The Top 5 Tips for Using Your POC in a Car

The Top 5 Tips for Using Your POC in a Car

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If you’re visiting family, running errands, or even traveling more often than not you’re driving to get there but how do you travel with your portable oxygen concentrator (POC)?

Fortunately, portable oxygen concentrators come in various shapes and sizes. Some are even as light as 2.8 pounds! Traveling with supplemental oxygen shouldn’t be a difficult or tense experience. Today POCs come with a plethora of useful and convenient concentrator accessories like carrying cases, rolling carts, backpacks, car power supply, extra batteries, and more to make driving even easier!

Although jumping in your car with a portable oxygen unit is easy, there are still a few tips and guidelines that can help make your next car trip with oxygen easy and most of all, safe! Keep reading to learn our top 5 tips for using your POC in a car!

1. Do Not Leave Your Unit in the Car

Extreme Temperatures
One of our most important rules of advice, especially during warm months, is don’t leave your concentrator in your car! Portable concentrator’s operating temperatures go up to roughly 104 degrees. However, internal vehicle temperatures can easily exceed that at many popular vacation destinations such as Las Vegas and Phoenix. A POC is considered an electronic and will have a hard time operating in temperatures over 104ºF (40ºC). High temperatures can easily damage circuitry within the unit.

The same goes for the cold temperatures as well. When the temperature goes below 41ºF (5ºC), portable oxygen concentrators will have a hard time. Do not leave the POC in the car when it’s supposed to get chilly.

Lithium-Ion Batteries
Something of equal importance is the batteries inside your unit. Portable oxygen concentrator batteries are Lithium-Ion, meaning high temperatures will erode the efficacy of the batteries which in turn will reduce charging ability over time. The same is true for frigid temperatures as well. If a concentrator is exposed to extreme conditions, it’s important that the machine returns to the proper operating temperature before continuing use.

Theft
Unfortunately, we often hear stories from patients about their concentrators being stolen out of their cars. POCs are valuable pieces of equipment and should be taken with you, when not at home, and kept within sight. Carrying cases, backpacks, and easy-rolling carts can help by comfortably keeping your concentrator within reach while not restricting your freedom.

2. Don’t Smoke!

Smoking while using oxygen is the number one cause of fire injuries and related deaths. Do not smoke, use candles, or have any other open flames in a car with an oxygen concentrator or oxygen-carrying accessories. Smoking while wearing an oxygen cannula may cause facial burns and possibly death. Make sure you do not remove your cannula and place it on any clothing, cushions, or other flammable materials while the machine is in use.

If You Must Smoke Follow These 3 Steps to Ensure Your Safety

  1. Turn off the unit.
  2. Take off the cannula
  3. Leave your car or the room where your oxygen device is located

Open Windows for Fresh Air
To maintain good ventilation in your car, consider opening windows slightly to allow fresh air circulation. This helps prevent the cabin from feeling stuffy or stagnant, especially during long journeys. However, be mindful of weather conditions, noise levels, and any potential air pollutants while choosing the appropriate window opening size.

POC on passenger side floor3. Store Your Unit Safely

Proper Storage
When driving, it’s best, if possible, to place the unit on the passenger side’s floor, you can also place it on the passenger side’s seat but make sure it is completely secure, buckled in, and will not move or cause distractions while driving.

Keep it Free & Clear
Be sure you do not place anything on top of the unit such as purses, blankets, or clothing. This may block the air vents and cause the unit to overheat. Your POC is an electronic and as such tends to overheat and malfunction if its vents are blocked or covered. Keep it secure, upright, uncovered, and in place at all times during driving.

4. Bring Your DC Charging Cord

Charging
Luckily, a DC power adapter charging cord is a standard included accessory among portable concentrators today. This power cord acts as a battery charger for internal and external batteries on most units and hooks up to your car via the standard cigarette lighter. Consult your owner’s manual for unit-specific information on how to charge and use your DC power adapter. Can’t find your cord? View additional charging cords and accessories.

IMPORTANT: Your vehicle should be started and running before connecting to the DC outlet! Never leave a unit plugged into the DC charger in a car that is not running. Doing so will cause the unit to continue to pull power, thus killing the car battery and potentially hurting the unit.

Available Power & Charging Time
Most concentrators will charge under DC power; however, that can mean charging more slowly than wall-outlet AC power. Estimate and allow for more charging time when using DC power vs. AC power, especially if you are planning on running your unit while charging.

Although most units will charge with a DC charging cord, that’s only if there is sufficient power available in the car. The available charging power will vary depending on the type of car you have. Consult your owner’s manual and the manual of your vehicle to find the charging output needed by the unit and provided by the vehicle.

5. Troubleshooting

No indication of charging? If the external power light or charging indicator on the unit does not illuminate, disconnect the power cable from the DC outlet, restart your vehicle, and then reconnect the cable to the DC outlet.

Consult your owner’s manual if you need more assistance on charging and troubleshooting your individual unit in the car.

  • Before making any changes to your lifestyle or activity level be sure to consult your doctor and discuss any activity restrictions you may have or foresee.
  • Also consider discussing any altitude changes, high pollution areas, extreme temperature or humidity, or any seasonal allergies that may affect you on your trip.
  • It’s always best to travel with your prescription should any additional needs or issues arise.
  • If you’re going to a drier climate you may want to consider a humidifier bottle for continuous-flow oxygen.
  • Dry and dusty climates may cause units to pick up extra debris. Keep your concentrator in top working order by keeping filters clean and clear. Read more about cleaning your POC.
  • If your trip includes air travel, be sure to contact your individual airline in advance to meet their requirements for flying with an oxygen concentrator. Read more about flying with an oxygen concentrator.

Video: Using Your POC in the Car

Date Updated: June 6, 2023
Date Published: August 29, 2016

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Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more.

Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

About Scott Ridl:

Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more. Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

45 thoughts on “The Top 5 Tips for Using Your POC in a Car

  1. Have a Simple Go and a Sequel 5 , Bought a new Chevy Malibu that has Auto Stop every time we stop at a light machine go to Battery mode any suggestions ? we have to stop and reset machine at almost every stop light

    • Thank you for your comment, Bobby. Being that your car has Auto Stop, the feature is designed to turn off the engine when the car comes to a stop. This is like turning off your car, hence your unit’s inability to continue charging. A car that is not turned on will not be able to charge a machine; this is why you’re seeing your machine go to Battery Mode.

    • Turn off stop and go. My car has a button for that. I hit the button every time I get in the car.
      Your car most likely has a button also.

    • Guessing when your engine shuts down when you stop, it shuts off the charging plug which would cause your machine to go to battery.

    • Go to a garage that does auto electrical work and have them install a line that goes directly to your battery, then the auto shut off won’t effect it. ONLY THING !!!
      You must always be sure to disconnect your unit from it or it will discharge your battery when the vehicle isn’t being used.

      • Thank you for sharing that suggestion. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and instructions for the proper use and maintenance of your specific POC model, and consult with the manufacturer or their customer support if you have any questions or concerns.

  2. Very good advice but I one question. If you have your unit on the passenger seat and buckled in, won’t it over heat if it is tight against the seat back ? Thanks

    • Great question, Gordon. You should always make sure the vents on your unit are front facing and uncovered; especially if the machine is on and in use.

    • I normally drive alone. When I’m driving , I just hang the unit over the headrest pylon supports ( Honda CR-V) of the front passenger seat and adjust the straps so it is not resting on the seat . I’ve driven all over the country and I have never had the unit swing about, or even move . Make sure the vents on the front and side are not obstructed . The Unit (an Inogen One C5) just naturally rests in the curve of the back rest. And I run it on the Battery while driving . Yes – I take along spare batteries and chargers ( for use in the Hotel overnight ) when I travel, rather than fight with the cigarette lighter charging connector. The product reviews I’ve read indicate the Cigarette lighter plug runs hot and often doesn’t work well.

      • my inogen unit is overheating badly when using the cigarette lighter. I was told by my car manufacturer that i should not plug in something that uses over 10 amps. I asked inogen and they told me their unit could go as high as 15 and thats why its overheating!!!! what do i do???

        • If your Inogen unit is overheating when using the cigarette lighter in your car, here are a few suggestions you can try:

            Take breaks: If you’re using the Inogen unit for an extended period in the car, consider taking short breaks to allow the device to cool down. This can help prevent overheating.
            Contact Inogen support: If the issue persists or you’re concerned about the overheating, it’s best to reach out to Inogen’s customer support. They can provide specific guidance and assistance based on your device model.

          Remember, it’s important to prioritize your safety and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you have any doubts or concerns, consulting with the manufacturer or a professional can help address the issue effectively.

      • I use my cig. liter plug all the time, haven’t had any problems, but it does run a bit warm where it plugs into the unit. I have the Inogen G4.

        • It’s not uncommon for the plug area of a portable oxygen concentrator to feel warm when using the cigarette lighter adapter. The heat is usually generated due to the power transfer and the electrical components inside the concentrator. However, if you find that the plug area is excessively hot or if you notice any other unusual behavior or malfunctions, it’s important to contact the manufacturer or customer support for assistance.

    • Thank you for your inquiry, Curt. If you’ll refer to your owner’s manual for your specific unit, it will walk you through best practices for using and charging your unit in the car. If you have further questions, feel free to inquire with our Service Department at 877-303-9289.

  3. That malibu may have a programable power source, I’d go to a dealer and talk with them.My latest thing is A solar charging panel for my poc.I bought A small one but it’s not enough to indecate charge on the poc.I look to go bigger.

  4. I have an Inogen 3 which I bought primarily for flight and at altitude (Durango, CO.). I have not needed the concentrator at home, but bought an extra battery for long flights/backup. I have tried to keep the batteries in partial charge, but on trying to charge one of them, it was dead and would not take a charge. This is terrible; the back-up battery was very expensive and has seen very limited service and numbers of recharges. What do I do?

    • Thank you for your comment, Gary. How long did you have your battery stored for at a partial charge? It’s suggested by most manufacturers and listed in user manuals to preform a battery recalibration once a month. Have you been keeping up with this monthly task? Feel free to review our blog post on How to Care for and Maintain Your Concentrator Batteries here: Oxygen Concentrator Battery Care

  5. I have a Sequal and no matter what vehicle I use (I’ve tried a Chevy Avalanche, Saturn Vue, Chrysler 300, NIssan SUV and Lincoln Navigator) it stops running when plugged into the DC power with no battery in the unit. It gives a “no power” signal. I restart it and it’ll stay on for anywhere from 2 – 5 minutes, but that’s all.

      • Hi. I have an inogen G-5 . on top of it where It gets turn on.
        There , two lights are on.
        My understanding is that only the green light stays on. It also is making a funny noise like wooi, wou, wuo. Also is showing an arrow pointing down or toward my body. Thanks
        Teresa Carranza

  6. I have an inogen g3 and an inogen BA-306 car travel charger (2 of them). When I connect it in the car it will charge the first time connected but if I stop and get out and then get back in and reconnect it will provide power but not charging. It does this with any of the 3 batteries which are in good shape and both chargers. This happens in different vehicles and with all the variations of order of connection. Any suggestions?

    • Please contact our customer care team so that they can best assist you in troubleshooting your issue. They can be reached at 877-303-9289.

  7. You just replaced my car charger and it is not charging my Inogen 3 either. Is there some trick I am not aware of? My husbands phone charges up fine in his car which is where l am trying to use the Imogene

    • I have passed along your information to a specialist who will reach out regarding your request. For more immediate assistance feel free to give our customer care team a call so that they can best assist you in troubleshooting your issue. They can be reached at 877-303-9289.

  8. First of all, Thanks for such a great article You have included all the necessary info which is very helpful for a like me. After reading this, now I am able to use it properly.

  9. How do I carry my extra battery in car when out running errands? Is it safe to have in backpack next to concentrator or should I store in an insulated bag out of sunlight? I live in Houston texas.

    • Just keep it out of the direct sunlight best you can. If you don’t have it in direct sunlight you are likely fine. Keep in the trunk and/or in a shady part of the car where while it can get hot the direct sunlight through glass is much hotter. Also I would expect you are bringing the battery in after errands and not being left in the car. So the several hours out and about, the battery should be fine. Also if you are truly concerned, invest in some cooling packs (like for lunch boxes) and keep them in the bag with the battery. That will keep the bag a bit cooler than the car for several hours. Hope this helps!

  10. My mother is using the inogen one and the system read hot while out on road trip . What has ti be done ? I already removed battery and I unplugged the system from the car outlet .

    • Hi Vanessa, There is a couple things to try and diagnose this. If the machine gets hot when plugged into a wall outlet, you machine may need to be looked at. When your Mother is using the DC car charger, try either using or charging it but do not do both and see if this keeps the machine from getting hot. What is a common symptom of this is that the DC plug in a car does not always deliver the needed power. Next time you have the car serviced, have them check the DC plug and the volts it is delivering. If it is low then this might be the issue which is making the machine work really hard to do try and charge and work with a lower voltage coming into the machine.

  11. I use my Inogen 4 throughout the day,so convenient to get around the house and I’m getting more exercise. I use electric concentrator at night as Dr. said to do.Is it ok to use my portable through the day?

    • Glad to hear that your Inogen G4 is helping you with your exercise goals. It’s best to go with the doctor’s advice. At night many of us breathe through our mouth or may experience shallow breathing patterns. This will not trigger breath detection in a pulse dose unit and the oxygen concentrator will not supply ample oxygen. Though a pulse-dose unit can be 24/7, it’s best to use a continuous flow unit at night.

      • I have been experiencing low sats at night with a G5 machine (spikes down to 80 and occasionally in the 70’s). While I have a continuous flow that works fine at night, I very much want to use the pulse machine for a weeklong road trip and not have to take the larger continuous flow unit out of town. However, the pulse unit ALWAYS gives me a no-breathe alarm. I’ve also used an oxygen mask over my nose and mouth . . . . and the alarm STILL goes off. The alarm doesn’t wake me, but it wakes my wife and she says she can see my chest moving and even see vapor in my mask when I breathe, so it appears I’m breathing. It doesn’t seem possible that it’s not detecting a breathe. Have you heard something like this from anyone else?

        • Roger, thanks for your question.
          Inogen One G5 is a 24/7 unit and can be used day and night. However, since it’s a pulse-only machine, it works the best when the user inhales from the nose instead of the mouth. This is because inhaling from the nose creates ample negative pressure in the cannula and that triggers the intelligent delivery system in the portable concentrator. It’s not recommended to use a pulse-dose machine such as Inogen One G5 with a mask since this will not trigger breath detection and the ‘no-breathe’ alarm will go off. As is the case here.
          Blood oxygen saturation going down as low as 80s and 70s is not a good sign. It means that the unit is not fulfilling your oxygen needs at night. I would not suggest using the pulse flow at night and would recommend consulting your medical provider. Since I don’t know what oxygen setting you are on, I’d suggest the following options:
          1. Get a portable oxygen concentrator that can supply a continuous flow of oxygen. There are two options here:
          a) Philips Respironics SimplyGo – This unit supplies continuous flow up to 2 liters per minute (2 LPM), or up to a setting of six on pulse dose. The unit features a ‘night mode’ that makes breath detection highly sensitive on pulse mode and if no breath is detected it automatically goes to continuous flow. This is the lightest option for a continuous flow concentrator at 10 lbs and comes with a carrying cart.
          b) Caire Eclipse 5 – is also a portable concentrator that can supply continuous flow up to 3 liters per minute (3 LPM) and a setting of nine on pulse dose. This is the most powerful portable oxygen concentrator on the market. It weighs 18.4 pounds with a battery and also comes with a carrying cart.
          2. If your oxygen needs exceed 3 LPM, then you would have to look into stationary concentrators. You already have a stationary concentrator, but it’s not ‘Inogen At Home’ then check it out. It is the lightest stationary concentrator at 18 lbs and can supply up to 5 LPM. It is energy-efficient and the columns are user-replaceable. Moreover, you can purchase an optional travel case for the unit. Many of our customers go this route if they need 5 LPM for nighttime usage.
          If you have any other questions, our Oxygen Specialist would be happy to help you out. Please give us a call at (877) 644-4581.

      • I tape my mouth at night. Once the hospital company’s concentrator made a strange noise so I used my imogen 1g5 all night. I wear an O2 monitor ring with an alarm and no problem.

  12. RE: Auto-Stop feature on cars.
    I have a Chevy Equinox. It to has the auto-stop feature. Heres what I do that helps me. After approching a stop, notice when you come to a complete stop, the RPM needle will start to drop. Just as it does, lightly let up on the brake pedal (but NOT ENOUGH to disengage the brake. Doing this should keep the engine either running or will re-start your engine while stopped. Works great for me. Hope it helps.

  13. I just picked up my InogenOne G5 and when I got home I noticed an ‘N’ and a ‘W’ switch on the BA-306 plug but it is not mentioned in the manual.
    What is that

  14. My husband is on 5L’s 24/7, planning a trip to Florida, son in law driving us straight there. Received his portable oxygen a few weeks ago.
    Will the InogenOne G5 run 20 hours plugged into the cigarette lighter without problems

    • Hello Carol, The Inogen G5 can run 24/7 when plugged in. However, before a long road trip, we suggest trying out a shorter road trip for a few hours. In this shorter road trip, check how the unit is functioning, whether your car can supply sufficient power, and most importantly that the user maintains a healthy blood saturation percent.
      Moreover, always carry an alternate source of oxygen such as an oxygen tank for longer trips.

      • my concentrator cost me 3 thousand bucks! why didnt your guy tell me i couldnt sleep with it. This is robbery and a scam to make us buy 2 machines.

        • All portable oxygen concentrators we carry are compatible of 24/7 usage. However, if a patient breathes from the mouth pulse-dose concentrators won’t trigger the oxygen delivery and will set that unit on automatic flow. If the patients breathes from the nose at night the unit will work fine.
          Nevertheless, continuous flow units can be used day or night irrespective of whether a patient breathes from nose or mouth.

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