u/GalianoGirl

I have moved to a place where power outages are frequent and can last from hours to days.

I know nothing about battery back ups and get confused reading earlier posts on the topic.

I am in BC Canada, so Canadian retailers are preferred. My budget is closer to $500 than $1000.

Last week the power went out during the night, I woke up gasping for air. Ideally I would have a system in place that my machine is always connected to, or needs minimal fuss to connect it.

I saw comments about DC and AC and adapters. I think this means the black box midway along the original power cable is a converter that changes the AC current from the outlet to DC to run the machine.

I am guessing too that batteries put out a DC current?

Where would I get a cable for my AirCurve 10, that could connect to the DC port on a back up battery?

One on of the posts someone mentioned using a deep cycle marine battery. How do you keep it charged? We used to have an RV and a solar panel charged the 6V house batteries.

Is it safe to have a Marine battery in a bedroom? Do they off gas? I recall having to clean crystallized crud off the terminals of the RV ones.

I have a small generator that I could use to recharge a back up battery in case of an extended power outage. I use it to keep the fridge and freezer cold. But I don’t want to be mucking around outside at night starting the noisy generator.

I do understand that to reduce power consumption I would need to turn off the humidifier. I don’t use a heated hose.

Please be kind in your replies, I have never learnt about how electricity works beyond flipping a switch and the lights come on.

I have a small house that was built in the 1950’s.

The brick chimney and fireplace have to be removed.

It is on an exterior wall, the hearth is brick and above the mantle is some form of wall board, not drywall.

It is one level. The roof has rafters, not trusses and until I open the inside wall, I will have no idea how it is supported where the chimney is.

I will not be replacing the fireplace. The siding is being replaced in a couple months.

I am thinking to do the following. Brace the ceiling joists inside before opening the wall and starting the demo.

Have fun with a sledge hammer and remove the brick work. Much of the mortar is crumbing.

Then rebuild the wall. Studs, sheathing, vapour barrier, rain screen, insulation etc.

Have I missed anything?