Hello everyone

 

For longer journeys, when my partner wants to stay super cosy, I am thinking of getting an inverter for her electric blanket. I am looking at this inverter for this electric blanket.

 

I think a 200W inverter for a 150W blanket should be fine. I understand that appliances surge when first turned on; this turns on to a lower power mode so that should be fine. Also being a heated blanket I gather a modified sine wave is fine. Is there anything I am missing. 
 

Also, any inverter info would be appreciated:

 1) What happens when you plug 1000W of appliance into a 200W inverter? Is it just that it draws 200W, or does something more serious happen?

 

 2) What happens if a 500W inverter is hooked up to the 12V outlet? Blown fuses? Battery drain?

I am not planning the above, so don don’t worry!

 

 3) Blown fuses seem common. Presumably this will just affect the 12V outlets if it does happen? (I have never had a blown fuse!)

 

All info greatly appreciated. 

Hi,

For bote first  questions, I fear it just won’t deliver enough power and won’t enable any plugged item work.

If it work, I fear it may heat a lot!

Quite risky IMHO...

6 minutes ago, Bap33 said:

Hi,

For bote first  questions, I fear it just won’t deliver enough power and won’t enable any plugged item work.

If it work, I fear it may heat a lot!

Quite risky IMHO...

Yeah, I won’t be trying that lark. What do you reckon to the electric blanket?

The wall sockets in your house can probably deliver upwards of 3000 watts (13 Amps). Appliances only take the current they need. Voltage on the other hand is different plugging a 12v device into a 230v supply would result in fireworks.

 

12v supplies in cars are limited by the wiring in place and the fuse. The fuse should be small enough to protect the wiring. 100w at 12v is 8 or 9 amps. Assuming that the inverter isn't 100% efficient, we are probably over 10 amps. For 200w you would need to double this. You'll need to check that this is ok in you vehicle. I'd also put some margin in for safety.

 

Edited 31 May, 20215 yr by dg360
Correction

You probably know this. Electric blankets are dangerous things. Never sit on one that is connected to electricity. 

 

In car inverters are dangerous things, there is no protection possible if your body comes into contact with the electric elements, if the blanket is damp etc. There is no RCD or earth leakage protection. Chinese tat is particularly lethal which BESTEK is, selling through a french shell company to get round EU regs.

 

Just give her a normal car blanket, throw, onsie, lambs fleece, whatever and turn the car heater up. Your Superb has 2 or 3 zone heater control so she can be toasty while you remain cool. Your car may even have heated seats, standard on SEL and above.

 

If you still insist on a heated blanket, find a 12 volt car product. Do not mess with 240v inverters! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 31 May, 20215 yr by xman

IIRC, the 12 V outlets in the car are fused at 15 A, meaning a maximum output of 180 W. Given the losses in the inverter you will be getting some amount less than this into anything you plug into it.

 

If you want a larger inverter you will need to wire it directly to the battery via suitable control and protection devices.

 

As others have pointed out, a fleece throw is safer (and cheaper) than this setup.

@dg360

@xman

@chimaera

 

Thanks for the replies. I think a heated seat and a blanket are enough!

Wow... I was wondering what could require 1000w... Now, I know... 

Your last decision is much safer for both of you and your Superb!  

It seems you have decided against mains voltage, which is good! But just to answer your point about the type of inverter, I doubt the electric blanket would work properly with MSW inverter because it has electronic controls. Of course the actual blanket element would be fine, but not the electronics. And anyway, these days PSW inverters are barely any more expensive,

 

As an alternative, why not get a 12v heated blanket? You can find them on Amazon etc. Probably only about 50watts but it will help, and plug into a 12v outlet without problems.

9 hours ago, nicknorman said:

It seems you have decided against mains voltage, which is good! But just to answer your point about the type of inverter, I doubt the electric blanket would work properly with MSW inverter because it has electronic controls. Of course the actual blanket element would be fine, but not the electronics. And anyway, these days PSW inverters are barely any more expensive,

 

As an alternative, why not get a 12v heated blanket? You can find them on Amazon etc. Probably only about 50watts but it will help, and plug into a 12v outlet without problems.

Good info, thank you. The 12V blanket seems to be the way. I’m now shopping around for one from a brand or shop I trust! 

 

Also check Caravan and camping equipment, as these are designed to run from 12V or lower wattage.

Well, I don't know if this will help, but yesterday I was in a Fiat Punto, and the lighter point was marked "maximum 180W".