Empathy List Archives

S

scaramouche@tvo.org

Tue, Dec 5, 2000 3:21 AM

I live aboard a 27ft fiberglass boat on Lake Ontario, Canada (6
winters this year).
I use these Delonghi oil filled electric heaters (described
elsewhere). Just bought two new ones and retired the old ones for use
in doughter's house and garage. The new ones have two wattage
settings (700 and 800, together 1500) and a thermostat with a
freeze-up prevention (about 40). I'm very pleased with these.
Additionally I use several somewhat unconventional devices:
I buy 240 Volt 500 watt baseboard heaters, hook them up with a
grounded cord and plug for 110 Volt useage. Since I am halving the
voltage, I get approximately one quarter wattage or just about the
same warmth as from a 100 watt lightbulb. I've installed these
heaters under the bunks and they're doing a fine job of keaping my
mattresses dry and cozy for comfortable sleeping.
Since the entire wattage is distributed over an area of about two
feet, the heaters don't ever get hot, just comfortably warm and I
have no hesitation to leave them plugged in under my beds all winter
long. Baseboard heaters are cheap (about $20.- CAN) and - since
they're used at only one quarter of their rated capacity - they're
practically indestructable. Got mine from Home Depot or Builders'
Supply.

George, elctrically cozified in Canada

I live aboard a 27ft fiberglass boat on Lake Ontario, Canada (6 winters this year). I use these Delonghi oil filled electric heaters (described elsewhere). Just bought two new ones and retired the old ones for use in doughter's house and garage. The new ones have two wattage settings (700 and 800, together 1500) and a thermostat with a freeze-up prevention (about 40). I'm very pleased with these. Additionally I use several somewhat unconventional devices: I buy 240 Volt 500 watt baseboard heaters, hook them up with a grounded cord and plug for 110 Volt useage. Since I am halving the voltage, I get approximately one quarter wattage or just about the same warmth as from a 100 watt lightbulb. I've installed these heaters under the bunks and they're doing a fine job of keaping my mattresses dry and cozy for comfortable sleeping. Since the entire wattage is distributed over an area of about two feet, the heaters don't ever get hot, just comfortably warm and I have no hesitation to leave them plugged in under my beds all winter long. Baseboard heaters are cheap (about $20.- CAN) and - since they're used at only one quarter of their rated capacity - they're practically indestructable. Got mine from Home Depot or Builders' Supply. George, elctrically cozified in Canada

JD

jim_donohue@computer.org

Tue, Dec 5, 2000 4:38 AM

George - You might want to actually measure the current. I suspect you are
at less that the 100 watts you think. When dealing with heaters you not
only have to deal with voltage and current but the resistance is a function
of the temperature of the element which is driven by the current. In other
words you are working one of the exceptions to ohms law. I am curious - I
suspect less than 75 watts. I could probably calculate it but that is close
to the sort of thing I used to get paid for. It may even be a differential
equation and I break out in hives nowadays when I look at those.

Jim

George - You might want to actually measure the current. I suspect you are at less that the 100 watts you think. When dealing with heaters you not only have to deal with voltage and current but the resistance is a function of the temperature of the element which is driven by the current. In other words you are working one of the exceptions to ohms law. I am curious - I suspect less than 75 watts. I could probably calculate it but that is close to the sort of thing I used to get paid for. It may even be a differential equation and I break out in hives nowadays when I look at those. Jim > >

S

scaramouche@tvo.org

Wed, Dec 6, 2000 2:22 AM

jim_donohue@computer.org writes:

You might want to actually measure the current. I suspect you are
at less that the 100 watts you think

Does it matter? It works for me. Besides I'm quite aware of your
concerns and used the following verbiage: "Since I am halving the
voltage, I get approximately one quarter wattage or just about the
same warmth as from a 100 watt lightbulb".
Thought that was vague enough - and I and my Amprobe are on permanent
retirement.

jim_donohue@computer.org writes: >You might want to actually measure the current. I suspect you are >at less that the 100 watts you think Does it matter? It works for me. Besides I'm quite aware of your concerns and used the following verbiage: "Since I am halving the voltage, I get approximately one quarter wattage or just about the same warmth as from a 100 watt lightbulb". Thought that was vague enough - and I and my Amprobe are on permanent retirement.

JD

jim_donohue@computer.org

Wed, Dec 6, 2000 5:17 AM

OK George I understand. Back to our rockers and let the younger guys do the
probe and differential equation work.

Betcha its less than 65 watts.

Jim - who just can't shut up.

OK George I understand. Back to our rockers and let the younger guys do the probe and differential equation work. Betcha its less than 65 watts. Jim - who just can't shut up. >

S

scaramouche@tvo.org

Wed, Dec 6, 2000 6:31 PM

jim_donohue@computer.org writes:

Betcha its less than 65 watts.

Maybe we should start a pool??? Who wnats to be the judge? :-)

George
I just found a source for 300 watt/240V baseboard heaters. Consider
those even better suited as all I am looking for is a wee bit of
constant warmth under the bunks.

jim_donohue@computer.org writes: >Betcha its less than 65 watts. Maybe we should start a pool??? Who wnats to be the judge? :-) George I just found a source for 300 watt/240V baseboard heaters. Consider those even better suited as all I am looking for is a wee bit of constant warmth under the bunks.

trawlers@lists.trawlering.com

TWL: Safe small electric heaters