Ceramic heating element efficiency

[Victor Tikhonov <vtikhono@lsil.com>]

Can one estimate how efficient ceramic heaters are in terms of
converting electric watts into Joules (sorry, BTUs)?

I want to know if I get, say 100V 5A ceramic heater(s) in the place 
of former heater core and blow an air through it, will I get 
more/equal/less heat than if I get 100V 5A water heater, immerse it 
in a small water tank circulating hot water through the stock core, 
and blow equal amount of air through that core?

I'm talking about battery energy wastefulness of each alternative,
not simplicity or the cost of components. Any other technical
(not practical or economical at this point) cons/pros of each method?

Any info/data, anybody?
Just saying that you install one and it's working fine is not exactly 
"data" and won't help to compare.

Thank you all,

Victor


John Wayland wrote:
> 
> Hello to All,
> 
> Victor Tikhonov wrote:
> 
> > List,
> >
> > Can someone please point me to the source of the ceramic heating
> > elements (or consumer products elements are pulled from) people use
> > for EV heaters?
> 
> The best ones for use in EV heaters that I've found, come from Randy Holmquist at Canadian
> EV. Cheaper versions of them are in those inexpensive, usually square-shaped heaters you
> can get at hardware stores and as I said in my earlier post, at Home Depot for about $10.
> 
> > Is it common thing you buy in K-mart or home depot
> > or is it special item/special store?
> 
> Yes, they are very common and are usually badged with something about it being a ceramic
> heater. The element itself is about 4 X 5 inches and has a fine mesh look to it. much like
> a miniature car radiator. One will give 'OK' heat that will do fine, but two of these
> puppies can really crank out some serious heat, very close to the effect of a modern
> warmed liquid car heater. I used twin elements in Red Beastie's heater, and it was pretty
> much like the factory heater that came with the truck, only of course, it was instant-on
> :-)
> 
> See Ya......John Wayland