Do Heated Seat Cushions Heat Only a Few Minutes?

Question about the Wagan Heated Seat Cushions for Cars: The Wagan Heated Seat Cushion with Hi Low Switch, Wagan Deluxe Heated Seat Cushion and the Total Rest Heated Seat Cushion with Dual Voltage and Magnets.

Q: "Do these heated car seat cushions heat for only a few minutes and then shut off. I see that the heated seat with high low switch indicates that."

Answer: As of this date, Safe Home is selling several different heated cushions that can be used in a car. The thermostat regulates the temperature so the turning on and off is subtle, not noticeable to the seated person. Each heated cushion has different features:

• The ES-WA-9738 has a hi/low switch and a thermostat that turns the heat on and off to maintain a temperature of either 120 degrees F on the high setting or 90 degrees F on the low setting.
• The ES-WA-2282, the deluxe model heats quickly and maintains a comfortable 110 degrees to 120 degrees F.
• The WA-9888 is a heated seat with magnets and massage (optional) that can be used as a 12V heated seat cushion or on standard AC current with the adapter (included), Wagan did not supply us with a temperature for this unit. I used on in my office chair and I find the heat comfortable without being too hot.

Until I purchased a minivan with heated seats, I used the basic 9738 heated cushion. In comparison with my minivan seats, this cushion heated within a few minutes to toastly warm. I remember flying into Cedar Rapids from Minneapolis on a bitter cold day in January. Before I reach the tollbooth in the parking lot (and the Eastern Iowa lots are not far from the booth), my seat was warm through my coat. I turned the temperature to low before I got to I-380. I was not aware that the heat turned on and off as there is not signal.

My minivan seats never get that warm and I don't feel the heat for about 10 minutes in the winter. (I used my heated seats in the summer, too. Great on the back.)

Thanks for your question.

Sincerely, Barbara

How Long Will My BoomBox Run on this Power Supply?

Question about the Product: VEC1026BD Black and Decker Portable Power Supply 250W.

Q: "How much time will this unit give me in the 120VAC mode to use my small boom box which uses about 12 watts of power? Does the 250 watt on the power unit mean that when charged fully it holds 250 watts of power? Therefore my radio boom box should run approx. 20 hours?thanks-Bob."

Answer: This portable power supply has a 10 amp hour battery in it, so your boombox should run about 10 hours if the unit is fully charged. We do sell other units such as the Wagan Power Dome that are larger with more watts of power. The Wagan has 450 watts and, fully charged, would run a boombox that draws 23 amps about 8 hours. For a 12 watt draw, that would be closer to 16 hours.

Thank you for your question.

Sincerely, Barbara

When No Cigarette Lighter is Available for an Inverter

Question about the product Product Code: = GP-300 Go Power 300 Watt Modified Sine Wave Inverter 12Volt .

Q: "Hello, I would like to connect this inverter to a 12 volt 32.5 ah Deka agm battery. What cables would I need to use? Do you sell the cables? In the description it says that it uses a cigarette lighter. Can I connect it directly to the 12 volt battery without a cigarette lighter? Thank you. -Thomas."

Answer: This power inverter does not have an option for battery cables. I suggest you look at a 400 watt inverter as all the inverters above 300 watts do require the use of battery cables. These power inverters cost just under $100 or more at this time. Among the inverters that are 400 watts to 600 watts with battery cables are the Xantrex XPower Digital Micro Inverter 400 Watts and the Go Power 600 Watt Modified Sine Wave Inverter 12Volt. Please remember that manufacturers are constantly updating/revising their products so these particular models may not be available in the future.

Please contact us if you need additional information.
Sincerely, Barbara

How Cool Does A Cooler Cool?

Question about the product, Koolatron Krusader 12V Thermoelectric Cooler 52 Qt.

Question: Your information says these coolers keep items cool to 45-50 degrees below the ambient temperature. Does that mean if the inside temperature of my car is 80 degrees it will cool items in the cooler to 35-40 degrees? Thank you in advance for your response." Gary

Answer: We checked with Koolatron, the manufacturer of the Krusader and other thermoelectric cooler models. Here is their representative's response:

"Your customer is correct, the ambient temperature is the temperature within the environment where the cooler is placed. If the cooler is in his car, and it is 80 degrees, the Krusader or other Koolatron coolers will cool down to a low of 35 degrees inside the cooler. Please note that thermoelectric coolers do not reach freezing, so 35 degrees is the coldest the cooler will get inside. In other words, if the inside of the car is 65 degrees, the temperature inside the cooler will go down to around the 35 degree level, not down to 15 to 20 degrees F."

We recommend that you purchase an AC adapter and precool the unit before moving to your vehicle. During your trip, use AC to power the cooler at night if your camp site has AC available or use AC in your motel or hotel room.

Please contact us if you have additional questions. We sell several brands of thermoelectric coolers and warmers including Koolatron and Vector.

Sincerely, Barbara

Is there a more powerful power dome for emergency power outages?

Question about the Product: Wagan 400W Power Dome Portable Power Source Generator Product Code: : WA-2354

Q: "Is there a more powerful unit other than this one here. I live in Northern Ontario, Canada and the winters up here can be very brutal. Last year I was taken to the hospital with hypo thermia. I got hypo thermia while I was inside the house that I was renting. Something to run the radio and lights a little while later would be nice."

Answer: A power inverter or portable power pack like the 400 watt one is not what you need. You need to purchase a generator that runs on either gasoline or propane. Our experience with the gasoline generators is that they run about 4 to 5 hours before running out of fuel when run at full power. Depending upon the size, you could at least operate an electric heater or an electric blanket or electric throw plus a few other appliances. A 5500 watt gasoline run generator would power your furnace motor so if you heat with natural gas, you'd stay warm. At 50% power, these units are supposed to run 10 to 12 hours.

Hope this helps. Thanks for your question.

Sincerely, Barbara

Using Power Inverter to Run a Sump Pump?

Question about the product: VECTOR 1200 Watt Power Inverter VEC053D.

Q: "My fix-it man wants a Vector Model 056D power inverter. He reports that we need 16 amps minimum to run 2 same model sump pumps (Wayne Submersible pumps 4200 GPH, 15 amp min, 120v, 60 hz, 1/2 HP, ) Can't find the VEC056D and most info on inverters do not include amps info. Will this one work for my 2 pumps?

Answer: We consulted with our Vector distributor about this answer. Here is what Devin responded:

"I would go with the VEC051D to be safe. This would put out 27.5 amp continuously and 55 amps for start up loads for a short period of time. The reason I suggest this one is because all of those pumps have a start up draw (surge) that is higher than the power they use when already running. It’s like riding a bike. It’s easier to peddle a bike once it is already moving than to have to get the bike to begin to move from a stopped position."

Thanks for your interesting question.

Sincerely, Barbara

How does a thermoelectric cooler work?

Question about the product: KN-P27 Koolatron Voyager 12-Volt Cooler 32 Quart

Q: "How does a thermoelectric cooler work? I am considering purchasing the Koolatron Voyager but need more information." George

Answer: Thank you for asking this question. I did not know the answer so I went to the Koolatron site where I gleaned this information.

Thermoelectric coolers use a principle called the "Peltier" effect. In 1834 Jean Peltier noted that when an electrical current is applied across the junction of two dissimilar metals, heat is removed from one of the metals and transferred to the other. Koolatron uses this principle to keep the Voyager and other Koolatron thermoelectric coolers cold.

Thermoelectric modules are constructed from a series of tiny metal cubes of dissimilar exotic metals which are physically bonded together and connected electrically. When electrical current passes through the cube junctions, heat is transferred from one metal to the other. Solid-state thermoelectric modules like the ones used in the Koolatron coolers are capable of transferring large quantities of heat when connected to a heat absorbing device on one side and a heat dissipating device on the other.

The Koolatron cooler's internal aluminum cold plate fins absorb heat from the contents, (food and beverages): the thermoelectric modules transfer it to heat dissipating fins under the control panel. There a small fan helps to disperse the heat into the air. The system is totally environmentally friendly and contains no hazardous gases, no pipes no coils and no compressor. The only moving part is the small 12-volt fan.

Thermoelectric modules are too expensive for normal domestic and commercial applications which run only on regular household current. They are ideally suited to recreational applications because they are lightweight, compact, insensitive to motion or tilting, have no moving parts, and can operate directly from 12-volt batteries.

Advantages of a KoolatronThermoelectric Refrigerator (Cooler) Over Compressor Coolers (Freon Using), Absorption Coolers (Ammonia Solution Using) and Ice Chest Coolers:

• Compact: More usable space due to small size of cooling components: thermoelectric module is the size of a matchbook.
• Weight: Weigh 1/3 to 1/2 as much due to lightweight cooling system. Ex. A 36 qt. capacity unit weighs only 17 lb.
• Lower Cost: 20% to 40% less expensive than compressor or absorption units.
• Portable: carry with one hand. Unaffected by motion or tilting.
• Low battery draw: average is about 4.5 amps - less than your car's headlights
• No Melting Ice: Food and beverages are kept cold and dry. Helps preserve ice 3 to 4 times longer than an ice chest.
  
• Cooling Performance: Koolatron units will refrigerate in sustained ambient temperatures of up to 95 degrees F. If Koolatron coolers are kept full, they will refrigerate satisfactorily even if peak daytime temperatures reach 110 degrees F as the temperature of the contents lags behind the ambient. The food will be just starting to warm up when the air cools off in the evening which will bring the food temperature back down to normal.
• Reliability: Koolatron thermoelectric modules do not wear out or deteriorate with use. They have been used for military and aerospace applications for years because of their reliability and other unique features.
• Ease of Servicing and Maintenance: Koolatron units have only one moving part, a small fan with 12 volt motor which can easily be replaced with only a screw driver. Most parts are easily replaced by the end-user.

I hope this answers your question about not only how a thermoelectric cooler works but also why this is the best choice for most people needing a portable cooler.

Sincerely,
Barbara

Explain Workings of the Replacement 12V Propane Gas Shut-Off Valve

Question about Replacement 12V Propane Gas Shut Off Valve, No Detector

Q:"Is this a normally open or normally closed valve? If not open, then does it shut off the gas flow when power is applied?" - old-falcon

Answer: This valve is part of a 12 Volt gas leak detection system for a motorhome or RV. Occasionally the shut off valve wears out or is faulty and needs replaced. Some people prefer to replace the entire system at that time. We sell systems, too.

Although we have labeled it as a 12V valve, it is actually a 9V valve that works with a 12Volt propane gas shut off system. The ball valve is open until a significant propane leak activates the system and closes the valve. If the power fails, the valve remains in whatever position it is in when the power fails.

This is from our website:

Automatic gas shut off valve is used with the CCI Control Gas Detector Alarm Model 7719 in flush mount beige, brown or polar white.

When a gas leak is detected in an RV, trailer or camper, the propane alarm sounds and shuts off the gas supply via this UL listed LP gas valve. The CCi gas detector draws 0.162mA per hour of power, less than an instrument panel lamp. Turn off the gas detector when the motor coach is not in use.

The CCI 7719 propane detector (sold separately) detects LP gas and sounds an alert at 20% of the LEL (Lower Explosion Level) for propane gas. The automatic gas shut off valve and propane gas detector and alarm are intended for detection of LP gas only.

CCI Controls Replacement Propane Automatic Gas Valve Control Model 7718 Features:
* Goyen 3/8" Solenoid Gas Shutoff Valve Model 7718.
* Note: Must be used only in conjunction with CCI Control Model 7719 LP Gas Detector.
* Warranty: Limited 2 year manufacturer.

Hope this helps answer your question.

Sincerely,
Barbara

Question about Hours of Operation of a 300 Amp Jump Starter

Question about the Black and Decker 300 amp Jump Start System VEC010BD.

Q: "I am considering purchasing a Black & Decker 300 amp Jump Start System VECO10BDM, and would like to know how many hours this product will operate (on a full charge) pulling a continuous 5 AMP load?"--Jay.

Answer: On a full charge, this unit will operate for slightly under 2 hours when pulling a continuous 5 amphere load.

If you have other questions, please do contact us.

Sincerely,
Barbara

Using a PowerPack to Power a Heater?

Question about the XPower Powerpack 400 Plus Radio and Air Compressor.

Q: "Can this powerpack be used to operate a heater when camping and if so for how long?" Rickey

Answer: No, this powerpack cannot be used to operate a heater when camping. Electric heaters typically draw 1000 watts of power. This is a 400 watt power pack with a 600 watt surge. Plugging in a 1000 watt electric heater would cause either the circuit breaker to trip or a fire to cocur.

My suggestion: purchase one of the new generation of catalytic heaters that use propane. Catalytic heaters are a safe, portable option. I do recommend that you purchase and use a Costar 9RV, a recreational vehicle rated carbon monoxide alarm. We've sold these to the military to use in tents where catalytic heaters are used.

If you have other questions, we'd be happy to help.

Sincerely,
Barbara





Sincerely,


Barbara

Why do I need to unplug a 12V heated seat warmer?

Question about the Wagan Heated Seat Cushion, ES-WA-9738.

Q: "My question is, why does it say to unplug when not in use, if it has an auto shut off? Do I really have to unplug it everytime I get out of the car? Thanks." Maddy

Answer: For safety reasons, manufacturers recommend that you always unplug all 12 volt devices when not in use. Some vehicles are wired so that power to shut off to 12V sockets when the engine is shut off. The automatic shut-off feature for this heated seat cushion means that once it has reached either the high or low temperature it will stop heating or shut-off. It will resume heating once it drops below the set temperature.

Unplugging is easy. Just grasp the plug and pull straight out.

Sincerely,
Barbara

Can this Power Inverter Plug Into a 12V Outlet?

Question regarding Vector Black and Decker 1000-Watt Power Inverter.

Q: "Can this power inverter plug into the 12V cigarette lighter outlet in my car?"

Answer: No, all 1000 watt power inverters like this model draw too much power to be plugged directly into a 12V light socket. If there was such a plug, the high wattage draw would damage your car, at the least throwing a circuit breaker and at the most causing a fire.

Most high wattage (400 watt and over) power inverters include battery cables that connect directly to the vehicle battery positive and negative poles. Some power inverters under 400 watts have two connection methods available. Those that plug only into the cigarette lighter (accessory power) socket are rated no more than 300 watts.

Larger is not necessarily better with power inverters. To decide what wattage would meet your need, remember that watts=amperes times volts. So read the instruction manual of the product you want to plug into the power inverter before you choose an inverter. You need to know what the surge power is, i.e. the amount of power the appliance will draw when you first turn it on. Then choose a unit that slightly exceeds that maximum as far as the surge power is concerned.

Remember that medical devices often need a pure sine wave output to operate properly. True sine wave inverters cost 2 to 3 times more than the more typical modified sine wave inverters.

If you need more assistance to choose a power inverter, please email us and we'll make a few suggestions. Or phone our customer service reps with your questions.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Can you set a temperature on a Koolatron cooler?

Question about the Koolatron Voyager 12-Volt Cooler 32 Quart

Q:"Can you set this cooler to a certain temperature?" Kip

Answer: No, there is no temperature setting on the Koolatron Voyager and other non-commercial Koolatron cooler units. These units cool 45 to 50 Fahrenheit degrees below the ambient temperature. "Ambient temperature is defined as "the temperature of the medium surrounding an object or. . . the prevailing room temperature." So if it is 90 degrees in your car, the temperature of the cooler will be 40 to 45 degrees F. We do suggest you pre-cool the unit using an AC adapter. This unit also can serve as a warmer to keep food warm for a picnic or other event where food will be consumed within 45 minutes or so.

If you have need for a commercial cooler, please contact us with your requirements and we can get a price for you dependent upon the size of the unit.

Can a 12V power inverter run a 36V battery charger?

Q: "Question about the VECTOR 400 Watt Vehicle Power System (VEC024B). Will this run a 36 volt battery charger to a golf cart?" Thanks, Charlie.

Answer: This is a 400 watt power inverter with an 800 watt surge. The unit has both battery cables and a plug for the 12V accessory outlet. For your purpose, the battery cables are necessary, the vehicle engine must be kept running and the unit then may be large enough to power the battery charger.

What is important is the amperage draw of the battery charger (which you would be plugging into one of the AC outlets on the power inverter).

The specs on this unit are that it will handle a maximum draw of 3.6 amps. If the battery charger draws less than 3.6 amps, you could plug in the battery charger and then connect it to the golf cart battery. What I don't know is how quickly the battery would charge. Also you would need to know the power surge of the battery charger. Watts=amps x volts. So if the amps are 3 and the volts are 36, then the watts required would be 108 and this power inverter would work fine.

I do not know the weight of a golf cart battery or the difficulties in swapping a dead one out for a fully charged unit. Swapping it out might be easier than using the power inverter to charge the one that is installed. And perhaps less expensive at the current cost of gasoline.

I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Barbara

Can I use this power inverter while driving?

Question about the Xantrex XPower Digital Micro Inverter 400 Watts 813-0400-01.

Q: "I haven't read anywhere that this thing works while driving and if it does is the power drain on the vehicles battery less than if the car is turned off? Also is there any noticeable power drain to the vehicle while driving?

Answer: This 400 watt power inverter will operate while you are driving. The unit uses power from the 12V accessory plug and draws power from the car or truck battery. While you are driving, the alternator is constantly charging the battery so there is no noticeable power drain. When the vehicle is turned off, the vehicle battery powers the inverter.

This tiny 400 watt power inverter offers protection with an over-temperature shutdown, a low battery voltage shutdown (10.5 VDC and automatic reset), a high battery voltage shut down (15.5 VAC and automatic reset)and an overload shutdown.

This micro-inverter provides 320 watts continuous power with 700 watts surge. The battery drain with no AC load is a mere <0.25 amps DC (at 12 V input). The unit runs: Cell phone, camcorder, stereo, laptop computer, 20" TV/VCR combo, 27" TV.

Hope this helps.

Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Barbara

How the Lunchbox Stove Heats

Q: "How does this stove heat? Heating element? Steam? Can you put the shelf type meals such as Denny Moore, in them to heat up?" Thanks. Jackie.

Answer: The Koolatron lunch box stove plugs into a 12V auto accessory plug and heats food using an internal coil. The maximum cooking temperature is 300 degress Fahrenheit. If you are preparing food that requires a higher temperature than 300 degrees F, first cook the food at home and then take it with you in your car, truck or motor home.

Please contact us again if you have questions about any of our products.

Sincerely, Barbara

What does turbo cooling mean on a power inverter?

Question about the product: Vector Black and Decker 1500-Watt Power Inverter VEC050D.

Q: "This VEC050D has Turbo Cooling. Does this mean that the inverter has an electric fan? What is the warranty? Who holds the warranty?"

Answer: The Vector 1500 watt power inverter has an internal electric cooling fan to keep the unit from overheating , thus protecting the internal lparts. This cooling fan is called "turbo cooling." The warranty is 2 years and is held by the manufacturer after the first 30 days.

If there is a problem with the inverter within the first 30 days after purchase,