Re: Portable Concentrators

May 9, 2009

Hi Adrienne,

I set up an inverter in my tuck so I can use my home unit on the road and takr it in to my destination. The cost on an inverter is around $100 and the wire is about $30-$40 dollars. Cheap way to go. Inverter was from Harbor freight tools. Available on line. I bought the 1200 watt unit to be sure to be large enough. It is only about 12"x10"x2". Easy to wire up.

Joe

JOE & JOANIE LAMENSKIE

IPF JAN. 2008

-- Portable Concentrators

I am interested in getting a portable concentrator because it would free me up to travel. I often take trips that require an overnight stay and my Helios does not last more than one day. Does anyone have recommendations?

Thank you.

May 9, 2009

Adrienne

Assuming you use oxygen for sleep, the only portable concentrator that

is usable for sleep is the Sequal Eclipse. I don't know your oxygen flow

so don't know your other needs.

As a user of liquid oxygen, you have a couple more alternatives. One is

to have a reservoir delivered where you're going. The other is to have a

reservoir brought and put in your car before the trip.

>

> I am interested in getting a portable concentrator because it would

free me up to travel. I often take trips that require an overnight stay

and my Helios does not last more than one day. Does anyone have

recommendations?

> Thank you.

>

May 10, 2009

Adrienne,

An inverter is a fairly small item that merely allows you to run a concentrator in your car. Therefore it solves the problem of using oxygen in your car and having a concentrator at your destination.

Do you travel by car or by plane? Traveling by plane is another issue that I don't have experience with but traveling by car? That's something I do frequently. I use a concentrator and tanks. My concentrator goes in the car and I generally take the tanks that I will need with me. I also take my prescription in case I need something while I'm away. Medicare will only pay one provider at a time. Since my provider is local, anything I would need while away from home is my financial responsibility. That's why I make an effort to bring what I need with me.

You've mentioned Helios so I'm assuming you are using liquid. Bruce suggested asking your provider for a smaller resevoir that will fit in your car for traveling. If your provider does not have one you can purchase them used on Craigs list and even on Ebay sometimes. It can be seatbelted into the back seat of your car and you can refill your Helios at any time. It can also be carried into the home or hotel where you are staying and refilled (at your expense since your insurance won't pay except for once a year) if you need it. If you're only doing overnights though a 50lb resevoir will be more than enough and you won't need a refill.

Hope that helps!

Beth

Moderator

Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08

To: Breathe-Support Sent: Sunday, May 10, 2009 1:34:50 PMSubject: Re: Portable Concentrators

I am not sure what an inverter is, but I doubt that would work for me because it sounds heavy and I would never be able to lift it. Also how would I use it to travel around while walking around town?

Thanks!

Subject: Re: Portable ConcentratorsTo: Breathe-Support Date: Saturday, May 9, 2009, 9:50 PM

Hi Adrienne,

I set up an inverter in my tuck so I can use my home unit on the road and takr it in to my destination. The cost on an inverter is around $100 and the wire is about $30-$40 dollars. Cheap way to go. Inverter was from Harbor freight tools. Available on line. I bought the 1200 watt unit to be sure to be large enough. It is only about 12"x10"x2". Easy to wire up.

Joe

JOE & JOANIE LAMENSKIE

IPF JAN. 2008

-- Portable Concentrators

I am interested in getting a portable concentrator because it would free me up to travel. I often take trips that require an overnight stay and my Helios does not last more than one day. Does anyone have recommendations?

Thank you.

May 10, 2009

Adrienne,

An inverter is a fairly small item that merely allows you to run a concentrator in your car. Therefore it solves the problem of using oxygen in your car and having a concentrator at your destination.

Do you travel by car or by plane? Traveling by plane is another issue that I don't have experience with but traveling by car? That's something I do frequently. I use a concentrator and tanks. My concentrator goes in the car and I generally take the tanks that I will need with me. I also take my prescription in case I need something while I'm away. Medicare will only pay one provider at a time. Since my provider is local, anything I would need while away from home is my financial responsibility. That's why I make an effort to bring what I need with me.

You've mentioned Helios so I'm assuming you are using liquid. Bruce suggested asking your provider for a smaller resevoir that will fit in your car for traveling. If your provider does not have one you can purchase them used on Craigs list and even on Ebay sometimes. It can be seatbelted into the back seat of your car and you can refill your Helios at any time. It can also be carried into the home or hotel where you are staying and refilled (at your expense since your insurance won't pay except for once a year) if you need it. If you're only doing overnights though a 50lb resevoir will be more than enough and you won't need a refill.

Hope that helps!

Beth

Moderator

Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08

To: Breathe-Support Sent: Sunday, May 10, 2009 1:34:50 PMSubject: Re: Portable Concentrators

I am not sure what an inverter is, but I doubt that would work for me because it sounds heavy and I would never be able to lift it. Also how would I use it to travel around while walking around town?

Thanks!

Subject: Re: Portable ConcentratorsTo: Breathe-Support Date: Saturday, May 9, 2009, 9:50 PM

Hi Adrienne,

I set up an inverter in my tuck so I can use my home unit on the road and takr it in to my destination. The cost on an inverter is around $100 and the wire is about $30-$40 dollars. Cheap way to go. Inverter was from Harbor freight tools. Available on line. I bought the 1200 watt unit to be sure to be large enough. It is only about 12"x10"x2". Easy to wire up.

Joe

JOE & JOANIE LAMENSKIE

IPF JAN. 2008

-- Portable Concentrators

I am interested in getting a portable concentrator because it would free me up to travel. I often take trips that require an overnight stay and my Helios does not last more than one day. Does anyone have recommendations?

Thank you.

May 10, 2009

Adrienne

I don't know about your insurer but I'd talk to my oxygen provider. If

they are a national provider I'd think they'd do it anyway. Otherwise a

reservoir to take with you or a small concentrator plus canisters or

some other option. As said, of the POC's, Sequal Eclipse might meet your

need. With the others the issue is sleep.

> >

> > I am interested in getting a portable concentrator because it would

> free me up to travel. I often take trips that require an overnight

stay

> and my Helios does not last more than one day. Does anyone have

> recommendations?

> > Thank you.

> >

>

May 10, 2009

Adrienne

I don't know about your insurer but I'd talk to my oxygen provider. If

they are a national provider I'd think they'd do it anyway. Otherwise a

reservoir to take with you or a small concentrator plus canisters or

some other option. As said, of the POC's, Sequal Eclipse might meet your

need. With the others the issue is sleep.

> >

> > I am interested in getting a portable concentrator because it would

> free me up to travel. I often take trips that require an overnight

stay

> and my Helios does not last more than one day. Does anyone have

> recommendations?

> > Thank you.

> >

>

May 10, 2009

Adrienne

I don't know about your insurer but I'd talk to my oxygen provider. If

they are a national provider I'd think they'd do it anyway. Otherwise a

reservoir to take with you or a small concentrator plus canisters or

some other option. As said, of the POC's, Sequal Eclipse might meet your

need. With the others the issue is sleep.

> >

> > I am interested in getting a portable concentrator because it would

> free me up to travel. I often take trips that require an overnight

stay

> and my Helios does not last more than one day. Does anyone have

> recommendations?

> > Thank you.

> >

>

May 10, 2009

MB/Adrienne/Others

MB mentions Craigslist and Ebay and there are many other sellers of

reconditioned and used equipment. I know for most of us money is tight.

However, sometimes there is a lot of piece of mind in having extra.

Beyond food and housing, I consider oxygen my next necessity. I

purchased a Caire Stroller online sometime back. I just know if

something happens with my Helios Marathon I have something else

available. You can purchase used concentrators pretty inexpensively,

sometimes $200-300. You can even purchase new ones (not POC's) for as

little at $600. I know many can't afford anything but, if you can, a

little extra security is sure nice. Or something that makes you flexible

beyond your insurance.

>

> From: JOE & JOANIE LAMENSKIE jjskie@...

> Subject: Re: Portable Concentrators

> To: Breathe-Support

> Date: Saturday, May 9, 2009, 9:50 PM

>

> Hi Adrienne,

> I set up an inverter in my tuck so I can use my home unit on the

road and takr it in to my destination. The cost on an inverter is around

$100 and the wire is about $30-$40 dollars. Cheap way to go. Inverter

was from Harbor freight tools. Available on line. I bought the 1200 watt

unit to be sure to be large enough. It is only about 12 " x10 " x2 " . Easy to

wire up.

> Joe

>

> JOE &JOANIE LAMENSKIE

> IPF JAN. 2008

> -- Portable Concentrators

>

> I am interested in getting a portable concentrator because it would

free me up to travel. I often take trips that require an overnight stay

and my Helios does not last more than one day. Does anyone have

recommendations?

> Thank you.

>

May 10, 2009