Heated jacket for $zero

[The Pastor]

You should make a seperate vest instead of using a jacket, that way you can take it off when you dont need it or if it catchs fire.

[pete376403]

I made a heated jacket using wire from an electric blanket - one of the old "Safasleep" models that had a transformer. IIRC the transformer output was about 20volts. The wire from one single blanket was enough to wire two jackets (sleeveless windbreaker type) These have lasted about 8 - 10 years so far and the heat , especially around my lower back, is most excellent. Next project is to make some sort of PWM controller, at present the heat is regulated by unplugging the connector

[Radar]

I read about this a few months ago. Here is the link:

How To Make Electric Motorcycle Clothing
http://www.shadowriders.org/faq/electricvests.html

Excerpt from the article:

wire: 30 gauge, multistranded, teflon coated copper, usually comes in a 100' spool, Order form any electronics supplier. I ordered from Newark Electronics who have locations everywhere. In Schaumburg IL, call (84 7) 310-8980. Their product was called "hook-up wire, "part 36F61OWA. Price in 9197 was $14.20

Maybe this sort of wire could be purchased at Jaycar or DSE. Anyone check?

[skelstar]

Why not try some of this kinda stuff?


http://search.dse.co.nz/search.php?s....y=0&submit=Go

Actually that DSE stuff is quite good. 2m isn't too much if you wrap it around a little (sleeves?) and its solderable. I can't solder my nichrome wire stuff.

[CB ARGH]

try copper wire ......

You would find that mlost electrical wiring these days IS copper...

I wouldn't go as far as attatching it to your jacket, but you could always try getting a thermal long sleeved shirt and put the wires and stuff into that, which you'd wear under the jacket. Just don't put any wires where the nipples are, you don't want a burn hole through those, milk might come out!

[Qkchk:Me]

I feel the cold tremendously, so watching and scheming with great interest.............

[mowgli]

Doing the sums and considering the outside risk of burning oneself or one's expensive riding jacket I think several shorter loops of higher resitance wire would be preferable to a long single loop. I'm also thinking cotton and wool would be better fabrics to use compared with artificial fibres which could melt.

Hmmm, now to dig out the multimeter and find some suitable wire. Thanks DB, I love this shit +1

Edit: I wonder what the voltage drop on braided core CAT5 is? It's small diameter, cheap and available.

[CookMySock]

You should make a seperate vest instead of using a jacket, that way you can take it off when you dont need it or if it catchs fire.

Well it is in the jacket liner, so I can zip it out. The cord folds up and goes in the inner pocket - completely invisible when not in use.

I made a heated jacket using wire from an electric blanket - one of the old "Safasleep" models that had a transformer. IIRC the transformer output was about 20volts. The wire from one single blanket was enough to wire two jackets (sleeveless windbreaker type) These have lasted about 8 - 10 years so far and the heat , especially around my lower back, is most excellent. Next project is to make some sort of PWM controller, at present the heat is regulated by unplugging the connector

Yeah thats the story. It might be cheap enough to buy a new blanket like this one and vandal it.

Doing the sums and considering the outside risk of burning oneself or one's expensive riding jacket I think several shorter loops of higher resitance wire would be preferable to a long single loop.

The problem is, then all the heat is concentrated in one point, overheating the fabric.

I'm also thinking cotton and wool would be better fabrics to use compared with artificial fibres which could melt.

foo, you need to plan it so no part of anything will get THAT hot..

I wonder what the voltage drop on braided core CAT5 is? It's small diameter, cheap and available.

This is true ! Hrm, I have cat5 AND hookup wire in the shed and I'm off to aucks for the weekend so I can't fiddle with it.. bugger! Ah well, lets see your cat5 heated jacket when I get back !

I'm gunna throw my toolbox in the back of the car and take it with me! whee!


Steve

[avgas]

wow thats awesome - what happens when it gets wet?

[mowgli]

Doing the sums and considering the outside risk of burning oneself or one's expensive riding jacket I think several shorter loops of higher resitance wire would be preferable to a long single loop.

The problem is, then all the heat is concentrated in one point, overheating the fabric.

Actually no, but then didn't provide enough detail to explain why. In my sums 5x1.2m loops of 13.77ohm/m nichrome rigged in parallel is roughly the same wattage as 1x6m length of 0.5ohm/m hookup wire.

The biggest advantage of multiple loops is that by varying the length of each you could concentrate more heating in the places that need it most without overheating other areas.

Wife's gonna hate you DB cos she's now lost me to the shed for at least part of the weekend

[mowgli]

wow thats awesome - what happens when it gets wet?

Everything shorts out, killing your bike and turning your torso into a flaming beacon that can be seen for miles around

[skelstar]

The biggest advantage of multiple loops is that by varying the length of each you could concentrate more heating in the places that need it most without overheating other areas.

Problem with that is that if one of the multi-loops breaks, then the rest share the current/power, thus getting much hotter, another breaks and the problem compounds. Make sense?

I can see your reasoning but one strand sounds more fail-safe to me.

[mowgli]

Problem with that is that if one of the multi-loops breaks, then the rest share the current/power, thus getting much hotter, another breaks and the problem compounds. Make sense?

I can see your reasoning but one strand sounds more fail-safe to me.

Not quite. As each loop in parallel fails, the total resistance increases. Current in each loop remains the same while current draw (on the battery) reduces. Nevertheless, I've realised since posting that the distribution of heat is just as easily accomplished with a single strand by varying the spacing of the wire loops.

I now think the only real advantage of a multi-loop setup would be that you could selectively turn sections off or vary the balance dynamically. Say for instance if you're wearing a backpack you might want to turn the loops on the back off. In DB's case with both a heated jacket and grips (essentially two loops) you could ensure the total current drawn from the battery remained below a certain threshold by including a current limiter in the circuit.

[skelstar]

Not quite. As each loop in parallel fails, the total resistance increases...

You're right. I'm a retard. Ohms Law 101

[skelstar]

I now think the only real advantage of a multi-loop setup would be that you could selectively turn sections off.

Reckon that your back doesn't really get cold, it would be more important to warm your ribs around the side, maybe your chest etc... arms would be nice.