also anti discrimination laws to back you up.
If I go the gene way I will get the certificate sealed in a  plastic cover and securely attach it to the gene so it can't be lost but can be seen.
cheers Keith   
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: dazzler on August 04, 2012, 12:29:23 PM
Wouldnt the gen set keep you awake?
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: BigJules on August 04, 2012, 12:33:55 PM
BigJules, I see you started a thread then locked it, my advice if to think you need one go and see your local GP and get a referral to check you out.

My son in law has only just been tested and now is using a cpap, he can’t believe the difference,He is up early and not tired.

As for power, I have always got on ok, but I have often wondered if there should be the ability to use a generator for medical reasons.

I have previously had a sleep study completed, and on the basis on that I've had the full fuel injection system ported and polished about 11 years ago, a very unpleasant experience. Like a lot of folks, losing weight would go a long way towards reducing my apnea.

Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: xcvator on August 04, 2012, 12:34:11 PM
Wouldnt the gen set keep you awake?
Not if it's behind another camper  >:D
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: xcvator on August 04, 2012, 12:42:25 PM
BigJules loosing weight can help a lot, but not always,  a sleep study should be updated every year so you pretty over due to get it done mate  :police:
cheers Keith
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: BigJules on August 04, 2012, 12:44:26 PM
For sure, I did not mean to imply that everyone who snores is a fat b4stard, clearly they're not all b4stards  ;D. I do understand what you're saying. In fact I consulted an ENT specialist recently who recommended as much, but the prospect of similar surgery has dampened my enthusiasm.
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: xcvator on August 04, 2012, 12:49:06 PM
For sure, I did not mean to imply that everyone who snores is a fat b4stard, clearly they're not all b4stards  ;D. I do understand what you're saying. In fact I consulted an ENT specialist recently who recommended as much, but the prospect of similar surgery has dampened my enthusiasm.
Forget the surgery, success rate is below 40% got the cpap way, 90/95% success rate and painless except for the pocket
 
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: xcvator on August 04, 2012, 01:00:09 PM
In Victoria (can't speak for other states) I was very lucky, saw a very switched on sleep specialist because the average quack couldn't understand my study results  ??? He found I had 2 separate types of sleep apnea and referrred me to the Austin Hospital which registered me as on out patient so I then get ALL my studies, reviews, and equipment supplied FREE forever.  :cup:
For wiw may be worth some phone calls to specialists and major hospitals in other states as they may have similar programs, just don't advertise them 
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: dazzler on August 04, 2012, 02:16:02 PM
Not if it's behind another camper  >:D

 ;D  Good idea.  The punch to the head would assist with sleep  :cheers:
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: gv 2003 on August 05, 2012, 09:34:55 AM
I've  have cpap machine only had about 2 weeks .
try this link may help  http://www.sleepoz.org.au/index.php/sleep-disorder-fact-sheets (http://www.sleepoz.org.au/index.php/sleep-disorder-fact-sheets)
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: xcvator on August 25, 2012, 05:18:20 PM
Update for my converter. The delivery from the “cpap shop” was a bit slow, I think they forgot to send it for a week (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sad005.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
Seems to be ok, plugs straight into a cigaret lighter type socket, the plug itself is very solid and has an on/off switch with an illuminated  on light. The unit itself has a very small green led light that flashess when the power is on but the cpap pump hasn't been turned on, when the pump is turned on the led goes to a solid green light.
The whole unit is very compact, about the size of a stubbie holder and weighs about .5kg
The bit I really like is that it is portable,I can unplug the unit, stick it under my pillow in the camper for transport or take it out and plug it into any 12/24v dc power supply socket anywhere without any installation.Do you think I'm happy   (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-happy014.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
(http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae237/wacazac/cpapconverter.jpg)
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: jclures on August 25, 2012, 06:13:51 PM
Is your cpap a Resmed xcvator, I have a a Fisher & Paykel machine, I don't think they make a 12v adaptor for my machine.
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: barnray on August 25, 2012, 06:38:50 PM
You can ask your quack for a certificate for your medical equipment (cpap) which then allows you to use a gene anywhere anytime including np's . If anybody then says you can't, you have medical evidence, and also anti discrimination laws to back you up.
If I go the gene way I will get the certificate sealed in a  plastic cover and securely attach it to the gene so it can't be lost but can be seen.
cheers Keith
I have just been given permission by NP Director to use a generator in NP NSW. I have used the Medical Certs to explain to Rangers my needs and they have been very sympathetic, but I did find one Ranger very definite about no use for any reason. If you have a need you can apply to the Director by mail, my initial request was for refrigeration required for my insulin which has to be kept below 8deg but they have contacted my Doctor and upgrade the request(because I have a Cpap) and Granted me a 3 year Permit. Barnray
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: xcvator on August 25, 2012, 08:06:05 PM
I have just been given permission by NP Director to use a generator in NP NSW. I have used the Medical Certs to explain to Rangers my needs and they have been very sympathetic, but I did find one Ranger very definite about no use for any reason. If you have a need you can apply to the Director by mail, my initial request was for refrigeration required for my insulin which has to be kept below 8deg but they have contacted my Doctor and upgrade the request(because I have a Cpap) and Granted me a 3 year Permit. Barnray

Well done mate, and yes, there is always 1 little tin god where-ever you go (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-angry002.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
If that happened to me I think I would have started it up in front of him and asked wtf he was going to do about it (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-angry005.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: barnray on August 25, 2012, 08:23:25 PM
In general I have enough power overnight to run the Cpap and frig but if I have been traveling for a couple of 100ks with stops the batteries need some extra charge to keep them at peak so I will charge  with the gene until dark or till the charger is down to about 5 amps. The other side of things is solar is only good as the sunlight so the gene is the backup. I also run the gene in the back of the ute tub with it facing away from others to reduce the noise. I do find that the alternator will not give AGMs the full charge they need. Barnray
Title: Re: Sleep Apnea Patients
Post by: xcvator on August 25, 2012, 08:41:18 PM
I have 2x100a/h batteries, 100w/? solar panel and charging from my car while driving + 240v connection, which should be enough under normal conditions to run my gear forever.
BUT
should normal conditions not prevail why the hell should I be kicked out of a NP (my property)
because of a health issue that I can't physically do anything about except to run the gene. My snoring will cause more  disturbance to more people over a greater distance than the gene ever will