Power Failure

[OMyMyOHellYes]

Computer UPS units may be good for VERY short outages of less then, say, 30 minutes. Maybe less, depending on how high humidification is set. But not much more than that. Try to avoid them. They were built to allow you to shut down your computer gracefully if power goes out, not keep on running the machines. They are horribly inefficient due to several current conversion cycles (120 V AC hosue voltage down to 12 V DC battery voltage back up to 120V AC through an inverter to power the UPS output then back down to 12 V DC for the machine). Also, the internal batteries are relatively small to start with in most household units.

I just wake up if the power goes out. If not, no big whoop as you are not going to suffocate. I used to get up and rig battery for he rest of the night, now I have a home brew, dedicated UPS built specifically for this purpose that will get me comfortably through a night without bypassing humidification (JustMongo already described it - thanks, Mongo!). After the first night, humidification has to go as it eats up SO much power...

OMMOHY

[Mosquitobait]

There are many power backup solutions. Just do a search at any one of the approved suppliers listed on the board.

While I agree with this, keep in mind that the backup solutions at approved suppliers don't include options for batteries to come on-line when your power goes out. you have to wake up and then add the battery. Peruse the threads involving this - some folks live in areas very prone to power outs and have batteries that automatically start up when the power goes out.

If you have very severe apnea, consider contacting your power company about medical backup. Ask them what they recommend. While a free unit probably won't be available to you (you have to be homebound and on oxygen), they may have reduced cost options if you buy or rent through them.

[justMongo]

Actually, the OMMOHY approach does auto switch. You do have to DIY it.

[Homerec130]

More than once I have gotten up in the middle of the night, turned the machine off and hit the head. Then came back and put the mask back on and went to sleep. Woke up in the morning and found I never turned the machine back one. I have a FFM and could breathe through it without any problems.

Homer