(Part 3) Top products from r/CPAP

From one of my posts in /r/vandwellers
https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/6flmy4/going_solar/dijcji9/?context=3

I'm going to try to make this easy for you. Here is a setup that will provide you with some basic solar power. Don't expect to run your laptop 24/7 , but this will give you plenty of juice to get a few creature comforts in place and you'd probably be able to keep a business class laptop going all day with it.

• 100w Solar panel, charge controller $167: https://www.amazon.com/HQST-Polycrystalline-Display-Charge-Controller/dp/B01GVVE2WI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496765420&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=solar+panel+kit&psc=1
  
• small battery box $13: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000B12YQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  
• 35AH sealed battery to fit in box $64: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K8E0WAG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  
• Power inverter with USB ports $37: https://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-Power-Inverter-Adapter-Charging/dp/B00UFERZKO/ref=pd_sim_86_2?
  
• solar cable connectors $8: https://www.amazon.com/Sun-YOBA-Pairs-Female-Connectors/dp/B00A8TRKJW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1496763777&sr=8-3&keywords=mc4+connector
  
• 100ft of cable to use as needed $30: https://www.amazon.com/Paradise-GL22132-landscape-lighting-protected/dp/B00378K8XG/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1496763822&sr=8-6&keywords=low%2Bvoltage%2Bcable&th=1
  
  Total cost is under $400
  
  
• Find a conveniently hidden and inconspicuous place to hide the battery and charge controller. Mount them both securely. Make sure you still have access to this space as needed to monitor power.
  
• Run a line from the battery terminals to the battery ports on the charge controller.
  
• Mount the solar panel to the roof using the provided brackets. Make sure you seal that shit up to avoid springing leaks. Run the power from the solar panel to your inverter and hook up the cable to the solar ports on the charge controller. Seal that shit too.
  
• Mount the power inverter wherever you find it convenient. Run a line to the charge controller and mount it to the load ports.
  
  Try to avoid leaving exposed metal wiring at your connections and make sure you have all the positives and negatives matched up and you now have solar power.
  
  When putting this together, I opted for decent starter solar panel, charge controller, and battery. I skipped details such as multiple outlets, custom lighting, and vent fans because that will add more complication as you're wiring multiple things. You could always upgrade to those later.
  
  Down the road, depending on your needs you may want to upgrade to a 100AH battery (it's much larger and heavier so keep that in mind), add a 2-3 more of the 100W solar panels, and add a vent fan and LED lighting.
  
  Keep in mind that heating, cooling, and refrigeration will not be viable with this setup. To run a good fridge/freezer setup like this one, you'd need probably 200AH of storage and 300W of solar panels to be safe.
  
  

Deep clean: 3 parts h20, 1 part white vinegar. Submerge and soak for 1 hour. Rinse and allow to air dry.
To help with the smell, do dawn.and warm water soak.
If you're looking for the super duper borderline OCD clean, try control iii solution, available on Amazon...

Control III Concentrate Disinfectant 16 oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007AZ37VC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_s7PEzbFNKSHXB

I've been at it since 2001, and I rarely clean anything.

I keep my humidifier tank rinsed out and replace it when it looks like it needs to be replaced. Every couple of years.

I put an intake filter on the back of the machine. I buy sheets of fine filter foam and cut to size, replace when they get dusty and a quick rinse doesn't seem to do anything.

I put an inline filter between the hose and mask. I change it when it gets gray. Usually about a month, but it depends on whether it's dusty in the room, or windows are open, or its pollen season.

The hose I'll rinse out occasionally, replace every few years, or if it gets cracks or holes in it (cats!).

I use wipes to wipe off the oil around the nasal prongs. I replace the prongs when they stop sealing even after washing with a little soap and water.

edit: added links

Unless you're living in a really bad environment, it takes a lot less cleaning and replacement is a lot less strict than the medical supply companies want you to think--they want to put you on a set-it-and-forget-it replacement schedule, particularly if your insurance company picks up all the costs.

Mine doesn't, I have a high deductible which I haven't met in years, so I just take care of my supplies myself. The best thing I did for my sleep apnea was to lose weight. I still need the machine but it's not nearly as dire as when I first started out.

Good luck to you!

this is what i use in the lab - best chinstrap out there! incase you want a 3rd alternative. i’m glad you solved it :)

You could pick up some spotlight gels and tape red or amber over the LCD to give it less blue light and glare I would think. Or just tape over the LCD entirely. More hardcore nerd version (which I could see myself doing if I had this unit) would be taking the unit apart and stepping down the voltage on the backlight, but that's not for the faint of heart obviously. :)

I have this hose cover, it's wonderful.

Mask Liners made a HUGE difference for me. If you haven't tried them, please give them a shot.

https://amzn.com/B00AC4GDH8

If they improve for you, then you may experiment with lower cost solutions like a cutup T-Shirt or something.

The condensation is something I've not experienced, but have you tried insulation around the hose? https://amzn.com/B006N8MBHI I know you said you tried everything, but wanted to ask.

I had the same issue, ordered this

InteVision Four Position Support Pillow (20.5" x 8" x 4.5") with 400 Thread Count, 100% Egyptian Cotton Cover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AWJC340/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_.B4YzbX0J7D1B

It's an iec320 c7 cord. Super common. Here is one for a US outlet, but you can get them for anything.

SF Cable, 6ft 18 AWG 2-Slot Non-Polarized Power Cord (IEC320 C7 to NEMA 1-15P) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006VZIEZQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_jw2PDbS09H6FN

well, here's one battery with almost twice the capacity:

https://smile.amazon.com/12V-32Ah-Wheelchair-Scooter-Battery/dp/B00CO7DFEU/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1496899045&sr=1-1&keywords=scooter+battery

Ayr Gel is what you're looking for. It works great. I had the same problem in the beginning and this stuff helped immensely. Eventually I didn't need it anymore, but I still have it around.

The IV pole was not quite $30 and the Snuggle Hose is $13.95 plus shipping. So $45ish.

Try using self-adhesive wrap instead of tape. Just wrap it around your head making a few passes over your mouth.

Link:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JCIGE6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Anti Snoring Chin Straps,Ajustable Stop Snoring Solution Snore Reduction Sleep Aids,Anti Snoring Devices Snore Stopper Chin Straps for Men Women Snoring Sleeping Mouth Breathers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZB323DL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_01.0DbDRA19Y2

Lanolin.

Buy it on amazon or wherever. You use a small layer of it on the irritated parts of your nose before you put the mask on and it creates a protective barrier to keep it from getting irritated. Its used most commonly for breast feeding moms and irritation, you can imagine how bad that must get, so its perfect for the same reason for cpap users.

Life changing one you try it for cpap users with this sensitivity.

Here's a link https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011EB814

I had some really sucky camping nights with a shitty all in one battery jumper thingee. Don't get those. I cannot sleep without my CPAP machine so when it died at 1 a.m. I woke up didn't sleep the rest of the night. The whole trip was shit. Next camping trip I was better prepared because no sleep while camping is a surefire way to get everyone mad at you for being so crabby.

Shopping list:

Deep cycle battery (labeled as electric scooter, marine, avail at Walmart)

Battery box (Walmart)

Battery Tender 12 Volt Junior Automatic Battery Charger https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITK8S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_N-ApDb7T085YM

Battery Tender 081-0069-6 Ring Terminal Harness with Black Fused 2-Pin Quick Disconnect Plug https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NCOKZQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_mbBpDb5MNGQ4V

Battery Tender Black 081-0069-8 Female Cigarette Adaptor for Quick Disconnect https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041CDPQO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0.ApDbYDKVCY1


Pick up a 12v power cord from an online cpap supplier. Check in the manual for your machine for the part number. My manual also told me not to run the humidifier while using this power cord, so check your manual for any limitations. I have bought several over the years (I lose things) and the generic version they try to sell you is always more expensive than the actual part the manufacturer makes.

Put the battery in the box for safety and easy containment.

Charge up the battery with the charger a few days before camping. It does it with a trickle charger so it's not a quick process. Disconnect, leave the charger at home, or bring with you if you're doing an extended trip and need to recharge during. I camp about 4 to 5 days max and have not had any trouble losing power and needing to recharge in this time frame. I do unplug my machine from the battery during the day while camping so that there is no power pull at all.

Hook up ring terminal. Plug in the cord with female 12v. Hang the 12v cord outside of the box for ease-of-use. Plug machine with shiny new power cord in. Done.

Make sure to tell the kids not to drain your battery charging their devices! The little buggers almost always try that with mine. (I don't think it would actually drain the battery or anything. We camp to get away from electronics even though the kids disagree and sneakily try to get a charge in.)