[Equipment] Cold-weather camping?

[tundranapper]

Hello all, do any of you camp in sub-freezing conditions? My ResMed S9 works well down to the mid 30s, but any colder and it starts to send out puffs even though I'm not having an event.

I wonder if keeping it in the sleeping bag with me would be an option? Do any travel models have lower operating temps?

I don't go looking for temps this low, but forecasts often err... ended up with a night in the mid-20s instead of low 30s the other night.

Thanks for any suggestions!

[mesenteria]

Only your torso and legs should be in the sleeping bag, especially in cold weather.  Okay, and a pocket warmer near your toes if it's below -15C and you don't have an arctic type sleeping bag.  Many forget and as the night draws on they tuck into their bags, including covering their heads in the top collar.  Really terrible move.  Your expiratory moisture will build up in the liner and in the insulation, and by morning you'll be in a cold damp mess.  Next night, if you haven't managed to air the bag out, and you're still camping, you'll be in a world of hurt.

The machine needs ready access to air.  A sleeping bag doesn't provide that unless you're wafting behind your fanny....if you knowwhaddamean.  So, unfortunately, the machine must be out in the cold.  A heated room is best.

[Stiltired]

I've had my Autoset 10 down to freezing and below a few times.  

The first experience was in the mid 20's and it zapped my Omni battery within an hour.  I use a down quilt instead of a sleeping bag, but I'll keep my battery within the quilt now if temps are below 40F.  More recently we camped in low 30's and I loosely wrapped the cpap in my down jacket as well as routing the hose into the quilt as much as I could.  To keep my face and head warm I find a balaclava works quite well.  

I've not done this but a cold weather camping trick is to pour really hot water into a nalgene bottle and keep it in your bag/quilt with you.  Well, as long as it doesn't leak, you could place same nalgene into your backpack along with your cpap, giving it some warmth through most of the night.

[tundranapper]

Yeah, wasn't really a battery life issue. My power pack still had juice, the machine was just puffing me as I was laying there breathing normally. I assume the condensation was freezing inside it. Your suggestion has merit.

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I had the pocket warmer ready to go but never cracked it open. My 0F sleeping bag and wool socks were adequate, along with winter coat (hood up), fleece hat and mummy hood up as well. Just needed the machine to work.

[RNeil]

I assume the condensation was freezing inside it. 

I can't think of any reason for condensation in the unit. I think that it was just not made for the cold.