Our backup generator failed during a power outage last week

We had a big storm in Austin and the power went out for about 8 hours, which meant my mom's oxygen concentrator stopped working. I had to rush her to my sister's house across town because our backup plan fell apart. What's a more reliable backup system for medical equipment that doesn't cost a fortune?

4 comments

4 Comments

wader7110d ago

Man, that's a scary situation with your mom's oxygen concentrator stopping. I had a similar panic when my sump pump died during a flood. For a more reliable backup, maybe look into a dedicated battery backup unit for medical devices. They're like a big power strip with a battery that kicks in instantly. Some even let you add extra external batteries for longer run times, which is cheaper than a whole-house generator.

bailey.jennifer10d ago

That battery backup idea is a total lifesaver. We got one for my dad's CPAP machine after a bad storm. It's just a heavy box that plugs into the wall, then the machine plugs into it. When the power blinks, you don't even hear a click. For longer outages, we have a second battery pack that connects to it. Gives us real peace of mind.

kellygrant10d agoMost Upvoted

Actually, those battery backup units are usually called UPS systems (uninterruptible power supply). They're perfect for keeping medical gear running through short outages.

betty_perry246d ago

Totally agree with @wader71 on getting a proper UPS unit. Game changer for sure.