12-Volt Heaters?

Anyone have any good recommendations?

The heat in my truck isn't all that great, so I thought about buying one of these to help keep warm.

I don't want to install a power 12-volt power strip, so I'll have to stay away from the 984749875409876549 watt models.

Wal-Mart has a 180 Watt model for about $25, but I have no idea if that would do the job or not.

I had gotten a 150 watt one from harbour(aka china junk)freight a few years ago, 150 wasn't much heat, and I swapped this thing about 2 or 3 times, always smelled like it =was burning and was buzzing, the cord also got real hot. they no longer sell them that I am aware off likely cause they sucked. not saying other ones don't work, but it won't put off any more heat that a 180 watt light bulb, will help you warm your free hand when you are on the road, but don't expect anything more from that small amount of power

I bought one from wally world like you mentioned for my old jeep don't waste your money I could have gotten as much heat by rubbing two sticks together.

you could try to flush out your heater core in your truck, it is probably plugged up, you have an f150 right?

I had a car that had a clogged hater core, we cut it open with a band saw, it was fully of what looked like sawdust, which must have been that BS coolant stopleak stuff. there was also a bead of blue silicone in there

What about an AC inverter that plugs into your 12 volt system? Then, maybe you could find an AC heater that wouldn't overload the inverter. That might give more heat than a 12v heater. Dunno...

Walmart has inverters for $30-$60, but I can't remember how many watts they can handle.

Your standard 20 amp circuit in your vehicle is only going to support about 240 watts. Not much heat. Anything more will require additional heavy gauge wiring. Converting DC to AC doesn't create additional power (wattage) it just changes the voltage. Voltage and power are two different, although related, things. Not intending to get into an electronics lesson but output power of an inverter cannot exceed input power.

Your engine creates heat that has to be dissipated whether you use it or not. Bite the the bullet and fix the heater.

Originally Posted by my82cam

you could try to flush out your heater core in your truck, it is probably plugged up, you have an f150 right?

Yea, it's an F-150. I tried flushing the system last winter, but it didn't seem to help much. I am trying not to invest a ton of money because I plan on getting rid of it fairly soon.

you might be able to hook up a air compressor air nozzle, and try to fit it on hte heater core and blow the stuff out. BUT FIRST if you do this turn thepressure way down on the reguator if you have one, as I don't expect it to hold 100 psi without starting a leak

I may try to flush it again. If that doesn't work, I'll just deal with it.