For most people a power cut means a dark evening. For someone who sleeps with a CPAP or uses other medical equipment at home, it is a bigger worry. A power station can bridge the gap, but it is worth planning it properly.
Important: this guide is general information, not medical advice. For any device you depend on, confirm the power requirements and backup options with your equipment supplier or doctor. For life-critical equipment, always keep a second backup.
Step 1: Find Out How Much Power the Device Uses
Look at the label on the power adapter or in the manual. A CPAP without a heated humidifier typically uses a few dozen watts; with the humidifier and heated tube it can use several times more. Many people switch off the humidifier during an outage to make the battery last much longer.
Step 2: Work Out the Run Time
A simple rule: usable energy ≈ capacity × 0.85, then divide by the device's power. For a CPAP at 40 W without a humidifier:
| Power station | Capacity | About how long at 40 W |
|---|---|---|
| FP300 | 192Wh | About 4 hours |
| FP600 | 512Wh | About one night |
| TD1200 | 1,024Wh | About 2–3 nights |
| TD2400 | 2,048Wh | About 5 nights |
With the humidifier on, expect a fraction of these times.
Step 3: Choose the Right Connection
- Pure sine wave. All our power stations give a pure sine wave from the AC socket, which is what medical devices are designed for.
- DC adapter. Some CPAP makers sell a 12 V adapter. Running the device from the station's 12 V output skips the inverter and makes the battery last longer.
- Automatic switch-over. The FP300 and FP600 have a UPS function: the device stays plugged into the station, the station into the wall, and it takes over if the power drops.
Step 4: Keep It Ready
- Keep the station charged and plugged in. LiFePO4 batteries are safe to leave on charge.
- Do a test night once, so you know how long it really lasts with your settings.
- For longer outages, a folding solar panel can recharge the station during the day.
Other Devices
The same steps work for oxygen concentrators, nebulisers, powered beds or a fridge for medicine: check the power, calculate the run time, test it. Oxygen concentrators often use a lot of power, so check carefully and ask your supplier before relying on a power station.
Questions about a specific device? Email the model to support@giraffevolt.shop and we will help you work out the run time.