Heater alternatives

[Cedric]

Hi all

Yesterday's triumphant return to movement under own power was muted slightly by my treasured Smiths flat panel heater springing a leak.

As I look into a repair (hopefully a bit of soldering on an otherwise fully functioning item), I thought I'd risk accusations of heresy and ask about any alternatives.

A search revealed a couple of contenders:

This 12v electric one looked a bit cheap and nasty, and I'm not sure about how much juice it would draw or heat it would produce


https://www.amazon.co.uk/campervan-Defroster-Compact-600W%E2%80%91800W-Removing/dp/B0BTPDSPR3/ref=asc_df_B0BTPDSPR3/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=658839919415&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15069012759470110874&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046803&hvtargid=pla-2221436201711&psc=1&mcid=656271abd2393999aaf5a72f47c007b2

This kit car one looked like a good prospect, at a premium

https://www.demon-tweeks.com/demon-tweeks-lightweight-heater-tsdlwh/

Any thoughts based on experience?

Chris

[martinthefirst]

I used one of these and modified it to work with the smiths gubbins.

https://www.t7design.co.uk/3-5kw-lightweight-heater-with-side-vents-12v-187-d1e-05a.html

[gcc130]

I think I have a spare T7 Design one somewhere, I'll look it out if you're interested.

[Herald1360]

The 12V caravan thing is rated at 600-800W (which roughly ties in with 12V - 14V supply) so current draw would be ~ 50-58A. Not recommended without a heavy duty alternator and some serious cabling, power feed via heavy current relay would be a good idea! In any case <1kW in a draughty old series won't do much more than demisting duty.

The Demon Tweeks unit would probably be OK output wise but with only two outlets either some creative ducting or just driver's side only screen and footwell outlets would be needed.

[Neil Furness]

Clayton are the best

[Larry S]

I've been considering a vintage Colman tent heater.  I can build a base for it and secure it to my storage box in the tub.

[Phil2014]

The flat heater in my 2a works surprisingly well, relatively warm and demists the screen well, new cores are available.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282761385355?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=GU6uVGxKQGm&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=AjvYYwnBQiO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Phil.

[Exile]

Well that ^ was news to me!  

We are lucky that Charles Emberton is having more and more items remanufactured for our vehicles.

He even sells an "uprated" version of the matrix (for rather alot of money).

[Cedric]

Thanks all, some food for thought there.

The electric one looks like a false start, but the T7 adaptions look doable as does the Emberton replacement core.

Couldn't find anything other than the round heaters for the Clayton

I'll see what the matrix looks like when I get it apart, then decide from there.

[Wittsend]

Hat, scarf & gloves.

Old fleece to go over the knees ...

Oh, and electrically heated screens 

 

[Herald1360]

Don't forget the thermal socks!

My feet still remember a 100 mile trip in freezing temperatures in my 400E Thames (fitted with just one of those rubber sucker to the windscreen electric demisters) 

[Peter Holden]

I have a pair of those demisters in my laand rover

Peter