Electrically Heated Clothing

patrickg · Feb 5, 2002

For those late night vigils in winter trying to "GET" a varmit or do some teloscopy on the night sky I think I would like to have a heated flying suit or equivalent. Lots of heated socks on the market and some gloves but where to find heated coveralls or ...??? There are some pricy heated items for morotcyclists ($100 + for gloves) but I would like something similar to a snow mobile suit but electrically heated. I could pay well over a hundred for the comfort but not just for gloves and socks.

If I didn't have a cab with a great heater on my tractor I would certainly be looking for an electric "tractor suit".

Anyone tried this route?

Patrick

gws · Feb 5, 2002

You would be lucky to get a good pair of high tech thermal long johns for $100.
Get a good ski snow suit they are more than warm enough.

beenthere · Feb 5, 2002

Sounds like this is similar to standing on a deer stand from 6:15 am to 4:30 pm, when the temps start out at -18 F and get to a high of hopefully 0 F. Often wished for such a suit, but afraid I wouldn't want to lug the battery for the 1 1/2 miles that that expensive suit would require. With wool and down clothing, and a snow suit, you can stay warm. Also, consider the hand packets of heat that can last up to several hours for the extremities such as hands and feet, as well as one down the back of your neck (really takes the chill out of the air).

fishman · Feb 5, 2002

Patrickg,

No answer to your battery powered suit question, but I have found that the "Jon-e" type portable heaters are great. They are made of metal, and use lighter fluid. You light a catalytic burner and put them in a pouch. They last for hours, and put out a heck of a lot more heat than a disposable heat pack. Get at least two, because you'll want one in each pocket. Also, watch out, they can get very warm. Make sure you can get to them in a reasonable amount of time, because they might just get too hot!/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

The three I have are cheap knock-offs that cost about $5 each, but they work just fine.

Thomas · Feb 5, 2002

Have you consider looking into military surplus winter gear.
They have about anything to keep your nose to your toes warm.

Christopher · Feb 5, 2002

This reminds me, I have a set of electric coveralls, they look like a flying suit from the military. does anyone have any idea what kind of power these might take? 12 volt? 24 volt? They have a two prong plug like an old electric apliance except these prongs are round, not flat. I would like to try them out sometime. thanks

Bird · Feb 5, 2002

It might get real interestin' if you try the wrong voltage, Christopher./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Christopher · Feb 5, 2002

I know! that is why I haven't tried them! I probbably will never get around to it from always worrying if I will get zapped or worse!

TWINKLE_TOES · Feb 5, 2002

Chris,

Sell em to Patrick he will pay $100.

Al

PaulT · Feb 6, 2002

Boy, does The North Face want to talk to you. (to the tune of $499). They have a fleece pullover with battery powered heat that is meant to be fired up when standing in a cold skiers lift line. Then it can be turned off when you start to exert yourself. I think it would be best used as one of your layers. Check out these links:

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.thenorthface.com/code/products/product_pages/14078_standard.html>MET5 Jacket</A>
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.cmonitor.com/stories/sports/sportcol1101/barbara_johnson_121701_2001.shtml>sportswriter review of MET5 jacket</A>

The review article suggests that its only a matter of time before we mortals can afford these clothes for less money from "knock-off" manufacturers.