NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #3/NN_1993_3.iso/spool/sci/energy/7277

Internet Message Format | 1993-01-27 | 1.6 KB

Path: sparky!uunet!ogicse!mimbres.cs.unm.edu!lynx.unm.edu!triton.unm.edu!mikep
From: [e-mail] (Mike Prine CIRT)
Newsgroups: sci.energy
Subject: DC heating pads/blankets
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Date: 26 Jan 93 17:10:40 GMT
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Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
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    While it is generally considered energy folish to use electricity for
producing heat, I do just that on a small scale. We have a 12DC heating pad
on my son's bed and on my wife's side of our bed to help with her back
problems. What did it cost? 4 pannels @ $160each, $100 for a low voltage
disconnect, $350 for a set of 80AmpHour nicads, $100 for a charge controller.
It provides about 6-10 hours of power, per night, depending on how high the
blankets are set. I chose nicads despite their high cost because they can be
left at any state of charge without harm. DC powered bed warmers or heating
pads have the advantage of not exposing you to AC Efields that some think are
a health hazard.
    The small array is tied to our main array with a blocking diode so when
the nicads are charged the power is diverted to the main system. Later this
year I plan to add 2 more pannels to the array and upgrade to 160AmpHour
batteries. This will insure that most nights next winter it will stay on all
night.

--
Michael Lee Prine     IRC (Information Resource Center) consultant
Internet: [e-mail], Bitnet: MIKEP@UNMB, Phone: [phone]
I get most of my electricity, at home, from the sun. It's a hobby,
who cares if it's cost effective yet.