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Using the heater before you go to bed and just before you get out of bed means the tent is warm when you are partially clothed.. You still use an appropriately rated sleeping bag for the temperature outside.
Best tent heater? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter cbmontgo
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Really I don't see a tent heater keeping you warm at night given the heat loss through the tent walls unless you run it all night long - and that kind of defeats the peace and quiet I camp to get
I run it all night long to keep the kids warm. I don't think you've ever heard a Buddy Heater (little or big) because you'd know they don't make any noise. They do give off some light, but the kids don't mind and it's in their room of the tent.
Don't get me wrong prior to kids I never used a heater except a coal burning stove at hunting camp. However, with kids and the fact that I push the camping season into the winter (and the fact that if you're camping at 11,000 ft. even in July it's friggin cold) leads me to using a heater. I camp often enough that my phyilosophy is that I might as well be as comfortable as possible.
- Thread starter
- #84
Washed the r(p)ig Saturday, got the gunk off the tent top.
Sunday I opened the tent and after a very wet winter with snow, ice, and tons or rain, it was bone dry inside.
Took out the sheets and laundered them, and shook out the comforter.
The 12v pad comes with safety pins to pin it down to the mattress.
no need for the mattress to be up under the pillow, so I pulled it down all the way towards the foot area.
Since they no longer offer the 54x60, the biggest choice I had was the 42x60, so it does not cover the whole bed.
It is a shame they no longer have the wider one, it would have covered the whole bed width wise.
I also took out the two small pillows that are supplied (came with three, but I only used two) from Autohome, and I replaced them with Serta full/queen size pillow in firm.
This will be a lot better, as the stock pillows were a little to small for me.
This makes it even more like sleeping in my bed at home now.
Unfortunately I was not able to plug the pad in, I need a 12v extension cord.
Also since both of my 12v outlets in the rear of the FJ will be supplying juice to the tents 12v light and the ARB fridge, I will get some clips put on the 12v extension cord and run them right to the aux. battery under the hood to power the 12v heated pad.
Sunday I opened the tent and after a very wet winter with snow, ice, and tons or rain, it was bone dry inside.
Took out the sheets and laundered them, and shook out the comforter.
The 12v pad comes with safety pins to pin it down to the mattress.
no need for the mattress to be up under the pillow, so I pulled it down all the way towards the foot area.
Since they no longer offer the 54x60, the biggest choice I had was the 42x60, so it does not cover the whole bed.
It is a shame they no longer have the wider one, it would have covered the whole bed width wise.
I also took out the two small pillows that are supplied (came with three, but I only used two) from Autohome, and I replaced them with Serta full/queen size pillow in firm.
This will be a lot better, as the stock pillows were a little to small for me.
This makes it even more like sleeping in my bed at home now.
Unfortunately I was not able to plug the pad in, I need a 12v extension cord.
Also since both of my 12v outlets in the rear of the FJ will be supplying juice to the tents 12v light and the ARB fridge, I will get some clips put on the 12v extension cord and run them right to the aux. battery under the hood to power the 12v heated pad.
It is heavenly.
Last year was the first time I had used flannel sheets and a down comforter to camp with.
Always had camped with some type of sleeping bag.
I love sleeping bags, but after sleeping in the tent with the mattress, sheets, and comforter, it is just like home, much more comfortable for me.
Last year was the first time I had used flannel sheets and a down comforter to camp with.
Always had camped with some type of sleeping bag.
I love sleeping bags, but after sleeping in the tent with the mattress, sheets, and comforter, it is just like home, much more comfortable for me.
Corey,
Looks nice! Haven't taken mine out of the package yet to set it up. Luckely I got mine in the larger size before they stopped selling them. I'll have to set mine up this weekend after seeing yours.
Looks nice! Haven't taken mine out of the package yet to set it up. Luckely I got mine in the larger size before they stopped selling them. I'll have to set mine up this weekend after seeing yours.
Nice Corey..I would definitly make my own extension out of 12# wire. Buy good quality ends and you won't have any power drop for say 8' or so.
After all this hot air (a bad attempt at humor) about tent heaters..I still think this by far the safest solution. The only concern would be running the main battery down, but also maybe a consideration for an addtional deep cycle battery for all the accessories?
As always you provide great info!
Pat
After all this hot air (a bad attempt at humor) about tent heaters..I still think this by far the safest solution. The only concern would be running the main battery down, but also maybe a consideration for an addtional deep cycle battery for all the accessories?
As always you provide great info!
Pat
I think I got my Big Buddy (reconditioned as well) on ebay for just under $120 to the door.
Thanks Kenny.Corey,
Looks nice! Haven't taken mine out of the package yet to set it up. Luckely I got mine in the larger size before they stopped selling them. I'll have to set mine up this weekend after seeing yours.
It would be nice to see how yours covers the mattress.
Thanks Pat.Nice Corey..I would definitly make my own extension out of 12# wire. Buy good quality ends and you won't have any power drop for say 8' or so.
As always you provide great info!
Pat
What do you think about this premade one from Amazon?
They do not list the wire size though, but I wonder of it would drop off to much voltage giong to my aux. battery?
How much DC current does the pad draw?
I'm trying to find the wire size Corey....unless I'm friggin' blind or stupid (don't rule out either) and it's right in front of me
If the blanket draws say 3-5 amps you probably be fine with 14#....I just like a little extra protection.
We Take!!
If the blanket draws say 3-5 amps you probably be fine with 14#....I just like a little extra protection.
We Take!!
Thanks.
Sorry, no idea what the pad draws.
Info was not on the package.
I bet it is on the mattress tag, but I will not see it until the next time I pop the tent open.
I will have to look at the gauge on those premade ones with the alligator clips.
Sorry, no idea what the pad draws.
Info was not on the package.
I bet it is on the mattress tag, but I will not see it until the next time I pop the tent open.
I will have to look at the gauge on those premade ones with the alligator clips.
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Here is a thought, this idea came to me today at work.
Right now my dual 12v outlets in the rear of my rig are for the ARB fridge and I ran the Airland light there too.
What I could do is get one of these dual or triple 12v outlets.
Either run the plug from it to inside of my rig to the other 12v outlet, or put battery clips on the end and run it to one of the batteries under the hood.
There may be a way even to hard mount the dual or triple outlet box in the tent.
Then the tents light and the heating pad could plug into the new outlet box.
Just thinking out loud here
Right now my dual 12v outlets in the rear of my rig are for the ARB fridge and I ran the Airland light there too.
What I could do is get one of these dual or triple 12v outlets.
Either run the plug from it to inside of my rig to the other 12v outlet, or put battery clips on the end and run it to one of the batteries under the hood.
There may be a way even to hard mount the dual or triple outlet box in the tent.
Then the tents light and the heating pad could plug into the new outlet box.
Just thinking out loud here
Corey,
The website says your pad will draw 6.8 amps max.
The website says your pad will draw 6.8 amps max.
Any luck?
Question for you Pat.
I have been having a hard time finding wire.
For one of my projects adding in the dual 12v outlets in the back of my rig up to the BlueSea aux. fuesbox, we used 16 or 18 gauge speaker wire from Radio Shack.
The fridge only draws around 1.7 amps or so, so the above wire gauge was good for that.
Radio Shack did not have zip cord at 14 gauge.
I just got back from Lowes, and I saw some UNDERGROUND LOW ENERGY CIRCUIT CABLE there in 12 gauge I picked up, around 20'.
I plan on putting battery clamps on the ends and going right to my aux. battery, and adding in a fuse near the battery.
Didi I get the wrong wire, or will this 12 gauge wire work OK?
I plan on running the other ends to two of these and mounting them in a small steel box or something to have next to the bed to plug both the 12v AutoHome light into and the 12v heating pad.
12VDC Car Power Accessory Outlet - RadioShack.com
If I mount them in some sort of box, I would take off the plastic that is around the round receptacles.
My local Shack was out of the above a few weeks back, but they had a dual or tripple plastic gizmo with outlets and 6' of 12v wire and a cig plug.
I could just cut off the cig plug and take my new wire and hook it up to it.
So the only two things I would be powering in the tent at once would be the light and the heating pad, and the pad would more than likely only be used for every cold nights such as winter or late fall.
That size will work fine..an engineer that use to inspect and stamp my drawings for structual integrity use to always say "you never get credit for anything standing" ..meaning overbuild and prepare for the worse..you'll be fine.
The 12# will give you little to no appreciable power drop in 20'-30'. Lowes or the Depot both carry a stranded 12# in red and in black (strickly for keeping all wiring ground and positive straight) It should be on smaller spools in the wire section, usually on one of those revoling jammi's. If there is any marking on the plug ....see if it shows a rating..it would be nice to make sure the plug is rated for 15 amps, although you will probably never exceed that. It would also be a good idea to put a 10 amp fuse in the fuse holder...something just a bit underated for the plug or wire size. It helps to protect the whole system.
As long as your sure your wires are connected to the right terminals(say if you use wire that is the same color)...let her rip!!
Let me know how you make out Sparky
NOTE: I just saw that the plug is rated for 10amps..so maybe an 8amp fuse..ooooooorr..check a local boating supply store around you, the ones around here have a great supply of these plugs, blocks, fuse holders,etc.believe it or not Make sure all connections are TIGHT and SECURE
The 12# will give you little to no appreciable power drop in 20'-30'. Lowes or the Depot both carry a stranded 12# in red and in black (strickly for keeping all wiring ground and positive straight) It should be on smaller spools in the wire section, usually on one of those revoling jammi's. If there is any marking on the plug ....see if it shows a rating..it would be nice to make sure the plug is rated for 15 amps, although you will probably never exceed that. It would also be a good idea to put a 10 amp fuse in the fuse holder...something just a bit underated for the plug or wire size. It helps to protect the whole system.
As long as your sure your wires are connected to the right terminals(say if you use wire that is the same color)...let her rip!!
Let me know how you make out Sparky
NOTE: I just saw that the plug is rated for 10amps..so maybe an 8amp fuse..ooooooorr..check a local boating supply store around you, the ones around here have a great supply of these plugs, blocks, fuse holders,etc.believe it or not Make sure all connections are TIGHT and SECURE
Thanks for the info.
The wire I got indeed is all black, but one of the wire sides has the ridge on it just like lamp cord does, so I will use the ridge to be positive.
Lowes did have the other type of wire too, but only in single.
I wanted the wire that is together like this for ease of running.
The other type would require a zip tie every foot or so to keep them from getting tangled.
I bought a mini fuse holder the other day, so I will stop back at the auto store and pick up an 8 amp fuse for it, as I did not get any yet.
I had to order those 12v Radio Shack plugs online, as my local Shack is out of them.
Still not sure how I will mount the plugs in the tent.
I would like to install them in one of those little metal or plastic "hobby" boxes.
The wire I got indeed is all black, but one of the wire sides has the ridge on it just like lamp cord does, so I will use the ridge to be positive.
Lowes did have the other type of wire too, but only in single.
I wanted the wire that is together like this for ease of running.
The other type would require a zip tie every foot or so to keep them from getting tangled.
I bought a mini fuse holder the other day, so I will stop back at the auto store and pick up an 8 amp fuse for it, as I did not get any yet.
I had to order those 12v Radio Shack plugs online, as my local Shack is out of them.
Still not sure how I will mount the plugs in the tent.
I would like to install them in one of those little metal or plastic "hobby" boxes.
