#115874 - 12/14/07 05:14 AM
electric blanket
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Cranky Geek
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 09/08/05
Posts: 4642
Loc: Vermont
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I finally remembered what I was going to ask about earlier.
Most of us have inverters in our cars, so we should be able to power a small electric blanket or large hot pad. Which one is more efficient:
-running the car every so often to recharge the battery a little bit, then turn it off and stay with the battery? -running the car every so often to reheat an entire cabin full of air?
I'm not talking anythign huge, just like a crib warmer or something. Put it under you in the car seat, with a blanket over you. Turn the electric on for say 15 minutes every hour. Or will it draw too much charge off the battery?
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When a man dare not speak without malice for fear of giving insult, that is when truth starts to die. Truth is the truest freedom.
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#115879 - 12/14/07 01:39 PM
Re: electric blanket
[Re: ironraven]
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Old Hand
Registered: 11/27/06
Posts: 707
Loc: Alamogordo, NM
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Well, that depends how many amps the blanket will draw. In colder weather, I think it's harder for the battery to work at its maximum efficiency, so I'd be tempted to err on the safe side and run the car longer than normal. I mean to say, I'd be less likely to use the blanket while the engine was off.
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DON'T BE SCARED -Stretch
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#115884 - 12/14/07 02:16 PM
Re: electric blanket
[Re: ironraven]
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INTERCEPTOR
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 07/15/02
Posts: 3760
Loc: TX
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#115922 - 12/14/07 07:39 PM
Re: electric blanket
[Re: Blast]
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Old Hand
Registered: 11/27/06
Posts: 707
Loc: Alamogordo, NM
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I think I might be tempted to take a good car battery, on its own, and see how long it'll run the blanket before it dies. That would at least give an idea of what to expect.
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DON'T BE SCARED -Stretch
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#115968 - 12/15/07 02:09 AM
Re: electric blanket
[Re: Stretch]
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Crazy Canuck
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 02/03/07
Posts: 3240
Loc: Alberta, Canada
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I think I might be tempted to take a good car battery, on its own, and see how long it'll run the blanket before it dies. That would at least give an idea of what to expect. You could, but I'm not sure that's a good idea. As I understand it, a standard car battery can suffer permanent damage, or have its service life reduced, by a severe discharge. Most inverters cut out at around 10.6 volts DC to prevent this.
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#115984 - 12/15/07 03:22 AM
Re: electric blanket
[Re: dougwalkabout]
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Addict
Registered: 11/13/07
Posts: 471
Loc: London England
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Why not just carry a full size duvet? You are in a car; youv'e room. The Sock
_________________________
The world is in haste and nears its end – Wulfstan II Archbishop of York 1014.
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#115987 - 12/15/07 03:56 AM
Re: electric blanket
[Re: TheSock]
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Geezer in Chief
Geezer
Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
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I'm with you on this one. I would carry adequate warmies that are non electrical. I wouldn't want to depend on a car battery for something as vital as warmth - keep it for starting the car.
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#115996 - 12/15/07 04:56 AM
Re: electric blanket
[Re: hikermor]
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Old Hand
Registered: 11/26/06
Posts: 724
Loc: Sterling, Virginia, United Sta...
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I also agree. Using an electric blanket assumes that you will have the vehicle and power. If you have to leave the vehicle for any reason, the electric blanket isn’t going to help you much.
_________________________
“Hiking is just walking where it’s okay to pee. Sometimes old people hike by mistake.” — Demitri Martin
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#115999 - 12/15/07 06:42 AM
Re: electric blanket
[Re: JCWohlschlag]
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Enthusiast
Registered: 01/08/04
Posts: 351
Loc: Centre Hall Pa
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I would only recommend the idea if you equip the vehicle with duel batteries. This is a standard set up many 4 wheelers use. High draw and most acessories draw from the second battery. Then rvrn if the battery gets too low the primary battery is used to start the vehicle which in turn recharges both.
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When in danger or in doubt run in circles scream and shout RAH
And always remember TANSTAAFL
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