Heated jacket

[John Minchell]

I have a motorcycle heated inner jacket which I would like to use when flying so I don't freeze over the winter.  I have a number of 3 cell lipo packs which would be nearly 12volts straight off charge and could power the jacket.  How and what do I make up, to be able to work out how long each pack will power the jacket before becoming too far discharged and would it be possible to to utilise a controller of some sort to vary the heat down and up.  The jacket is 35watts at 12volts when plugged into the bike accessory power feed.  I make that nearly 3amps current draw.  Whatever I make or buy, it has to be portable and fit into a pocket along with the LiPo.  Any and all help from the electrical wizards on here will be much appreciated.

John M

[Andy Stephenson]

John,

You could use a brushed motor controller with a servo tester to vary the heat and it would have the added advantage that it would cut off before over discharging the battery

[John Lee]

As Andy says, but most of the brushed controllers are set up for NiCds or NiMhs so may not have the required cut off. However for less than a fiver there are lots of low voltage warning devices that plug into the balance lead of the LiPo, eg: https://www.flyingtech.co.uk/accessories/1-8s-lipo-battery-tester-low-voltage-alarm

[Rich Griff]

Luxury...I relay on porriage and being well wrapped up.

 

I have an out of date immersion suit for biking and handle bar muffs, even get tooo hot sometimes in winter weather.

 

I use the suit and half fingerless gloves for winter sloping, but the hike for the car/bike to the slope can generate a hot of heat.

[john davidson 1]

A wonesy, or is it onesie ok then  insulated boiler suit is available from places that sell kit for working in cold stores  , toasty   

[Cuban8]

Lipo alarms are available that bleep a warning/flash an led etc when voltage approaches minimum - they plug into the balance lead, use them on my 'leccy helis. Got mine for a few quid from HK but must be available elsewhere. Search Ebay - plenty available.

My remedy for cold/damp/muddy flying conditions is to stay at home - spent a couple of hours gardening over the weekend and got chilled to the bone, just can't stand about over a freezing cold winter flying field these days and dressing up like the Michelin Man doesn't really float my boat.

Edited November 30, 2021 by Cuban8

[John Minchell]

Thanks chaps - I will get one of the LiPo alarms as they are cheap enough - a mate also suggested trying a 2 cell pack and it may give enough heat, if not then try the 3 cell pack with out having to get a power regulator.  Some experiments needed.

John M

[Peter Miller]

I have a pair of heated gloves which have small 2200S1 Lipo in the back of the glove.  They come with a charger There is a button on the back of  each glove with three heat settings.

Not cheap but boy are they good. Get them from Amazon.  They are called "Intelligent Heat"

I would not want to fly with them on but  take them off to fly  and put them back on afterwards.   

[Paul De Tourtoulon]

I have also got a pair 4 years old and still working well, and dirt cheap.

[john davidson 1]

I have  had a hand warmer for many years powered with lighter fuel and a catalyst, once you start it it lasts all day, but a friend has just got a better pair  of lithium ones  called OCOOPA which you can start and stop so going to look  up the web,could make a nice Christmas pressie!