DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Old Leafsprung Land Rovers
HTML https://ollr.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Technical tips & Questions
*****************************************************
#Post#: 82470--------------------------------------------------
Auxilliary Heater Battery Usage
DIR By: StuartN
Date: December 18, 2013, 2:50 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Ay up,
I run a 12v Auxilliary heater on the dash, the type that is dead
common in Halfords, ebay the likes.
I was wondering how long these can be run on a healthy battery
before I need to worry about battery life?
I was thinking it would be handy to set it running before I
actually need to set off to start to get some heat into the old
girl's cab and defrost the windows a bit.
It will run without the ignition on with how I have it wired.
Any ideas?
S :thumbs:
#Post#: 82472--------------------------------------------------
Re: Auxilliary Heater Battery Usage
DIR By: hippydave
Date: December 18, 2013, 2:53 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
i used one last year and it was fine to defrost if it had a long
run after to get power back in the battery, i let it run for
about 5 mins before staring the engine and it always started
with no probs, it was aimed at the drivers window to speed up
defrosting and help with the demisting.
#Post#: 82473--------------------------------------------------
Re: Auxilliary Heater Battery Usage
DIR By: Dave
Date: December 18, 2013, 2:57 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
If you're going to leave the little leccy heater on some time
before driving off, why not start the engine and leave it
running so you get some heat from both the leccy thing and the
motor's own heater? You won't have to worry about the battery
going flat then.
#Post#: 82475--------------------------------------------------
Re: Auxilliary Heater Battery Usage
DIR By: StuartN
Date: December 18, 2013, 3:00 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
But I would have to worry about some little scrote jumping in
and trying to reverse it off the drive, and in the process
probably driving it forwards straight into the wall.
I know its unlikely but I am of a disposition that would have me
worrying about leaving it running too much.
S :thumbs:
#Post#: 82479--------------------------------------------------
Re: Auxilliary Heater Battery Usage
DIR By: RMS
Date: December 18, 2013, 3:13 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
These are generally 150W which equates to about 10 to 12A
(depending on if engine is running or not).
That's well more than your headlights take!
Even with a good, fully charged battery, I wouldn't leave it on
for more than a couple of minutes, especially in very cold
weather when your battery capacity will already be compromised
:rolleye0012:
#Post#: 82481--------------------------------------------------
Re: Auxilliary Heater Battery Usage
DIR By: StuartN
Date: December 18, 2013, 3:17 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Aha a scientific answer. I like those, even if I don't fully
understand! Electrics isn't my strong point.
The last electrics I did I accidentally let the magic smoke out
of the wires.
S :thumbs:
#Post#: 82483--------------------------------------------------
Re: Auxilliary Heater Battery Usage
DIR By: Dave
Date: December 18, 2013, 3:32 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: StuartN link ---
>
> But I would have to worry about some little scrote jumping in
and trying to reverse it off the drive, and in the process
probably driving it forwards straight into the wall.
> I know its unlikely but I am of a disposition that would have
me worrying about leaving it running too much.
> S :thumbs:
>
--- End Quote ---
Fit a pedal lock and a steering lock, lock the doors and go
inside. No one's going to nick it if you keep an eye on it.
Or... If I was using mine every day and I parked it on the drive
I'd rig up a transformer to drop down 240v to 12v and plug it
into the heater when I park up. All you need do is flick the
switch on the wall in the house or garage on a morning and run
it for as long as you like until you're ready to go. Just
remember to disconnect the cable before you drive off!
#Post#: 82484--------------------------------------------------
Re: Auxilliary Heater Battery Usage
DIR By: StuartN
Date: December 18, 2013, 3:33 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Now there is an intriguing idea...
S :thumbs:
#Post#: 82485--------------------------------------------------
Re: Auxilliary Heater Battery Usage
DIR By: prof-pat-pending
Date: December 18, 2013, 3:33 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
if its parked on the drive -
why not put a 240v fan heater in and run it from an extension in
the house ?
you can turn it on as you have your brekky and then go out
unplug it and set off in the warm :rolleye0012:
#Post#: 82488--------------------------------------------------
Re: Auxilliary Heater Battery Usage
DIR By: StuartN
Date: December 18, 2013, 3:37 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Would take some thinking about cos I'm not the brightest spark
with electrics :toothless:
Definitely worth exploring.
But as we are now in the full swing of winter and I wouldn't get
that done for a while, any more ideas on the original post?
S :popcorn:
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 2
DIR Next Page