Re: Ceramic heating element efficiency

["Thomas Shay" <tshay@ix.netcom.com>]

The coat and boots and other cold weather clothing can
only solve half the problem.  Defogging and defrosting the
windows needs heat applied to the glass.  Yes, the coat
sleeves do work as defoggers, but not nearly as well as warm
air directed at the glass.  This isn't just a comfort issue, it's
a safety issue, too.  In most venues,  there are laws about
driving with obscured windows and sometimes citations are
issued.

Tom Shay


----- Original Message -----
From: "Rod Hower" <Rod.Hower@ametek.com>
To: <ev@listproc.sjsu.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2002 5:09 AM
Subject: Re: Ceramic heating element efficiency


>
> I have found the best heater is a good winter coat and some boots.
> This may sound stupid, but the 25-40amp current draw on my 200V NiCd pack
> seems to be more than I'm willing to give up when the winter coat works
> just fine.
> My wife disagrees, but I just tell her the heater is broken and save
plenty
> of amp-hours
> in the process :-)
> Rod
>
>
>
> On 21 Oct 2002 at 17:40, Victor Tikhonov wrote:
>
> > 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?
>
> The more direct the connection between the busy little electrons and the
> occupants' bodies, the lower the losses.  Probably the ideal heater is
> heated
> suits for the driver and passengers.
>
> If you are going to heat the air in the vehicle, the more efficient way is
> to heat
> the air directly with a heating element of some kind.  IMO, the only
> advantage
> to a liquid heater is that it's easier to install because you can leave
the
> old
> heater core in place.  But it heats up more slowly, and (potentially)
> wastes
> more energy through losses in the tank and plumbing.
>
> David Roden
> Akron OH USA
>
>
>
>
>