strath 4 Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 Hi I have an old friend living on his yacht, no shore power, who has been inquiring as to whether 12 volt electric blankets are available in NZ ? He wants to be able to plug into a cigarette light plug, as he does not want to go down the inverter road. Question; how much power do they use ?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
erice 732 Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 electric heating by battery very bad idea 50 watts 4.2 amps http://www.roadtrucker.com/12-volt-heating/12-volt-heating.htm these things are sold to be used with running engines not stopped ones Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,235 Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 I echo what Erice said. Bad idea. Use a hot water bottle with good insulation, will last all night. A good hot water bottle, in a good cover, is pretty efficient and uses no electricity - but a bit of gas to heat the water... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tuffyluffy 76 Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 Concur with what the others have said. 12v heating elements just dont work. I bought a 12v kettle on a whim and it was a complete waste of money, without the engine running it took 3 days to boil and nearly flattened my batteries. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
erice 732 Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 ^ that's where i learned too 12v kettle + bike bike - small car battery = 50C water + flat battery Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Adrianp 120 Posted June 17, 2016 Share Posted June 17, 2016 My Dad is travelling the world in a campervan - currently in Europe in his Aussie Campervan. Their only form of heating, other than the van engine when travelling, is a 12v Elevtric Blanket for the bed and they swear by it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
erice 732 Posted June 17, 2016 Share Posted June 17, 2016 on a normal elec blanket there are different warmth settings but is there a thermostat? the 4.2amps quoted on the american truck site would suck half a new 80amp car battery over a long, 10hr winter night.........which would soon kill it but if that is only max current draw on a multi-setting thermostat? controlled blanket powered by a large set of house batteries it should be ok.... here's another one in the states, doesn't seem to be any mention of variable settings or thermostats 100% Polar Fleece Material Plugs Directly Into Your Cigarette Lighter Socket 8 ft. Power Cord with LED Indicator on the Plug Blanket Folds Easily for Storage in the Included Zippered Bag (included) 4.6 Amp Low Amp Draw (55 Watts) https://www.amazon.com/Roadpro-12-Volt-Fleece-Heated-Blanket/dp/B0009Y2CFS Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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