Blankets: 12 volt heated style

[Westy]

I just ran across this, battery powered heated blanket.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rumpl/the-rumpl-puffe-a-portable-battery-powered-heated/updates

 

[occasionaldirt]

I have a double-bed size electric mattress topper in the van, 110v running on a 600w xantrex prowatt inverter. Set on 3-4 of 8 max setting, draws less than 25 amp-hours in 6-8 hours. Makes a huge difference... no problem running it and a fridge and lights and device chargers and stereo for 2-4 day weekend trips. I have 2 105 amp Deka AGM marine house batteries.

 

[mojavephonebooth]

I can't sleep in a bag, so I use a Sunbeam full size electric blanket, set in level 3. I plug it into my goal Zero Yeti 400. it runs all night and keeps me nice and toasty. Then I recharge my Goal Zero from my Jeep if driving or my Honda EU1000 if camping.

 

[Outside somewhere]

I know this is an old thread but are there any updates for long term use?

Mainly interested in hearing about the mattress pad warmers and how they perform in the cold, say around zero F.

Curious how the cheaper ones perform as compared to the Electrowarmth.

Will have to check the brand name but I have two I bought at a pilot truck stop in Tennessee during the summer. They were normally $40 ea and they were on sale for $25 ea. I had looked online at options before that and they seem to run around $40 ea so I felt it was worth it. One **** the bed after two trips, had a buddy that knows wiring and stuff look the switch etc and he couldn't see a reason why it died. Speculation was an issue with the wires inside the blanket so in the trash it went. The other runs like a champ and has around 30 days of use on it. I feel it's luck of the draw with something like this as it's a typical mass produced junk chinese product. I wouldn't expect more than 12 months of life from it even at $40.00, I just bought it to have something until I could figure out a better option.

That option to me is something like an arkpak or other spare battery setup with an inverter and a real electric blanket or as said above something like a heated mattress pad. For me I can't see myself doing enough cold weather camping to justify $180+ on the mattress pad. $30-50 for a std electric blanket is much more feasible for me and one's I've had in the past have lasted for years. With that said I wouldn't waste my money on a 12v version again but that's me.

 

[Dozer Dan]

I use a regular 240v blanket in my JB. Running on a small inverter. I was concerned about the draw when I got it first and plugged in a multimeter between the inverter and the battery. 0.8A draw at the high setting.
I use it on high for an hour or so before going to bed to draw out the rawness out of the tent. I don't really need to run it all night unless it's really cold. I've been camping in freezing temperatures as late as last weekend and I woke up with it being too warm in the tent and had to turn the blanket off, slept in to 9:15 after that. Some of the other campers I spoke to in the morning had got very little sleep that night.
The domestic blankets are very good and energy efficient so I'd recommend one of them instead of a 12v one. Also keep in mind that most electric blankets require a pure sine inverter, won't work on a modified sine wave.

 

[CO_Hunter]

Great info thanks everyone.


Really surprised the draw on those AC blankets is so low, even with an inverter. Seems that may be the way to go.

@Dozer Dan

I just recently got a pure sine wave inverter. Any particular brands of blankets? Noticed you are in Ireland hence the 240v.

@occsasionaldirt

what brand are you running?

 

[Coachgeo]

so the interesting question is in dollar and cents is it more cost effective to:
1. warm sleeping spot with elec. blacket and keep cabin very cool (yet still warm enough to help pipes not freeze, if it is that cold) with
A) Diesel Heater
B) Propane Heater

Or
2. use A or B for higher cabin temps and use non elec. blanket?

Then again there is does one make or buy power?... as in... if you got good solar and/or wind helping charge batteries for elec. blanket then the Elec. blanket combined with cool cabin Temps while sleeping may well most cost effective route after initial cost.

Of course... Sub zero sleeping bags are amazing.... Ive had to climb out of them when it was 20 degrees out side cause I was sweating up an uncomfortable storm in the bag.

 

[Happykamper]

ROFLMAO This is freaking great !!! Thank you all, I won't sleep tonight thinking about this . And laughing

 

[Dozer Dan]

@CO_Hunder I have a Dreamland Intelliheat and it won't work with a modified sine. There's some more info here
http://www.electricblanketinstitute.com/heated-electric-blankets-with-inverters.html

 

[Outside somewhere]

ROFLMAO This is freaking great !!! Thank you all, I won't sleep tonight thinking about this . And laughing

Not tracking. What's funny?

 

[CO_Hunter]

Thanks Dozer Dan

Coachgeo

Used subzero bags over the years winter backpacking, hunting in subzero, sleeping in the back of trucks etc. Just got to where the mummy bags aren't that comfortable for me. Recently sleeping in small pop up (25 year old new to me Coleman) in a zero bag with 15 degree down bag as comforter over it. Temps were about -10 to -20 below zero F. Just looking for something to help in really cold temps while in the RTT or popup.

To each his own. The heated pad seemed like a low cost option. Have a deep cycle battery and solar charger.

Merry Christmas!!