12v. heater

[Tom Kurth]

Recently purchased a plug in 12v. defroster for our old pick-up. Haven't even taken it out of the package yet. Lightening struck this AM though. Would it work as a heater for those with 12v. systems in their teardrops? Perhaps, just to warm up before getting out of the sack. Just took it out of the pkg. Draws 13A. Max temp--199F. Purchased at Tru Value Hardware. Brand: Peak.

Best,
Tom

[dexstrom]

I bought one several years ago and it was worthless as a defroster, blows a little air but it's not hot, just a little warmer than the ambient temp. in the car. I doubt it would warm anything in a trailer.

[mustangcats]

I Googled the Peak 12 volt defroster and read the reviews on Amazon. Almost all were bad...and the general consensus was they are worthless. I almost bought a 12 coffee maker until I read the reviews...took about a half hour to make a small pot of terrible tasting coffee that wasn't very hot. 12 volts is not enough for heat producing appliances. The question is why do they keep making these inferior products?

[MtnDon]

Many inferior products continue to be sold because there is a market for something that sounds good.

12 volts x 13 amps = 156 watts. That is low on the heating scale. Consider that a typical 120 VAC heater is 1500 watts. Nuff said. IMO.

[Vedette]

I agree with Don!
Brian

[KennethW]

{{ The question is why do they keep making these inferior products?}}
Raise your hand if you bought one of them. That is the answer to the Why.

The heaters do have a nice heave cord to be used on some thing.

[tony.latham]

I had one of those in my old Hunter. It put out about zero heat while it sucked on the battery. I think what it was good for was marketing a teardrop with a heater.

I've got a 12V electric blanket with a 30/45 minute timer that does a wonderful job of preheating the bed. It uses about 4 amp/hours; I put it under the covers.

T

[Tom Kurth]

Glad it only cost $10.

Tom

[Nobody]

When my TD was fairly new (built 2006) I bought one of the little Harbor Freight 12vdc heater/defroster units on sale for under $10. As previously stated I wouldn't try to heat a normal size TD with it. I did use it however on a hunting trip to southern Illinois. Overnight temp dropped to 18 degrees-F. I have a 'pull-out' shelf under the cabinets in my TD cabin with a 12vdc 'cigarette lighter' type outlet nearby. About 10-15 minutes before going to bed I pulled the shelf out, plugged in the heater/defroster, & by the time I went to bed I was able to undress without discomfort or being cold. Next morning when the alarm went off I turned on the heater/defroster & within 10-15 minutes I was able to dress, again without discomfort (other than trying to pull insulated underwear & my pants on while lying down ). That little unit actually raised the ambient air temp enough inside the TD to mitigate the cold while dressing. Only thing was after about a half dozen uses the switch 'locked' up & then came apart. Since it was built into the plastic case I couldn't figure out a way to repair/replace it. It had a sliding scale temp control but I just kept it on max (possibly a reason for the switch going south??). Haven't tried another one since; I just 'bite the bullet' & endure a few moments of discomfort while dressing or undressing. my TD is so well insulated that with the 6 1/2" of mattress, a couple of small fleece sleeping bags for sheets, & my 20 below sleeping bag as a comforter, we're perfectly comfortable in any weather we'd feel like camping in...