Fridges, CPAPs, and Batteries, oh my!

[Scoutn79]

Just a thought on battery choice.
This is how I do it, maybe not the best for everyone but....
I use the exact same battery for start and house.
Since the house battery typically takes more of a beating (I run an Engel 45 in it when camping as well as lights and charging cell phones, laptop etc.) than the start battery when the house battery gets ready for replacement I move the old start battery to the house position and put the new battery in the start position. I use regular auto, not marine/RV/deep cycle batteries. Seems to work just fine for my uses. My truck isn't a DD but basically leaves the garage to go camping, wheeling or for very bad weather.

Darrell

 

[BigSwede]

I do want an AGM for two reasons: 1) they hold a long-term charge much better than a conventional battery, and 2) I already have an AGM battery, and you definitely want to keep the same type of battery between the two.

There are some nice mounting kits out there for dual Optima 34s, and I have heard they both can fit on the Trooper battery tray location. While this has appeal for ease of mounting and dual battery compatibility, I have rejected that idea because the 34s are only 55 ah. My overnight scenario in the first post is over 26 ah consumed (and that is IF I don't run any other electrical items than the fridge and CPAP), so that is already at ~50% of capacity. If I am going to all this trouble I definitely want more capacity than that. I want a group 27 or 31, which are in the 92 - 100 ah range.

 

[off-roader]

...I use a CPAP "snorkel" for sleeping (sleep apnea). The CPAP company tells me the device uses about 1.3 amps. I have run this unit off of the vehicle many times overnight without noticeable effect on cranking at start in the morning.

Steve, quick question for you. I have a friend who uses a CPAP device (110VAC) who wants to go camping but isn't sure if a 12VDC CPAP exists. Is yours a 12VDC unit or a 110VAC unit?
TIA!
Ray

 

[BigSwede]

Yes, there are a number of CPAPs out there that will do both 110V AC and 12V DC, and more. I have a Devilbiss IntelliPap I think it's called. I also used it in Europe without a problem, just needed the wall plug adapter. Go to cpap.com and look at all the choices.

A unit that does 12V will be much more power-efficient than running off of an inverter.

 

[soul]

Also evaluate LiFePO4 option, the batteries are getting cheaper they have 10 times more cycles, 80% usable capacity, half the weight and size.
More details on the thread http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...PO4-in-a-dual-battery-setup?highlight=LiFePO4