Someone school me on electric blankets

Not really sure where to post this, so I'll do it in the all-up 2nd Gen section. Mods, please feel free to move if it's in the wrong spot.

I'm going to be doing some overnighting at ski areas this winter. I have a 6' bed with an insulated Leer hi-top shell over it and sleeping platform in the back with a cheapie inflatable sleeping pad I got off Amazon for $50. Also have a 0 degree North Face synthetic sleeping bag and some Reflectix to throw under me.

I've done this before, but I was by myself. I took a Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Lithium and a 12"x12" heating pad for the nights it got super-cold. This time, I will be taking my dog. She's getting oder (9.5 years now) and I don't want to come back at lunch to a frozen pup. She'll have the entire bed area to herself with lots of blankets during the day, but I'm still worried about her joints getting stiff or it being too cold for her. Also, I may just want to enjoy the warmth myself now and then.

Enter, the electric blanket. I know a lot of long-haul people use them, but I cannot seem to find decent info. I'm hoping to run the same setup - Goal Zero Yeti supplying power to the blanket with either a solar setup, possibly wind power, and re-charging whenever I can. I don't want to run it off the main battery since I will probably drain it.

Anyone know a good electric blanket that will stay on for several hours (no automatic cutoff) and will work with the Yeti's supply? I believe it is a 12v max output through both the outlets and the "cigarette lighter" connection. Most blankets I have seen are at minimum 12.5v.

Also, happy to be lectured on electricity and voltage. Definitely not my strongest area of expertise.

 

Something like this:

Roadpro BlackCanyon Outfitters RPHB-110DB 12-Volt Polar Fleece Heated Travel Blanket

https://www.amazon.com/Roadpro-12-Volt-Fleece-Heated-Blanket/dp/B0009Y2CFS

That one is 55 watts.

The equation for power is P=IV, where P is power in watts, I is current in Amps and V is voltage. So at 12 Volts, its pulling 55/12 = 4.58A

Looks like the goal zero has 96.8Ah of capacity, so at 4.58A, you'd have 96.8/4.68=21 hours of heat if you ran it all the way flat.

I wouldn't worry too much about the voltage, those are effectively just a big resistor (unless they've got some electronics to make them adjustable). Resistors don't care what their input voltage is.

 

Thanks, @0xDEADBEEF!

 

Use adeep cycle marine battery

 

Probably cheaper than a goal zero in the long run.


i know a guy who built his own big lithium ion pack. He uses it to run his laptop, and a coffee maker, while he's out in the field. His high end gaming laptop lasts all day crunching through sonar data on that thing. And he's got coffee to drink!

 

Probably, but I already own the Yeti. X-mas gift.

 

Ok. Worse case scenario. You leave the truck , heating blanket on, it shorts and starts a fire. You won’t have to worry about the frozen pup or driving home. Just food for thought.

 

For your doggy you could get him/her a insulated vest.

 

This I know for sure, they all eventually stop working.

 

This has crossed my mind.

 

Actually, I hadn't really thought of that. She doesn't really like to wear certain things, but loves her harness and trail pack. This way, I could just use the heating pad to keep her water unfrozen.

I've also thought about a ceramic heater, but those seem like more of a hazard to catch something on fire or burn her nose/paws.

 

I can send you some extra dog hair. Between my 8 Pomeranians, you’ll have enough to knit a sweater for you and your dog...

 

Ha! Please no. She sheds enough as it is. I should just stockpile that and build a nest.

 

!

 

Yeah, if I could just monetize fuzz, I’d be set for life!

 

OP, very interesting question. I am curious as well.

Couple of thoughts. First, there are a bunch of electric blankets that plug into your car lighter. Not ideal but I wonder if this would work with your charger?
https://www.amazon.com/Sojoy-Electr...&sprefix=battery+operated+elec,aps,144&sr=8-6

Other option is hot water bottle between a blanket. You could use the electric to heat water and fill and then put in between a blanket to create a warm bed. I had a buddy who would heat up a few of those and then put it between one of those foil blankets and then lay a blanket over it. It lasted longer than I thought it would. Not hot but warm. He would then reheat using his camping stove.

There are also USB plug in electric blankets on Amazon ... they appear to be low voltage and could be a good option but I defer to the experts on that.

Let me know what you find out. It would be good for me to learn from your experience as well.

 

I would not leave my dog in the back of the truck with a heater or electric blanket on. To much chance for something to go really wrong. In fact I wouldn’t leave my dog in the back of my truck for any length of time when I couldn’t see him. Lots of reasons, dog could get himself/herself into trouble quickly lots of ways. A thief could break into the back of your truck and your dog runs off and is lost. I know you love your dog but taking her skiing and leaving her unattended for hours and hours is not a good thing for her. Plus your ski trip becomes a hassle having to take care of her. Find a good kennel/boarding facility and board her for a couple days while you are away. That way she’s safe and you are hassle free to do whatever you want.

 

Is this just because of poor product design? Or, is there just not a large enough market to make it worthwhile?

 

some have found dogs will chew the blanket

some sort o fascination the voltage draws some dogs

its great to prewarm the sleeping area

im cold natured........tried using several electric blankets

my legs Ache !!!!!( others have made same comments )

a result of the inductive voltage

major truck stops have the Bunk Heater U refer to

be certain the disadvantage dont result in issues