[Product Review] Resmed Converter with Jackery Explorer 160 Battery

[AndyB]

I recently used a ResMed Air10 DC/DC Converter 90W (model 37003, product #37297) and a Jackery Explorer 160 portable power station to power a ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset during a short off-the-grid camping trip.  This setup worked perfectly, with one capacity caveat noted below.

Jackery's website states that the Explorer 160 should not be used to power CPAP machines, instead recommending a significantly larger and more expensive model.

I found the Explorer 160 had plenty of juice for 2 full nights (approx. 7 hrs per night), with 20% capacity remaining after the second night.  I was able to recharge the battery after the second night back to 45% capacity from a car's 12V cigarette lighter with the vehicle idling for an hour.  That gave me enough juice for 7-1/2 hrs the 3rd night, with 5% capacity remaining.

I used the Explorer 160's 12V DC output to power the ResMed converter, which in turn delivered 24V DC to the ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset's input.  To minimize power usage, I turned humidification and temperature off.  The Autoset operated in APAP mode, with pressure settings of 8.0 min to 16.0 max and EPR 2 full time.  Average pressure (IPAP) for the 3 nights was 11.02 (average EPAP = 9.02).  As far as I could tell, the therapy provided by this setup seemed identical to the therapy I receive using normal AC power.

I purchased the ResMed converter from Supplier #1 and the Explorer 160 through Mr. Bezos' company, fulfilled by Jackery itself.

[Sleeprider]

Looks like a nice 4-pound solution for $149 on Amazon, but I might take the advise to opt for the larger Explorer 240 at $249 (6.6 lbs) for the additional capacity. The question is, how will long-term durability be if you continue to draw the battery to near-zero capacity. I would want to keep the charge state above 50% to avoid potential damage. In addition the 240 is supposed to provide a pure sine wave vs the square wave of the 160. This might be better for the CPAP. Good lead, thanks, and hope you will continue to update your experience here.

[AndyB]

You're right Sleeprider, as usual!  The capacity of the Explorer 160 is sufficient for a couple of nights off the grid, but additional nights seem to require at least some recharging, and the lack of a true sine wave is also less than ideal.

I chose the Explorer 160 instead of the 240 for two reasons: (i) the 160 is $100 less expensive, and (ii) the 240 is too powerful to be carried on commercial flights or put in checked baggage in the U.S.  TSA regs prohibit transporting uninstalled lithium-ion batteries (including power stations/chargers) of any size in checked baggage, but allow lithium ion batteries up to 100 watt-hours to be carried on.  With the relevant airline's consent, a passenger may carry on up to 2 lithium ion batteries with capacities of 100-160 watt-hours.  Since I was flying to and from my camping destination (and not having a private jet at my disposal), I was limited in the capacity of the battery I could take with me.  Arguably I shouldn't even have taken the 160 on board my flights since it has a 167 watt-hour rating, but it cleared TSA's inspection both coming and going.

Here's the link to TSA's FAQ on batteries carried by airline passengers:

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/hea...teries.pdf

[Sleeprider]

Excellent reasoning AndyB! Thanks for the review.

[Lakeranger]

I have a Jackery Explorer 290 and a Dream Station2 CPAP.  I also have a power cord device that has a cigarette connector to attach to the Jackery and the plug that fits the Dream Station2 with an output of 19.5 volts.  Is that voltage too high?

[Sleeprider]

The Resmed machines operate on 24 volts DC. When using a 12-14 volt source there are Resmed DC 12 to 24 Volt converters that will deliver the correct voltage to the CPAP. I'm not certain what happens when connected to a 19.5 VDC source.

[pholynyk]

Lakeranger: As far as I know, the DreamStation 2 operates on 12 volts; I would be very hesitant to connect 1 19 volt supply to it. Just because the plugs fit, it doesn't mean everything is compatible.