Anybody ever use a 12 Volt heater?

[Ruadhd2]

Can't stay out of my car in winter. It has a top and side curtains, but.....

 

Thinking about something like this (Don't ask me where I'll mount it!):

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/12-VOLT-CERAMIC-HEATER-CAR-VAN-RV-PORTABLE-\NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2c5934c952QQitemZ190475192658QQptZLHQ5fDefaultDomainQ5f100

 

or this:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/12v-12-Volt-Auto-Car-Heater-Defroster-RV-Tent-s-/150522705525?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230bda3675

 

or this:

 

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/12-VOLT-CERAMIC-HEATER-CAR-VAN-RV-PORTABLE-MARINE-/310276641209?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item483dedd1b9

or this:

 

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/American-Auto-12-Volt-Car-Heater-Defroster-Fan-93-2000-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1c170b9546QQitemZ120645719366QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[11Budlite]

No experience with those electric heaters so I can't comment on that.

 

I really think in a car like a Seven you should try to heat the driver/passenger and not the car itself. There's just too much air/buffeting to contend with. I've had very good luck driving this season with no top and doors by using Gerbing heated clothing. I have a heated jacket liner that I wear under a hooded sweatshirt or leather jacket, along with a balaclava and insulated gloves and I've been able to continue driving comfortably with temps dropping down into the 20's. It really is surprising how well it works. Sometimes my left (outside) hand will start to get a little cool because of the airflow so I'll just rest it on the muffler to warm it up a little! If I decided to install the doors my hands would never get cold, or if they did I could get some of the heated gloves that plug into the jacket. You can check them out here: [/url]http://gerbing.com/

 

Lots of strange looks, but I'll still be driving the Birkin until the first ice/snow falls and they start salting the roads.

[WestTexasS2K]

7evin and I used the Gerbing heated motorcycle jackets too. They have a rotary style thermostat to adjust for comfort. Like Budlite suggest we just used a heated liner that we wear under a insulated jacket with wind resistant shell. It keeps the whole body warm. Just a good insulated set of gloves and a helmet and you can motor all day in sub 20 weather if you wish. I found I had to keep the thermostat in low for most conditions 35 and above. It uses a simple twelve volt plug that we had wired by our seats and it draws little current, just sit down put the belts on and plug into the car and you are nice and toasty.

[Ruadhd2]

Great info. Thanks

[jvbtte]

I take the pedal box cover off , the heat from the engine heats the car

down into the 30s below 30 motorcycle heated vest

[Paul Hill]

I tried to heat the cab of my garden tractor with one of the 12V units way back when... was a total waste of time!

You'd do better with a couple Bic lighters in my opinion.....

 

Have you considered going to one similar to the newer Caterhams? We use a small auxiliary automotive heater in the back of our motor home, will drive you out in no time, even in sub-zero temps. That would at least keep your feet warm, maybe more if you devised a modified tonneau cover that zipped up around your neck! :driving:

[pi7ot]

Those 12v plug heaters are a joke.

You're miles ahead with heated clothing.

 

if you stick a set of R compound tyres on the car for winter, you'll be way too busy to care or notice the lack of heat in the cockpit :jester:

 

 

m

[a.moore]

If it is a requirement that you have it for the defroster, then it heats fine.

 

If you want something to actually warm the occupants, don't bother. I have the one in the first link (Harbor Freight sells it regularly for $9.99 btw). Calling it a heater is a bit optimistic.

[solder_guy]

Those 12v plug heaters are a joke.

 

Agreed. I had one for a brief time .. gave it to a thrift store.

[Ruadhd2]

The deal is that I have been deprived of my car for months, as it has been in the hands of various mechanics who took their time getting things done. So I had no 7 to drive until winter hit. Now that I have a car that runs reliably, I am defying the elements and common sense and enjoying it during the break-in period. Got a Baclava or whatever non-confection it is that one wears around one's head to look like a terrorist and am bundled up nicely, but now need to do something to keep the feet warm - then I'm good to go. Also, being a cheapskate who will die from terminal parsimony, I am looking for the least expensive way to keep the tootsies warm. So, determined to drive the creature from which I have been deprived so long, I just need to keep my toes from falling off and then off we go.

[MightyMike]

Sounds like the right thing to do. Enjoy your driving!

[scannon]

but now need to do something to keep the feet warm - then I'm good to go. Also, being a cheapskate who will die from terminal parsimony, I am looking for the least expensive way to keep the tootsies warm. So, determined to drive the creature from which I have been deprived so long, I just need to keep my toes from falling off and then off we go.

 

^^^Heated socks. Or remove the pedal box cover and let the exhaust heat in on your feet.