The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay 12v electric heater

Anyone experience one of these? Says for use in golf carts and small cabs. Top output I've found is 600 watts which is a draw of 50 amps on 12v. Required wire size chart shows 10g for short wire and 6g for longer one. No problem with sizing alternator as most new cars have 100+ amp output and higher with such options as rear window defog. I think the advertisers might be pulling a PT Barnum on something that takes near battery cable size to wire up correctly. Comments?

I have seen skid steer installs on a few of them. They do work but nothing like a regular coolant fed heater. The real downside is they do tax your charging system for sure. That 6ga seems excessive but who knows. I do know on my ford powerstroke that the glow plugs draw about 150amps on start then taper down to about 80a once they are up to temp. The big ole factory relay that looks like a starter relay continually burns up on them if you dont upgrade. But watching the voltage on the gauge plummeting just from 1 accessory is odd when you think about it. Remember headlights and starter are the 2 normal large draws, then start adding other stuff up and it gets over the alternator comfort zone quick. I generally run a coolant type heater whenever possible.

The 12 volt heated seat cushions add a lot of comfort for not much amp draw. I think the one I used to run when I was driving a VW Bus only pulled around 5 amps or so.

10 ga or even 6 ga is not near battery cable size and not too big for a component that operates using resistance.
Evan: Can't really comment without knowing the brand and model number of this heater.....or knowing what you are to doing to what vehicle? There are better options for aftermarket heating in our trucks.