12V Electric blanket use ?

Just getting used to having a Leisure Battery with the Symphony as didn't have that luxury in my Doblo. So far ( off-campsite ) have benefited from the 12V lighting and the Blown-air Heating in short bursts. A question about using a 12V electric blanket. Would you just plug this straight into the 12V cig lighter thingie ? Not sure if that draws it's power from the leisure battery or not. Last thing I want to do is flatten my main Van battery... Thinking of ways of using the stored energy in the Leisure Battery whilst off EHU.

If the cig lighter socket you are refering to is in the cab, it will be a base vehicle manufacturers fitting and runs off the starter battery, do not use your blanket off this socket. if it is fitted in the habitation area it is probably fitted by AS and is much more likley to run off the leisure battery. However I would suspect that the electical load on the battery would be so high I would not use it except when on hookup, when the battery will be recieving a charge from the on board battery charger.


Brian2

Hi there,

May I ask what Watts are used by the blanket??

The reason I ask is that, as a general rule, using a battery to provide heat is the quickest way to a flat battery known to mankind!

Best regards,

I didn’t even know such things existed.

Just Googled it. Most people don’t even tell you the consumption. Those that do seem to average 4 to 5 amps so realistically something like 10 hours from a fully charged 70AH battery I’d guess.

That’s allowing for the odd light and the fact that you don’t want to flatten the battery too much. Then you have to be in a position to fully charge the battery the next day.

Might be ok for the odd night but I'd say it needs an EHU really.

Brod.

Thanks for your " observations " I was looking at ways of using the Leisure battery when not on EHU. I can run my Hot Air central heating ( butane ) to take the chill off but the 12 V leccie blanket I would have thought would not drain the Leisure Battery quite so fast, and I'd only want it on for a short period of time. ( spent a cold night off-site recently- and the bed was the coldest part despite down duvet etc. ).

Hi there,

Assuming that you had a decent solar charger to top up the battery I suppose it would be handy to have one on a nice sunny day.

Or, like my Mum (who was just full of the milk of human kindness) used to say "Cold are you? Put another sweater on then!"

Best regards,

Ian

Hi Minniesmum,
May be all right for 1/2 hour to warm the bed just before getting in but not for long periods. If you are a regular winter wild camper I would suggest you have an extra leisure battery to increase the capacity, ours are fitted under the drivers and passengers seats.


Brian2

murph wrote: Hi Minniesmum,
May be all right for 1/2 hour to warm the bed just before getting in but not for long periods. If you are a regular winter wild camper I would suggest you have an extra leasure to increase the capacity, ours are fitted under the drivers and passengers seat.


Brian2

Thanks Brian. getting a larger capacity leisure battery and possibly a second one ,are 2 of the options I've been considering..

Minniesmum wrote:getting a larger capacity leisure battery and possibly a second one ,are 2 of the options I've been considering..

In my opinion: just use more blankets! Cellular blankets are lightweight and really help.

-mojo- wrote:

Minniesmum wrote:getting a larger capacity leisure battery and possibly a second one ,are 2 of the options I've been considering..

In my opinion: just use more blankets! Cellular blankets are lightweight and really help.

I do more camping off EHU than on- particularly in better weather so the larger capacity leisure battery will help. I have plenty of blankets. They all add more bulk and require more storage space.

We use 2 sleeping bags, opened out for use as duvets, 1 in summer and 2 when it is colder, these are stored in 20x20 inch cushion covers to keep them tidy, and save space when not in use. Dont need to carry lots of blankets,and we have 2 scatter cushions.

Brian2

You can't beat a good hot-water bottle. What with that and the dog lying in my feet I'm as snug as the proverbial bug.

Ann B wrote:You can't beat a good hot-water bottle. What with that and the dog lying in my feet I'm as snug as the proverbial bug.

Agree on the dog my Jack Russell was the best bed-warmer ever... miss her..

Hi there,

Ah ....... the dogs!!

We had two English Springer Spaniels (Jake and Jessica) and for two winters I helped out a mate with forest protection work. We lived high up on the Scottish hills in an ancient caravan and on many mornings we woke up with frost on the inside of the windows; but I have to say that my two bed companions provided more than extra heat as the amusement value alone kept me laughing until I nodded off every night.

First, let me point out that both dogs normally lived outside in a kennel year-round, they were well used to cold weather (and had the pelts to prove it) and spent most days out on the hill working with us!

When it came to bed-time, Jake was just too big to get in between the two sleeping bags I slept in whereas Jessica could just wriggle in there if she judged the right moment when I turned over.

I would go to bed, the two dogs would jump on to the bunk and every night Jessica would pick her moment to wriggle inside, Jake would try to follow and Jessica would then start snarling at him as he made his attempt.

After about a minute or so, thoroughly defeated, Jake would then move down to my feet, lie there for a few seconds and then start to shiver as if he was being deep frozen into a hypothermic coma. He would keep up this performance until I shouted "Jake! Stop it!" at which point he would groan as if it was his last gasp and go to sleep.

God how I miss them - even after twelve years!

Best regards,

Ian

Dutto wrote:Hi there,

Ah ....... the dogs!!

We had two English Springer Spaniels (Jake and Jessica) and for two winters I helped out a mate with forest protection work. We lived high up on the Scottish hills in an ancient caravan and on many mornings we woke up with frost on the inside of the windows; but I have to say that my two bed companions provided more than extra heat as the amusement value alone kept me laughing until I nodded off every night.

First, let me point out that both dogs normally lived outside in a kennel year-round, they were well used to cold weather (and had the pelts to prove it) and spent most days out on the hill working with us!

When it came to bed-time, Jake was just too big to get in between the two sleeping bags I slept in whereas Jessica could just wriggle in there if she judged the right moment when I turned over.

I would go to bed, the two dogs would jump on to the bunk and every night Jessica would pick her moment to wriggle inside, Jake would try to follow and Jessica would then start snarling at him as he made his attempt.

After about a minute or so, thoroughly defeated, Jake would then move down to my feet, lie there for a few seconds and then start to shiver as if he was being deep frozen into a hypothermic coma. He would keep up this performance until I shouted "Jake! Stop it!" at which point he would groan as if it was his last gasp and go to sleep.

God how I miss them - even after twelve years!

Best regards,

Ian

Your doggie sleeping arrangements made me giggle thanks My Jack Russell Minnie was an only dog. She slept under the duvet stretched out alongside my leg. Loved it... Now that I'm retired considering another 4-legged hot-water bottle tho still not sure....Meanwhile will stick to in-animate objects for warmth

Dutto wrote:Hi there,

Ah ....... the dogs!!

We had two English Springer Spaniels (Jake and Jessica) and for two winters I helped out a mate with forest protection work. We lived high up on the Scottish hills in an ancient caravan and on many mornings we woke up with frost on the inside of the windows; but I have to say that my two bed companions provided more than extra heat as the amusement value alone kept me laughing until I nodded off every night.

First, let me point out that both dogs normally lived outside in a kennel year-round, they were well used to cold weather (and had the pelts to prove it) and spent most days out on the hill working with us!

When it came to bed-time, Jake was just too big to get in between the two sleeping bags I slept in whereas Jessica could just wriggle in there if she judged the right moment when I turned over.

I would go to bed, the two dogs would jump on to the bunk and every night Jessica would pick her moment to wriggle inside, Jake would try to follow and Jessica would then start snarling at him as he made his attempt.

After about a minute or so, thoroughly defeated, Jake would then move down to my feet, lie there for a few seconds and then start to shiver as if he was being deep frozen into a hypothermic coma. He would keep up this performance until I shouted "Jake! Stop it!" at which point he would groan as if it was his last gasp and go to sleep.

God how I miss them - even after twelve years!

Best regards,

Ian

Lovely story Ian. My little dog sleeps in a crate at home, she loves it and it is refuge when she is feeling a bit off or when there are fireworks around, but when we are away she gets the treat of sleeping on the van bed. She loves it (would sleep on our bed at home if we let her) and we get the benefit of some extra warmth.

Ann B wrote:

................. or when there are fireworks around, but when we are away she gets the treat of sleeping on the van bed. She loves it (would sleep on our bed at home if we let her) and we get the benefit of some extra warmth.

Hi there,

I appreciate that many dogs get frightened with fireworks or any loud bangs, but being gun-dogs Jake and Jessica weren't at all frightened.

One evening at Dunblane Hydro I happened to be out walking them when the hotel management started the Christmas Firework Display so I just stopped and with them sitting one on each foot we watched the whole display.

I have to say that on the really loud bangs they would both stand up and look up at me ready for the "Go fetch" command; and I swear that when the order didn't arrive they looked at each other with the look that said "Useless prat! He's missed it again!"

Best regards,

Ian

Me thinks its a trip to Go Outdoors for a good winter sleeping bag, wooly hat and a small Sig bottle. Use it as a hot water bottle(socks are recommended) and then for your brew in the morning. A personal Q But what do you wear in bed????that you feel the cold?

[quote="shelldrake"]Me thinks its a trip to Go Outdoors for a good winter sleeping bag, wooly hat and a small Sig bottle. Use it as a hot water bottle(socks are recommended) and then for your brew in the morning. A personal Q But what do you wear in bed????that you feel the cold?[/quote

I have a ton of wooly hats and several very warm duvets thanks I also now have a 12 V heating pad to warm up/ dry out my bed before I crawl in. Works a treat

Minniesmum wrote:............ 12 V heating pad to warm up/ dry out my bed before I crawl in. Works a treat

I think Tena pads would probably be a more socially acceptable option!



Best regards,

Ian

A decent sleeping bag is the obvious option. Get the sort that people who go walking with their tents in the middle of winter use (4 season). If it works under canvas in sub zero temperatures then the only problem in a motorhome is that you'll overheat. The modern ones are also extremely light and pack down to nothing. £100 will get you something spectacular, but less than half that will get something which works.

All sorted thanks;) toasty

[quote="Dutto"]

Minniesmum wrote:............ 12 V heating pad to warm up/ dry out my bed before I crawl in. Works a treat

I think Tena pads would probably be a more socially acceptable option!



Best regards,

Ian[/quote/ " Socially acceptable " has never been my style

[quote="Minniesmum"]

Dutto wrote:

Minniesmum wrote:............ 12 V heating pad to warm up/ dry out my bed before I crawl in. Works a treat

I think Tena pads would probably be a more socially acceptable option!



Best regards,

Ian[/quote/ " Socially acceptable " has never been my style

Well said!!

Enjoy the blanket!

Best regards,

Ian

My wife has never been cold in the M/H Possible due to the fact that she snuggles into me and luckily I don't feel the cold!