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Topic: Caravanning with an Oxygen Concentrator

Photo4x4

05/12/2021 at 4:54pm
Location: Scottish Highlands
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Hello
I am trying to get information from anyone who currently goes caravanning and has to use an 'oxygen concentrator'.
My wife has recently (in the past few days) been sent home from hospital and now needs a constant oxygen supply (nothing to do with COVID-19). This is being done via an oxygen concentrator machine with additional apparatus for filling oxygen bottes for use whilst out and about. We are on a VERY steep learning curve here believe me as she was up until a few weeks ago fit and healthy.
The supplying company on behalf of SNHS can supply a portable machine for if we go on holiday, but it is a real faff and you need to book weeks in advance. We intend to carry on life as normally as possible and carry-on caravanning as much as possible and are therefore researching purchasing a suitable portable oxygen concentrator for her. The machine needs to be able to deliver continuous flow for night-time and pulse delivery during the day.
I have a couple in mind that are small enough to be carried around during the day but also provide the therapy for night-time.
One being https://www.portableoxygen.co.uk/philips-respironics-simplygo/?gclid=CjwKCAiAwKyNB........Phillips Respironics SimplyGo, the other being https://www.portableoxygen.co.uk/eclipse-5/Eclipe5.
I would like to speak to anyone who actually does go caravanning with one of these or similar. I have also asked on other caravan forums (forae/fora?) but am yet to find anyone who actually goes caravanning with their own oxygen machine.
So, if YOU are using oxygen whilst caravanning or know of anyone who does can you please give me a shout.
Thanks
KH

tango55

05/12/2021 at 6:17pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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If I was going to choose one of the machines from one of the two links I would go for the Philips Respironics Simply Go. I have watched both of the videos for both machines and the Philips appears to be more portable in the fact that it can be used by 240 volt mains power and 12 volt power as well so is more flexible in terms of operation. It comes with a carry case which also makes it more portable for use in the caravan. Regarding the links you have posted, the Eclipse 5 has a video link to watch but the Philips hasn't so here is a YouTube link to see more about it.

Here

Photo4x4

06/12/2021 at 12:18pm
Location: Scottish Highlands
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Thank you for your reply.
I have just heard back from the oxygen provider and as it happens it is either of the two machines I mentioned that they provide on a temporary basis. They are therefore (S)NHS approved which gives me confidence.

Now I'd like to hear from someone who has used either whilst caravanning. I know that THS's will be out for us but sites with EHU will still be within our capability.
KH

tango55

06/12/2021 at 9:24pm
Location: Lichfield
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The Philips Respironics Simply Go has a 12 volt power port so can be used whilst travelling in the vehicle if required, that's another reason why I suggested this particular model. My wife has to use a nebuliser occasionally so I purchased one that could be used via both 12 volt or mains power so I can fully understand why you can't use THS's anymore because I'm in the same situation basically so have to opt for EHU every time.

Photo4x4

07/12/2021 at 9:17am
Location: Scottish Highlands
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Hello Tango55

You are quite right about 12v and 230v power, it means that we will be able to use it whilst travelling instead of relying on a small oxygen cylinder.

Fortunately both models mentioned have mains and 12v options.

We do love the THSs, but there is no point worrying about what we can't do, we'll concentrate all our energies into what we CAN do.

The portable machines will open up the possibility of continental travel again.

KH

Mick S.

07/12/2021 at 3:54pm
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Would the weight - 10lbs, be an issue for being out and about (or is she in a wheelchair?). Otherwise, if it can be plugged in, either at home or a caravan - which could actually be your home, i cant see a problem. The woman has to live, so caravan or house......is there a difference?

path20

01/1/2022 at 10:24pm
Location: Lancashire
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My husband had needed to use oxygen on a few holidays but does not need to use an oxygen concentrator,.
The oxygen suppliers in whichever part of the country we have been in have been fantastic in keeping up with his supply of oxygen.

Photo4x4

02/1/2022 at 9:53am
Location: Scottish Highlands
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Hello all and thank you for your replies.

I have now ordered and paid for an Eclipse5 which is currently out of stock but the first one in is ours. The company who supply the oxygen concentrators for SNHS will also loan out portable machines (Eclipse5 or Phillips Simply Go). However, you have to book weeks in advance and you are also dependent on them having one free when you want it. So, to give us the flexibility of doing what we want when we want to I decided to cough up (no pun intended) and purchase one.

We are now settling into our new routine and I have made contact through the C&CC forum with someone who goes caravanning with and Eclipse5.

MickS, no she is not in a wheelchair but the Eclipse5 comes in its own trolley which you wheel around so it will be okay, thanks. Regarding the caravan my concern was the gas cooker, but we can switch the machine off if we need to use it and of course we have a microwave and an electric hob as well. My new contact also suggested using a gas BBQ, which is of course outside the caravan.

So, now we are waiting for this latest wave of Covid-19 to subside and hopefully will be away in March!

Thanks again.

KH

Photo4x4

19/1/2022 at 12:07pm
Location: Scottish Highlands
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Hello

I have been checking out the exact power requirements of the Eclipse5, which I will post here as the information may be of use to anyone else in the same situation.

I heard back from the tech guy at Intermedical this morning. He had been in contact with the manufacturers on my behalf.

They are of the opinion that with the settings my wife needs (pulse supply rate of 2 litres per minute) the 120 watt supply will be fine. If the battery is not being charged (IE. full charge or removed) the power requirement is even less.

Regarding using the inverter in the car, at a constant flow rate of 2 litres per minute and charging the battery = 5 amps. Not charging the battery = 2.9 amps. On pulse (depending on breathing rate, but given an 'average') with oxygen supply and charging the battery = 3.8 amps. On pulse and not charging the battery = 1.8 amps.

So, I'm happy that our vehicle (21 plate Ssangyong Rexton) will cope.

As an aside, the figures also bode well for use on European and Moroccan campsites where the power supply is often as low as 6 amps, as opposed to the UK's campsites where 16 amps or 10 amps are the norm.

In morocco the supply often suffers from voltage drop from 240 v in the evenings (when our caravan fridge stops working and automatically switches over to gas - propane) but the Eclipse5 works from 110 v to 240 v and will simply keep going.

This is great news for us as despite everything we fully intend, when Covid-19 permits, to get out and about again and live life as close to 'normal' as possible.

Thanks to you all for your contributions.

Now we are just waiting for Intermedical to get their next delivery of Eclipse5 concentrators!

KH

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