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USB Heated Mattress Pad…hmmm


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  • #3572999
    Adam Salinger
    BPL Member

    @asalinger

    Ok…been thinking about this one a bit…done some Google research and can’t really find anything…  I LOVE long snowshoe day hikes but can’t winter backpack because I run REALLY cold.  No matter how warm the layers are…my body just doesn’t put out enough heat to capture under the layers to say warm (at rest only)…

    So, many of us carry around extra batteries to charge things like phones, watches, headlights etc….  I’ve been thinking that we should be able to plug a USB into it that gives us some heat at night.  Not in terms of a heavy blanket…(I found some of those on-line) but in terms of a ultra-thin top cover for a 2.5 inch Thermarest sleeping pad.  Something that lays on the top of the pad, and maybe straps around the back at three points.  Something that has a small dial on the USB chord between the battery and the sleeve so that you can turn it up and down. And something that can’t turn up higher than is safe for the top surface of the pad.

    Something like this but bigger:  Heating Electric Element

    Here is someone’s stab at DYI...maybe this but bigger??

    Seems like the backpacking mattress making companies could make a killing on this …(as they see this and immediately trademark)…

    Thoughts??

    #3573003
    Lowell Mills
    BPL Member

    @farmhand357

    I dunno, even drawing 2 amps, that’s 10 watts total.  I’m not sure how much heat you could really get out of a larger pad.

    #3573010
    Rex Sanders
    BPL Member

    @rex

    You can find many models of USB-charged hand warmers on the market. The best, according to the Wirecutter, last about seven hours, and weigh 3.5 to 7 ounces. One of their favorites can even charge other devices, obviously reducing the warming time.

    But that warms just one small area, for less than one night. I doubt a heated pad covering a much larger area with a similar energy source would add much heat.

    At home, our Sunbeam Premium Quilted Heated Mattress Pad draws up to 360 watts. We can barely feel the heat when the dial is set to 4 out of 20. If the settings are linear, that’s 72 watts for a queen sized bed. Scaling down to a full-length sleeping pad, that might be 20 watts. Maybe if a USB-powered pad could draw from two or three batteries at the same time …

    For about 7 ounces, you could distribute eight Hot Hands chemical hand warmers in pockets on a sheet, providing “up to 10 hours” of warmth – enough to get through one night. And a custom sheet could target your coldest spots, e.g. feet and hips. On my next trip, I might take a few Hot Hands to throw in the foot of my sleeping bag for the coldest nights.

    — Rex

    #3573013
    R
    Spectator

    @autox

    I found another listing for what appears to be the same product listing a current consumption of 2A at 5V, so 10W.

    I just pulled a rechargeable AA NiMH out of a drawer and it says 1.2V, 2500mAh, so 3W for 1 hour.

    So you’ll need about 3 AA batteries for every hour of heat. 6 hours of heat means 18 batteries.  Granted, that’s at full power, but it’s also a small pad, less than one square foot.

    Have you tried putting a few chemical handwarmers in you bag at night?  I assume you’re already using an insulated, winter sleeping pad?

     

    #3573025
    Adam Salinger
    BPL Member

    @asalinger

    Yup…tried the Hand Warmers..and they work pretty well… Also the tried and true boiled water put into a Nelgene (lasts about 4 hours).  Just playing with ideas…  I carry a bomber battery so I just thought maybe I could make yet another use of it…

    #3573033
    Jon Fong / Flat Cat Gear
    BPL Member

    @jonfong

    Locale: FLAT CAT GEAR

    I have had a number of engineering students try to tackle this problem.  The bottom line is that insulation (down, pad, whatever) oz for oz is better than electrical heat.  Have you tried loading up on calories before going to bed?  My 2 cents.

    #3573049
    Brad P
    Spectator

    @brawndo

    You can get all sorts of USB heated clothing that would accomplish the same thing.

    #3573058
    Brad Rogers
    BPL Member

    @mocs123

    Locale: Southeast Tennessee

    What temps are you having problems with?   What sleeping pad?   What sleeping bag?

    You could always do the hot water bottle trick.  Heat water and put it in a nalgene (yes an old heavy nalgene), put inside a spare sock and put it in your sleeping bag.

    I feel confident that we can get you a solution (other then a heated pad) that will let you go out in the winter.

    #3573059
    Adam Salinger
    BPL Member

    @asalinger

    Temps below 25 down to 0….And yup…use the Nalgene every time…

    All somewhat works…I’ve just been thinking about this new new idea and wondered what was out there.  I’m enjoying reading the ideas on the thread.

     

    #3573107
    Todd Stough
    BPL Member

    @brewguy

    I was going to say what about something like this?  https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Adjustable-Temperature-Portable-Washable/dp/B07MKGKDKD/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_200_tr_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=VF267PDT22AEP9HJSRJ6

    Says works for 6 hours, could carry extra charging packs for extra nights.  Also the old boiling nalgene will stay warm most of the night.

    #3573108
    Todd Stough
    BPL Member

    @brewguy

    I’m going to also add, I feel like pads suck.  I’ve yet to lay on one that is comfortable for more than a few minutes.  Feels like they cut off circulation and then everything gets cold.   Ever try a hammock?

    #3573109
    Art …
    BPL Member

    @asandh

    rather than trying to bring more electronics in to your backcountry ” fun ” …

    why not try an old trick of one of our more famous mountaineers, Yvonne Chounard.

    before bed eat a tablespoon of sugar (think candy bar) and a table spoon of olive oil.

    this should stoke your internal furnace most of the night.

    #3573113
    Gary Dunckel
    BPL Member

    @zia-grill-guy

    Locale: Boulder

    One thing I’ve thought of, but have never actually done: sew 2 pockets/pouches onto the back side of your thick top base layer, positioned over each kidney. At bedtime, place one of the larger body warmers into each pocket. They put out more heat than the smaller hand warmers, and they also last for 7-10 hours. What this technique should do is to warm the blood passing constantly through your kidneys, which will then reach every cell in your body. It should help greatly to keep you warm. Only my theory, of course.

    Like I mentioned, I’ve never actually done this, but I always figured that it would work. The last time I slept in < 0* F I simply tossed one of these body warmers into the foot of my -40* F down bag. I was wearing significant clothing as well (Cap 3 top and bottom, plus 100 wt fleece over those, and a warm hat). At 3 AM I was so warm that I had to remove the body warmer from the foot of the bag. I also used 2 thick pads to sleep on.

    I also time my evening meal so that I will hit the sack right after I eat. This helps me stay a lot warmer while I sleep.

    Edit: My pal recently developed Reynaud’s syndrome, and he found a pair of cheap liner gloves that have a similar pouch on the back of the wrists where he can insert a regular hand warmer. That’s where the hands’ blood vessels are located, and this trick keeps his hands from going numb while we snowshoe. Toe warmers do the same thing for his feet.

     

    #3573156
    David Thomas
    BPL Member

    @davidinkenai

    Locale: North Woods. Far North.

    A USB device, even at a full 2 amps isn’t going to be more than 10 watts of heat.   A single liter water bottle, heated to 170F and cooled to 90F over 4 hours averages 10 watts of heat. Your basal metabolism is 80-100 watts.

    To a big fraction of your metabolism, you’d need lots of hot water bottles or multiple USB-powered devices.

    A hot water bottle does work to get the sleeping bag and your hands and feet warm again.

    More insulation (pad, quilt or clothing) weighs less than the batteries, can be used night after night and can’t drain flat.

    #3573470
    Chad S
    Spectator

    @schrauf

    How about a down suit? At four pounds probably less than the necessary batteries and electronics. Maybe more expensive.

    http://featheredfriends.com/expedition-down-suit.html

    #3573641
    Diane “Piper” Soini
    BPL Member

    @sbhikes

    Locale: Santa Barbara

    I’m reminded of the “Where’s the suffering?” thread.

    I’m also grateful for peri-menopause. The colder it gets the better I sleep.

    I think the best thing for warmth are two sleeping bags and a tent mate to cuddle up closer to.

    #3573688
    Jerry Adams
    BPL Member

    @retiredjerry

    Locale: Oregon and Washington

    get a sleeping bag rated -20F or something

    or get a really warm quilt that will go over your current sleeping bag

    and warmer pad

    at some point you will be warm

    balaclava over your head might be good.  wear extra clothes like insulated jacket, although there has to be enough room inside your sleeping bag for it to loft.  maybe get a sleeping bag that’s bigger around.

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