Electric Heater recommendations

[Leecbr]

Hey Guys,

I was thinking of installing an electric heater in the cobra. I know they make the coolant attachment/vintage style heaters for our cars.

I was looking at electric for convenience. Are any of you guys using electric heaters? What is a good brand/company?

Has anyone used this particular Heater?
I found this one on line.

USA Made 12 Volt Ducted Electric Heater

It looks pretty good and easy to install.
SD 12-5000 (2 vent) 12volt 600 watt 10,020 btu 50 amps ..is the one I'm wanting to purchase.

Any recommendations or suggestions would be great.

Thanks,

Lee

[Barnsnake]

I've never seen one of those, so I can't speak from experience, but here's my take on the pros and cons:

Positive:
I expect the installation is pretty simple.
It will make heat before the engine warms up.
It will make heat without the engine running (while discharging the battery).

Negative:
That's a WHOPPING load on the alternator and wiring.
The alternator load is parasitic on performance while a hot-water system is neutral or a benefit.
There is an immense source of heat two feet in front of the dash that we spend power and money to get rid of. Why not use it if you want cockpit heat?

[CobraEd]

I agree, you could easily fry your alternator and/or voltage regulator. This is why the old air cooled cars of yore never used electric heaters.


.

[Rich_ACC]

Maybe as an option... going to heated seats. Before anyone goes off the deep end with why would you ever think of doing such a DA thing I can say that it works. Having them in the car keeps upper body warm and does no harm to the Alt if wired correctly. He said 26,000 miles later. Also, my home boss will ride in the cold months.

Happy Holidays to All

Rich

[patrickt]

Lee, most of us use something like the pic of I have of mine below. It's a Maradyne 5000 box and it's about as simple as it gets. Little doorways on the sides that open and close and there's a fan built in as well with ducts that can go up to the dash defrosters. Mounting bracket and two holes through the firewall and you're done. Here are the specs for it: Model 5000 Heater

[DanEC]

I'm not sure 600 watts of heat is going to be that impressive in a roadster, even with a top on. That's kind of like a powerful hair drier.

[Leecbr]

I was worried about the electrical load being put on the alternator etc. I agree with you guys using the resources available with the hot engine coolant would be best.
A couple rubber heater hoses, a couple holes in the fire wall, a few mounting brackets and I can be done.

The 5000 heater looks good. I know Vintage air makes some good compact heaters too. There heaters have options for the door panels like the 5000. The ones with vent holes to channel the heat with tubes to the floor/feet are what I'm leaning towards.

Vintage Air 506101 - Vintage Air Gen-II Heaters - Overview - SummitRacing.com
ATK991102-1 Compact Heater : Welcome to Flying A Motorsports & RJays Speed Shop!
VAA506101 Gen II Heater with Defrost : Welcome to Flying A Motorsports & RJays Speed Shop!



I don't drive the cobra when it's super cold. I was wanting to add some comfort for my wife. I know if she is comfy then she will be able to enjoy some later season and earlier spring drives. I'll bundle up and be fine in any temp..I just hate seeing my wife uncomfortable or my daughter missing out on some drives.

There is always those hand and foot warmer packs..ha ha ..


Thanks for the advice guys..


Lee

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Leecbr

I just hate seeing my wife uncomfortable or my daughter missing out on some drives.

Lee, in that case, and before I dropped my dash and drilled my firewall, I'd buy her a snuggly fleeced 12v electric blanket like this http://www.amazon.com/Heated-Fleece-.../dp/B000V8QVX6 Frankly, it will work better than the heater.

[Leecbr]

Patrickt

Good point.. Yeah that might be the cheapest route..There is that other item the snuggle blanket..

lee

[Luce]

"That's kind of like a powerful hair drier. "

No, that's like a weak hair dryer. Most are 1200-1500Watts.

I think you'll be sorely disappointed with it's performance, if your Alternator survives it.

Seat heaters are effective, although still a sizable load on you electrical system, because the heat is conducted into your flesh instead of wafting out the missing roof.

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Lee, in that case, and before I dropped my dash and drilled my firewall, I'd buy her a snuggly fleeced 12v electric blanket like this http://www.amazon.com/Heated-Fleece-.../dp/B000V8QVX6 Frankly, it will work better than the heater.

The electric blanket is a great option.

The other option is a heated seat pad that you can pull out and plug in when needed. I've got one and it works really well.

http://www.amazon.com/Wagan-IN9738-5...4088802&sr=8-1

[RallySnake]

Lee,

I have survived 6 Starlite rallies in my open Cobra. I drove from Santa Barbara to Las Vegas on the second weekend in December and we were actually on the road for more than 12 hours. I had heaters from pickup trucks installed into each foot box. In 30 degree weather at more than 45 mph you cannot feel them. The rally almost killed me 6 times, but what a blast it was!

The 7th time, I put a hard top on my car. It's a good thing too because it rained most of the time. The droning noise of the drive train contained by the top and the lack of view took most of the fun out of the experience. But, we were not cold.

I bought an electric blanket for my wife for the No Frills Iron Bottom Motoring Tour which lasted 3 days in the California central valley. She still complains about the bitter cold while going over the Angeles Crest mountain pass in spite of the best ski clothes money can buy, the electric blanket and a truck heater blowing up her legs. I was pretty comfortable probably because I was working so hard to keep the beast on the road (rain, snow and ice) and pass every car we encountered.

A couple of years ago, they put on another Starlite. I finally figured it out. Just buy two electric jackets and one pair of electric gloves
from these folks: Gerbing's Heated Clothing // The World's Warmest Clothing!. You have to get the temperature controllers too, otherwise the jackets will burn you. You will also need a balaclava for your head from eBay. With this gear, we have run rallies with temperatures in the 30's with no problem. The jackets work amazingly well and the gloves plug into connectors at the ends of the sleeves and keeps your hands warm. On the rally, they worked so well that we had to take the balaclavas off and just use ski caps. The heat applied to your torso keeps your extremities warm too. This is, by far, the best solution.

RS

[Leecbr]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions they have been very helpful.

Rallysnake,

Thanks..This is just what I wanted to hear. I was wondering how well the heaters worked at speeds over 50 in an open cab and below 38*. It's good to hear your experiences. That sounds really fun and scary reading your Rally excursions. I too drive my cobra late into the year. I had it out last week.

I think the electric jackets/gloves are a better solution than the electric blanket or heaters. It looks like their gear come with an option for electric 12v connection or batteries. We are going to get the vests, gloves and socks. Did you get the jacket? It looks like the jacket doesn't have a temperature setting.

Thanks Rallysnake for your input it was very helpful. I like your cobra..Looks alot like ours..Red with no stripes.




Lee

[Chilibit]

I have used these for five years.

Automotive Seat Heaters

Plenty warm as a supplement to the Superformance factory heater. I use them on Kirkey Drag buckets and they will keep you toasty into the 20's. I don't bother with the top.

The electrical load has not been an issue in the least. I run mine directly off the rear mounted battery through an ignition switched relay.

[Leecbr]

Chilibit,

This would be a great choice too. We kind of like the clothing because we could use them for snowshoeing/camping trips as well. I need to install a couple 12v power outlets so I can use the seat warmers. I can plug the vests and clothes into them also..

Thanks for the link..It nice to have the links to save into my favorites..My folder is getting really full of cool links provided by you guys..

Have a good holiday season everyone..

Lee

[johnkn]

The heated clothing referenced above works great, and the plugs are easy to install, easily hidden when not in use, and draws little current.

[bobcowan]

The first car I built had a heater. Worked great sitting at lights or moving in slow city traffic. But with anything over about 45-50mph, it was pretty useless. For the second car I didn't install a heater at all.

A firend of mine put a velcro strip along the bottom of his dash. And he has a blanket with a matching velcro strip. He attaches the blanket to the bottom of the dash, and tucks it aorund his and the passengers waist. That traps the hot air around their legs and lower torso. He says it works great in some pretty cold temps.

I bought my wife a battery powered vest. It really keeps her warm; and she can use it outside of the car. I have a pair of battery powered gloves from Gerbing that work well in a lot of situations and vehicles. The vest and gloves will easily last 5-6 hours on a single charge. I have a power outlet in the trunk, so it's easy to charge spare batteries while we're driving.

Personally, I don't feel the cold that much. I wear 1-2 layers and a good pair of gloves, and I'm good to about 20*.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by Luce

"That's kind of like a powerful hair drier. "

No, that's like a weak hair dryer. Most are 1200-1500Watts.

I think you'll be sorely disappointed with it's performance, if your Alternator survives it.

Seat heaters are effective, although still a sizable load on you electrical system, because the heat is conducted into your flesh instead of wafting out the missing roof.

You have to understand - I haven't had a hair dryer since about 1975. 500 watts back then was pretty good.

Don't discount the hand and foot warmer packs. My wife loves them.

[mdross1]

An early MG-B heater assembly fit my car like a glove including the defrost.Also used the MG's windshield wiper assembly.

[Luce]

I use my wifes hand me down hair dryer as a garage heater. It's 100% efficient! I had to clean the lint out of the air intake so it wouldn't overheat and cycle off though. It also works good to pre warm small parts prior to getting some rattle can love on cold days.