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12v 300w ceramic heater:




I was looking for a cheap and safe way to convert solar power to heat, to make use of my portable solar array
to make a little dent in my heating bill in the winter. I did a fair amount of shopping around before settling
on this heater. The price was good, and it looked fairly well-constructed.

I was also pleased to see it came with 15 feet (probably excessively long) of 12 gauge power wires. It's pure
copper, with decent flexibility, and is probably as long as it is so you can run the power wires from the cab
of your vehicle all the way to the battery for a direct connection.

It draws 27 amps at 12.0 volts, with an estimated wire loss of 35 watts (ouch) and heat output of 289 watts,
which is pretty much what it's listed at for output. The wire gets alarmingly hot if run continuously, so
just like an extension cord, don't leave it coiled up while running or it'll probably start to melt.

However at 13.8 volts, it draws 31 amps, and dissipates 383 watts on the load and 46 watts from the wire.
It's interesting that they list the output for the heater on engine-off voltage, yet they recommend you only
use it while the engine is running?

And I think if I change the wire to 10ga and made it only 6ft long I would draw 34a, and produce over 450w
of heat. (but it may not be able to survive that under continuous duty?)

It doesn't have adjustable heat, and the fan speed is about half what I'd expect, so I leave it cranked.
But for the price, I'm still going to call this one a good deal.

They're currently out of stock most places, and the price has gone up to $90 where they're still available.
I did find one for $60 for as long as it lasts.


12v 300w ceramic heater (unavailable at BestBuy)


Roadpro 12v RPSL-681 12v 300w ceramic heater ($60 at Messicks)

Roadpro 12v RPSL-681 12v 300w ceramic heater (unavailable at Amazon)


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heater2:



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