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So airlines allow 2 batteries of up to 160Wh (with airline approval) and as many 100Wh batteries as you can carry [note: I have not actually tried to show up to

So airlines allow 2 batteries of up to 160Wh (with airline approval) and as many 100Wh batteries as you can carry [note: I have not actually tried to show up to the TSA security line with a suitcase full of 100Wh batteries, so your mileage may vary]. A BiPAP machine uses 50-150 Watts, according to a random Google query, so you're looking at somewhere between 500 and 1400 Wh of total storage to get your 9 hours of sleep on a plane. So what you're looking for is (a) a way to daisychain these batteries together so that you don't need to wake up ever 40 minutes to 2 hours to swap batteries and (b) a way to plug in your BiPAP machine, if your battery packs are all USB-C and your BiPAP isn't.

wkat4242 2y ago
Ehm this is not really accurate. Not many people use a BiPAP machine. They're only for very old people who have serious difficulties breathing. A BiPAP machine can serve a largely different pressure for exhaling and inhaling, a normal CPAP machine can only do that with about 2cmH2O difference which isn't a lot. But normal people have no issue exhaling against the output of a CPAP anyway so it's not a problem. For this reason BiPAPs have much more beefy motors so they can ramp up and down quickly. Or perhaps two separate motors, I have never taken one apart (I have normal CPAPs which is basically just a pressure fan in a box with some regulation electronics) But anyway my point is, a normal CPAP doesn't use that much power. It may use more than that if a humidifier is used (which is probably not a bad idea on a plane, but it requires distilled water which is an issue to bring on the plane in sufficient quantity). Because the humidifier is just a heater and heaters use lots of power. I don't use a humidifier, my CPAP has a PSU of about 60W but I doubt it uses more than 20. The problem is more that they are not USB-C powered, nor are there official USB-C converters for it. I could probably construct one but bringing home-built electronics on a plane is probably not a great idea either. So yeah I don't think this will be a great option tbh. If power is provided on the plane it would work but I've never seen this on my flights except in business/first.
mncharity 2y ago
Sorry, my bad - regional availability and cost were the challenge, not BiPAP-ness. A Luna TravelPAP looks 20 W max and there's a USB-C cord. Heat and humidity is separate - a disposable sponge. Given 100Wh batteries, I've wondered if one could kludge a TSA-compatible carry-on electric mobility device, like skateboard wheels plus selfie sticks, as a one-bag travel scooter. My hungry laptop already needs several. Or carry a conversion kit for an "amazon, use, then give away" inexpensive manual kick scooter.

wkat4242 2y ago

Ehm this is not really accurate. Not many people use a BiPAP machine. They're only for very old people who have serious difficulties breathing. A BiPAP machine can serve a largely different pressure for exhaling and inhaling, a normal CPAP machine can only do that with about 2cmH2O difference which isn't a lot. But normal people have no issue exhaling against the output of a CPAP anyway so it's not a problem. For this reason BiPAPs have much more beefy motors so they can ramp up and down quickly. Or perhaps two separate motors, I have never taken one apart (I have normal CPAPs which is basically just a pressure fan in a box with some regulation electronics) But anyway my point is, a normal CPAP doesn't use that much power. It may use more than that if a humidifier is used (which is probably not a bad idea on a plane, but it requires distilled water which is an issue to bring on the plane in sufficient quantity). Because the humidifier is just a heater and heaters use lots of power. I don't use a humidifier, my CPAP has a PSU of about 60W but I doubt it uses more than 20. The problem is more that they are not USB-C powered, nor are there official USB-C converters for it. I could probably construct one but bringing home-built electronics on a plane is probably not a great idea either. So yeah I don't think this will be a great option tbh. If power is provided on the plane it would work but I've never seen this on my flights except in business/first.

mncharity 2y ago

Sorry, my bad - regional availability and cost were the challenge, not BiPAP-ness. A Luna TravelPAP looks 20 W max and there's a USB-C cord. Heat and humidity is separate - a disposable sponge. Given 100Wh batteries, I've wondered if one could kludge a TSA-compatible carry-on electric mobility device, like skateboard wheels plus selfie sticks, as a one-bag travel scooter. My hungry laptop already needs several. Or carry a conversion kit for an "amazon, use, then give away" inexpensive manual kick scooter.