12v cabin heater/defroster?

[cephraim]

Yup - Full radiator block (during winter), engine block heater, the works...

I'm thinking about getting a small heater anyhow just so they THINK it's getting warmer! ;-)

[guudasitgets]

try and engine heater

[cephraim]

Originally Posted by guudasitgets

try and engine heater

Ummm.... Ok.

[The Atomic Ass]

Originally Posted by cephraim

Yeah, that's an option. Wifey already has issues with my block heater cord attached to my car. Not sure having another cord going into my cabin will pass the "Wife Approval Test". Plus, I'd also like a portable solution for when the car's been sitting in the parking lot at work or at a store/gym.

Eph

I don't think you'll find a "good" solution that does not involve plugging in. Except perhaps Gerbing jackets for your passengers.

As for an interior heater, does your car have a fold down rear seat for putting long crap in the trunk? Fold that down and have a small box fan/heater sitting in the trunk, and run the wire up to tie in with your block heater. One plug, no problem. Just get a heater with a thermostat so it stops when the car is a comfortable 80F...

[The Atomic Ass]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

That's not likely to be available from your car's cigaratte lighter receptacle, which is probably fused at around 20 amps.

All the ones I've worked with used 18ga wiring and were fused for 10A. I wouldn't even want to draw that much from it, really.

[jamesqf]

OK, I was just going from memory. Bottom line, though, is that you're probably not going to get much more heat from it than you would from the cigarette lighter.

Quite aside from that, a lot of this discussion puzzles me. This board is supposed to be about using less energy, no? So how much excess electricity would go into running an electric cabin heater? Or even a block heater, if it's left on for long periods?

[Daox]

An electric heater and block heater are far superior to idling your vehicle for it to warm up. Obviously if you can handle the cold that is the best way to go, but in some cases this isn't possible. For instance, my wife transports plants for her job. So, some days the car needs to warm up before she puts them in the car.

[tasdrouille]

I have a 12 volt heater I use in my TDI. I don't turn on the heat in my car until the water temp is at least 100 F and I use the 12v heater in the meantime. I also shut down the heat when idling.

It's useless to heat the cabin. It could keep your bare hands warm provided you keep them within a couple inches from the heater, but that's it. I got it velcroed right next to the windshield to keep a tiny spot from freezing over, so I can still see something until I get warm air from the heat exchanger.

It also have the advantage of putting an additional load on the engine, though not much, which helps it warm up faster.

[The Atomic Ass]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

So how much excess electricity would go into running an electric cabin heater? Or even a block heater, if it's left on for long periods?

One wouldn't want to leave a block heater on for long periods anyway. Or a cabin heater, for that matter. Fire hazard and all. We're talking about the kind of setup where it's either on a timer, or plugged in by hand in the morning.

As for energy, I've heard of block heaters as heavy duty as 1,000w, which would naturally use 1kwh for each hour of operation. If I could start my Burgman at full operating temperature each and every trip, my fuel consumption would be much closer to 65mpg. Right now it's hovering around 53-54. The fuel saved there would more than make up for 1kwh of electricity.

[JMags]

I had a 15 amp 12v cigarette lighter heater. Was worthless for warming the car, makes you think it is though. The bearing in the fan has already kicked the bucket after 1-1/2seasons use too.