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Introduction - truckerdad57
#11
RE: Introduction - truckerdad57
your perspective and input as a trucker and as a tester will surely be valuable. their loss is our gain!
هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه  هههههه
Tongue Suck Technique for prevention of mouth breathing:
  • Place your tongue behind your front teeth on the roof of your mouth
  • let your tongue fill the space between the upper molars
  • gently suck to form a light vacuum

Practising during the day can help you to keep it at night

هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه هههههه  هههههه
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#12
RE: Introduction - truckerdad57
(02-08-2015, 03:43 PM)truckerdad57 Wrote: It was suggested that I post an introduction thread as I am new to this forum.

I am a long haul truck driver who has been on CPAP since 2002. I am the co coordinator of a support group for truck drivers Truckers for a Cause. (as a new user I can't put a link to our site in but google).

I've been an active member and moderator of the old American Sleep Apnea forums until they went to a Facebook based platform (see other thread).

I'll try to be as helpful as I can with questions from truck drivers or others dealing with DOT medical cards as it relates to sleep apnea.

Feel free to e-mail me if there is a thread on trucking related issues no one else has chimed in on.

I'll also try to be as helpful with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADAA) questions about reasonable accommodations for OSA in employment as I have had to learn more than I wanted about the EEOC and its complaint and enforcement process.

I'll also try to be as helpful as I can with questions about 12-V power supplies and invertors for running CPAP on batteries.

Last I've been involved with "intentional abuse" testing of cpap in sleeper berth equipped trucks for years. I take CPAP out and see how long it takes me to break them in the truck. Therefore I've got about any CPAP on the market in my "collection". I'll try to post on comparison questions from that perspective.

I'm new to these forum and hope to find a new online home after the old ASAA forums went a direction I was not at all comfortable with.

Hope this helps...

Bob Stanton (AKA truckerdad57)

Welcome~
I've been here just about a month now and love it here! I'm sure you will too!

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#13
RE: Introduction - truckerdad57
(02-09-2015, 08:35 AM)OpalRose Wrote: truckerdad57,
Welcome Aboard! I'm sure this will become your second home.
Looking forward to hearing more infomation on the subject of battery backup for CPAP machine. Like what is suggested to power your CPAP for a day if power would go out. Not necessarily for travel, but just home use. Can you tell I'm paranoid about going without my CPAP, although I'm sure I would survive a night.
Coffee

Welcome Trucker!

Opal has the same question I do, what about when power goes out. Where I live that happens often! We have a generator but unless hubby is home to hook it up I'm SOL. He drives OTR so guess when the power goes out! I have slept a night without my machine but I was so congested I couldn't breathe and the guy that did my sleep testing back in the day assured me I'd be ok. I was but don't want to chance it again. I probably should continue reading and see if you already answered Opal. Smile
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#14
RE: Introduction - truckerdad57
Hi truckerdad57,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Much success to you as you continue your CPAP therapy.
trish6hundred
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#15
RE: Introduction - truckerdad57
(02-08-2015, 08:00 PM)Sleeprider Wrote: Welcome. I've run across a lot of questions from people seeking relatively lightweight battery power for CPAP machines, and am curious what you've found effective. The Philips Respironics models seem to work well with 12 volt LiIon battery supplies like the PowerAdd Pilot Pro 32000 mAh multivoltage batteries. I'm wondering if you've found good options for battery operation of XPAP units where AC power is not available.

Battery dependabilty is an issue, and while PR units run well on 12 volts, the Resmed units require 24 volts and are not so easy to adapt. Thanks for joining and bringing your trucking perspective and expertise to the forums.

The first question I start with on battery cpap use is can you survive without heated humidification? If you use pass over humidification with nasal irrigation setting up a battery power supply is do able.

If you need heated humidification you realistically need a generator or some huge heavy-duty deep cycle rv marine batteries.

Next is can you afford one of the newer portable battery cpap like Transcend or Z1. They were designed for minimal battery drain and simplify many issues. I've got a transcend as a backup. I can throw the machine with 16 hr battery into a case smaller than the case for a home cpap without a battery.

Sorry I don't have any experience with the specific battery pack you mentioned.
(Just a truck driver with sleep apnea )
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#16
RE: Introduction - truckerdad57
(02-09-2015, 09:00 AM)justMongo Wrote: Welcome. We have some other long haul drivers on the forum. I'm sure you can be helpful to them and many others.
Large tractors have big batteries; and are 24 Volt -- correct?
So, power in the the sleeper berth isn't an issue.
And, I assume you pull your humidifier tank before you hit the road.

Trucks are 12v. Even with huge batteries with heated humidification it's more than they can handle. My truck has an Apu or auxiliary generator for power and hack when parked.

HAVE to have good heated humidification in the truck. Ambient rh get to 4-6% That's desert type dry. I get nasty nose bleeds and it feels like someone reamed my nose with a bottle brush.

Taking good care of your sinuses important for anyone on cpap. It's double important for truckers.
(Just a truck driver with sleep apnea )
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#17
RE: Introduction - truckerdad57
Ohral and barefoot

The first question is are you looking for something for a couple of hours of no power or a couple of days ?

The simplest way is if you can afford it. . Get one of the newer portable battery cpap like Transcend or Z1. Then you have a backup if your normal cpap goes out or the power does. They are also a lot easier to travel with.

Your going to set up a battery " float " system. You run the CPAP on battery. With power you constantly charge the battery. When the power goes out it just doesn't charge. You don't even notice the difference.

Nicad batteries don't float well. Rv marine batteries give off explosive hydrogen while charging so they need well ventilated areas, lithium ion packs work well.

There are a variety available from the online cpap vendors. They're a bit pricey. But you get a package setup.

Otherwise you will need to get a 12v power inverter and a good battery pack and charger. CPAP with humidification need 185 watts AC power. It safer to oversize the inverter. Go with a 400 watt inverter for long term cpap use. How big of battery capacity depends on how long it will be used and if the heated humidification is off. Just blower motor need at least 200 mh\hr milli amp hour rated pack for 8 hrs at 20 pressure.
Hope this helps
(Just a truck driver with sleep apnea )
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#18
RE: Introduction - truckerdad57
Hi truckerdad57,
This is a reply to your post in the "Somnetics Transcend CPAP" thread regarding experience with the solar charger.
I purchased the TRANSCEND AUTO™ as well as three P8™ Batteries & the Transcend Portable Solar Battery Charger last year for use during a charity trek up to Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
During that trek, I spent six nights in tents in private permanent campsites. The plan was to top up the P8™'s whenever possible with the solar charger.
The solar charger was used daily upon arrival at each campsite & managed to trickle charge one P8™ Battery sufficiently such that I managed to have six nights of sleep without having to swap to the other spares. What really helped was a rest day when we spent two nights (3rd & 4th night) at one campsite where I had nearly one full day of use of the solar charger.
I didn't record hours of charging daily since the afternoons tended to cloud over occasionally.
Hope the above is of some use to you.
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