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  • new solar user

    I am pulling up roots and heading west and have some questions about how to power my c-pap machine all/every night and recharge all day. How do I determine wattage needed and what type of equipment do I need. It can operate in DC mode if that will help. thanks

  • #2
    hi and welcome
    Someone here has that exact same problem and will be along to help.
    NABCEP certified Technical Sales Professional

    [URL="http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?5334-Solar-Off-Grid-Battery-Design"]http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...Battery-Design[/URL]

    [URL]http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html[/URL] (Voltage drop Calculator among others)

    [URL="http://www.gaisma.com"]www.gaisma.com[/URL]

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    • #3
      here's a thread about CPAP
      http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...highlight=cpap

      What I do for 1 overnight, is I have a automotive battery jumper pack, that has a 12V outlet, and 2x the watt hour capacity I need for 1 night.

      I have a couple posts in that thread that cover what I did

      Mike
      Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
      || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
      || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

      solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
      gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

      Comment


      • #4
        overnight

        I am also considering running a fan with the c-pap machine. How do I calculate the wattage of solar panels. If that is an equipment list I'd appreciate it written in a more understandable format as I rode the little bus.

        thank you, Paul

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by pzed View Post
          I am also considering running a fan with the c-pap machine. How do I calculate the wattage of solar panels. If that is an equipment list I'd appreciate it written in a more understandable format as I rode the little bus. thank you, Paul
          1) get a Kill-a-watt meter, plug in your fan and cpap, and let it record data for a week. That will give you a good 7 day recording of the power used/needed. Record from Noon <day1> till Noon <day 7>.
          Write down the Watt Hours Divide by 7 = WH needed for 1 day.

          Give us that daily number, and then we can calculate the battery and inverter needed.

          Unless storms take out your power on sunny days, PV won't help a lot, a regular battery charger is better.
          Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
          || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
          || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

          solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
          gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

          Comment


          • #6
            PV

            Explain PV. Also, where would I get a killawatt meter and are they expensive? Also isn't DC power created by solar panels? Why would I need an inverter - my c-pap is AC or DC with a different cord and I believe I can purchase a DC powered fan?

            thanks
            Last edited by pzed; 03-24-2012, 12:03 PM. Reason: new question

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            • #7
              Originally posted by pzed View Post
              Explain PV. Also, where would I get a killawatt meter and are they expensive?
              PV means a solar panel etc

              A Killawatt can be found on line or at any big box store I expect - I just saw 16$ on the net
              [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

              Comment


              • #8
                another question please

                Originally posted by pzed View Post
                Explain PV. Also, where would I get a killawatt meter and are they expensive? Also isn't DC power created by solar panels? Why would I need an inverter - my c-pap is AC or DC with a different cord and I believe I can purchase a DC powered fan?

                thanks

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by pzed View Post
                  Explain PV. Also, where would I get a killawatt meter and are they expensive? Also isn't DC power created by solar panels? Why would I need an inverter - my c-pap is AC or DC with a different cord and I believe I can purchase a DC powered fan?
                  thanks
                  PV = Photo Voltaic solar panel. (not a thermal heating solar panel)

                  Kill-a-watt meter
                  http://www.amazon.com/P3-Internation.../dp/B00009MDBU

                  You will have to research for yourself, if you obtain better efficiency, or better performance, with a DC or AC fan. YOU need to measure the draw both ways, and decide what You want.
                  Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
                  || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
                  || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

                  solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
                  gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

                  Comment

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