• OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR

    Posted by carolynn on December 30, 2024 at 11:41 am

    CAN YOU USE A POWER STATION OR A PORTABLE GENERATOR WITH AN OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR? CONCERNED WHEN THE POWER GOES OUT.

    Colleen Steele replied 1 month ago 10 Members · 12 Replies
  • 12 Replies
  • Terese Tuohey

    Member
    December 31, 2024 at 2:08 pm

    If you are on a whole House generator, no problem for your concentrator. If a portable generator, you need to be sure that the plug you use for your O2 is connected with your generator. You might be able to set up your fuse box with parallel box just for things like the fridge and your O2 outlet. I also keep a couple of spare O2 tanks on hand, just in case.

  • Cris Dingman

    Member
    December 31, 2024 at 2:12 pm

    Carolyn, I lived in an area when the power went out for no apparent reason! I asked an electrician friend and he said a concentrator, depending on how much O2 it’s having to push, usually uses 600-1400 Watts, so any generator will need to have that. I muddled by with a couple batteries for my portable, but thought about a whole home one but they are so blasted expensive! I do not know about the power station capabilities. Best of luck!

  • Barbara Thompson

    Member
    December 31, 2024 at 2:16 pm

    🦓 I called my o2 company & they said that it’s fine as long as you used a 110 outlet.
    🦓

  • Randolph Reynolds

    Member
    December 31, 2024 at 2:17 pm

    Terese is correct on backup methods. However, I live in a retirement apartment complex that does not allow gasoline generators. There is no backup power to this place except in ‘assisted living’ area. Therefore I would be required to go over there and plug into their oxygen system. Twice the power went off here and I was told it would last less than three hours so I just remained on my oxygen tanks. For people on supplemetal O2 living in places where power outages are common, such events can be threatening.

  • V.R. Peterson

    Member
    December 31, 2024 at 3:55 pm

    I have a solar generator that will easily handle 3600 watts. Since most
    O2 concentrators need only 600 to 1400 watts (thanks for that
    information, Chris), my EcoFlow Delta Pro will easily power a concentrator. If the power comes back on before 24 hours, I can recharge my generator by plugging it into an electrical outlet. If the power is still out, I can keep it charged while I’m using it by connecting my solar panels to the generator while I’m using it. While I’ve never used it for an oxygen concentrator, I have used it to power my evaporative whole-house cooler and fridge-freezer all day at the same time without issue. The generator will handle up to four 400-watt solar panels at once, though the 400-watt panels are quite spendy. Lower wattage panels are more affordable, and they can also be used, but those take longer to charge. When deciding which solar panels to use (and how many), I recommend weighing your finances against how long your power usually stays out during outages. If you go with a different brand generator and/or solar panel(s), make sure the connections are compatible between generator and panel(s).

    Because solar is clean energy, it’s safe to use in my house, and it doesn’t make a sound. I also have a gas powered generator to power our downstairs freezer. That one has to stay outside because of the danger from carbon monoxide. This one is quite loud. I use an outdoor extension cord that I run from the generator to my freezer for the gas-powered generator..

  • carolynn

    Member
    January 1, 2025 at 4:06 pm

    Thank you all so much for the info. It was very helpful…. appreciate it!

  • Cindy

    Member
    January 1, 2025 at 8:30 pm

    Just make sure the power station/portable generator is strong enough to run it. FYI: If you run other things off the same one, you will need to check that it is strong enough for everything. I would recommend use one power source for the concentator and another power source for everything else.

    Keep Oxygen tanks on hand.

  • Jane Armstrong

    Member
    January 3, 2025 at 5:47 pm

    Another thing you can do is to tell your electric company that you use oxygen and to be a priority when the power goes out. We have Eversource here in NH and in the summer we live on a dead end dirt road – often very low on their priority list. Now they have put us on some list and try to get to us very quickly. Our neighbors are very happy about it!

  • jen-cueva

    Member
    January 6, 2025 at 4:42 pm

    Hi, @Carolynn Our incredible forum members offered many options when the power goes out. That’s why I love this group. When one of our members asks questions, many can offer their experiences. You have such great information about this critical topic.

    We have a portable generator, which we used when we lived along the Texas Gulf Coast and were affected by hurricanes. It is loud, but it did the job when we needed it. The few commonalities many of us use are things I have set up even here in San Diego.

    • Ask your O2 company to provide you with a few of those large oxygen tanks. I have one in my spare closet.
    • If possible, buy or rent extra batteries for your portable oxygen concentrator (POC).
    • Buy a generator, portable or home one if cost isn’t an issue.
    • Solar panels are not here as we rent our condo.
    • Contact your electricity provider and see if they offer a medical necessity form because you depend on oxygen. Some also offer discounted rates for those of us using O2. Here with SDGE, they do and also received that discount in Texas.

    Do you live in an area affected by natural disasters? Or are you trying to think ahead and ensure you have oxygen? I hope that, with all of the fantastic tips and feedback from our phenomenal members, you can find a plan that works best for you.

    I want to thank all of you who jumped in and offered such valuable information to Carolyn. 🤗

  • carolynn

    Member
    January 9, 2025 at 5:14 pm

    You all had such great tips. Unfortunately, a home generator is a little too expensive for me. But I have just purchased a poc with a few extra batteries and I will be getting the large tanks from my oxygen company. This helps me not to be so nervous about losing power. Thanks for all the input.

    • jen-cueva

      Member
      January 10, 2025 at 1:41 pm

      Hi @Carolynn , I am so happy to hear you have found a solution that works for you if you were to lose power. Like you, I have the POC with extra batteries, one tall tank, and also we have a small portable generator that we used when in Texas for hurricanes, etc. It powered my home concentrator. Because my hubby is home sick today, I asked how big ours is and he said 1800 watts. He said that one we could plug in my home concentrator and the fridge.

      Also, he said, Harbor Freight has one that says ultra-quiet , which ours is not, would be nice, and 1400 watts, plenty for a concentrator he said for $449. See the image below. I also know that is not cheap either, but nothing compared to a home generator. I wanted to share that info he contributed.

    • Colleen Steele

      Member
      January 10, 2025 at 3:35 pm

      Awesome to hear @Carolyn that you have found a solution that is affordable and eases your concerns! Thank you for updating us!

Log in to reply.