Is there a portable heater that runs on regular batteries as its power source?

Question

I have an electric security cart that patrols a property I own. The small car does not have heat and has no 12 volt lighter hole. Its winter and I need a heater that runs on regular batteries to keep the security guard warm. Does anyone know of a model? No propane heaters please.

Answer 1

No. Batteries don't have that kind of power output. The best you can do is enclose the cab and give him some electric socks/gloves for his personal use. Body heat is better than nothing.

There's supposed to be some sort of heater that works by heating oil with friction. Check Keelynet for details. Something about two rotating drums with a 1/8" space between them filled with oil. It's supposed to work well and not use a lot of power.

Answer 2

I think I'm pretty qualified to answer this one, because I have an off-grid house that runs completely on batteries, and an inverter to convert that electricity back to 120 volts a.c. My system uses 16 Trojan L-16 batteries, you'll have to check current price but they're more than $200 apiece to buy. Each battery holds 390 amps, and you can safely withdraw about half of that each time, let's figure 200 amps at 6 volts for easy figuring, that's 1200 watts. That means each battery could run the equivalent of one 1200 watt heater for one hour. (Most electric heaters are 1500 watts, you do the math). If this cost seems reasonable to you, then this is a doable project. I say, my $4000 battery bank will be dead after about about 16 hours of running this heater (plus the cost of an inverter). If your outage lasts longer than 16 hours, you're still going to be cold. This is probably the reason you're not finding very many battery powered heaters. It's not a technology that's been perfected yet.

Answer 3

There is a new heating technology in which a rechargeable Li-ion battery (3.5 V, 10 AH) can be used to power a new-type electrical heater for warmth creation. The heater itself is 250 g in weight, 120 cm2 in total surface area, and 1800 cm3 in volume. When powered by the Li-ion battery, the device starts to generate heat, and a surface temperature up to 60 Degree Celsius is achievable. When the heater is immerged in 150 g water of 20 Degree Celsius, the water can be heated to 45 Degree Celsius.

Not sure what the applications of the new electric heating technology would be......

My email address is: [e-mail]

Answer 4

Batteries? No. But there are plenty that run on 12 volts if you don't mind having your mechanic connect them directly to the electrical system. Go Froogle and search for 12v heater.

Answer 5

I don't think 12VDC is enough to power any kind of heater.