Hi all, So I've been searching / reading up on IR heaters and I can easily find IR bulbs /heaters, at 30W+ but the bulb's are pretty big (in regards to what I want). Is there not any smaller-scale /electronic componets for producing IR heat? I know there are IR LEDs but is that the same thing? I'm a bit lost and I swear I came across something before that had an array of small scale IR heating componets, but quite frankly I dont really know what I'm searching for, in regards to a correct name etc... Thanks in advance :)

Okay so my plan is to build a usb heater for the contest, so it can heat up coffe, hot chocolate, of tea. i am wondering if there is another way of building this than to use a cpu and resistors. any information will help. thanks!

Hi everybody! As sais in the title of the topic, I want to realize a USB heater. Let me introduce you to what I think. Last week, I was in the store near high school with some friends, and one of them told me : "It would be cool if we could heat up things in high school, to have like a mini oven directly in our locker, working with battery." Of course, the idea is not to install a oven in our locker, firstly because it would need an incredible battery, and secondly because it would be pretty dangerous.... So here is the idea : the goal is to heat up at least 2 chocolate breads at 60°C. The heating time is not very important, but it has to be under 40 minutes (a system will start the oven before our break). But here is not the most complicated : the oven has to get its power from a usb power bank(I can plug in 2 power banks if necessary). To conclude, I have to fin a solution to heat approximately 1.5L,( but most of it is filled with air), at 60°C, with a power of a maximum of 20W. I saw things to heat coffee by USB, would it work if I take the heating pad? Also, I would like to know how much power I can  get from a power bank (in W), before it to heat too much.

I am looking for plans or instruction on building an induction heater for experiments I can share with my kids.

I stay in the northern area of India and have been using different types of heaters for warming a room. The one i feel s the most effective is halogen heater since they don't dehydrate the room like the others, but commercial heaters are ... how should I put this ??? SISSY ... they have only 2 - 3 halogen tubes and they don't heat the room fast enough. I planning to make one with 6 tubes. Any inputs ? any things i need to be careful about ??

When I was younger, we played with the heating packets from MRE's (Meals, Ready to Eat - Military field meals). My favorite thing to do was to put a pouch inside a plastic container (with a screw-on lid), add water, tighten the top, and wait for the large boom. Here's my question: The heaters release moderate amounts of hydrogen gas once water is added. Of course, with an enclosed container, it will quickly reach pressures adequate to blow a bottle apart (wear eye-wear). But once I joined the military we would add a flame source, so we could see just how large the blast was. I wasn't so sure that flame would actually add anything to the gas explosion. They were sure of it. Is anyone aware if: The presence of flammable gas (exploding from a plastic bottle) with an external ignition source would increase the blast? Or maybe just add another factor to it? I'm sure somebody knows. Every once in a while, though I've been out of the military for about 4 years now, I still find it surfacing from my friends. Just curious.

12v 120w car heater should draw 10amp per hr and 50amp in 5 hrs , is this correct or is there other factors effects this guesstimate?

Does anyone know where I can find a solar powered water heater? I have an outdoor kitchen & would love to have heated water. Small size-under 15gl would be just great. Thanks-txrosee@yahoo.com

Hello, just wondering if anyone could post any links or anything about old oil heaters. Not the pressure fed ignited furnace type, but the gravity fed ones with a simple carburetor. I have one in the garage that originally came from an old railway caboose. The previous owner (5 years ago) used to heat the garage with it but I haven't the foggiest how to clean, light, or maintain the thing. I'm sure if I take it apart I will be able to figure it out, but was just wanting to get and idea of what to do to it to maintain it. Thanks in advance!

I would like to build a solar panel to heat my garage.  I intend to use a 4x8 used piece of glass, 2x4s, and cardboard tubing.  I can handle this part.  I need help with the air circulation.  I would like to have a solar fan come on when the temp inside reaches 70F.  What parts do I need and how do I connect the parts?

Just wondering if anybody knows of any links or anything for the cleaning, maintenance, and lighting of the old free standing oil heaters? Not the kind with blowers and ignitors, just the basic ones that people used to use to heat their houses and such. I have one in my garage from an old railway caboose and would like to use it on occasion in the winter, but the only info I can find on the net is for oil burning furnaces... A totally different animal. Thanks in advance!

Hi all, I am camping in my SUV in northern CA. It's a bit cold at night and in the morning, and can stay warm with blankets and a sleeping bag, but, when I get up, and want to change clothes or just sit, it is really cold. It's a 1999 Ford Explorer V6, and I am trying to find or make a device that would heat the interior without turning the engine on.  I've seen handwarmers on amazon and ebay, but I don't see anything that warms that much space without a plug and without CO2 emission. Any ideas?

The pilot light will not stay lit? i have replaced the "generator " which is what they call it rather then a thermo coupler . wondering if i should pull the gas valve ? I'm not exactly sure on how the generator keeps the pilot gas on? anyone have any ideas?

I have tried so many different ways to heat my pool water and have had little luck. One way I did it was to take about three hundred feet of black 1/2" drip line and run it around the pool rim. I supplied cold water from a smalloutlet attached to the return line,using the power of the filtration pump to move the water from the pool through thecoil and I adjusted the flow to about half of the normal, then at the end I had the heated water re-enter the pool. Iwould say the water got to about 100 degrees, by the time it went through the drip line. The problem is that it wasn'tefficient enough to have any real effect on the pool water temperature which stays at about 60-65 even on the hottest days. I live in the Sacramento area of California, and we get pretty hot summers, usually about 90-105. Any suggestions on how I could make this idea more efficient? My pool water temp is always too cold to swim in, and I have a capacity of 12,000 gallons.

Hey guys, I am looking for some info on how to take an existing oil burner 'gun' (I have an extra Beckett burner) and rig it up to burn waste oil. I make biodiesel already, but I'd like to try burning some waste vegetable oil and motor oil as well. I figured since I have the extra gun, I might as well try it on that. I'm assuming I'll need to set up a pre-heating tank, and some sort of pressurized system to spray the oil since its thicker and heavier. Anyone already done this?

Hello I am Melwin from India I want to create a Car Can/ bottle Warmer/ Heater. My Basic Aim is to make hot water for preparing baby formula my baby when I travel with family in my car. This way I can avoid multiple stops for getting hot water. The commercial versions are available in the Market for a minimum of 3000 Rupees. It is very rare to buy in India My plan is to buy a 220 v 1000Watt Heating Element and cut it to suit to 12v When i measured one test setup with such a coil I get around 1.5 Amps per coil. I didnt have a thermometer to test how hot it gets. Since the car Cigarette Lighter supports 10A. I can easily Add 4-6 Coils of the same length in parallel. Also I can add switch to get different temperatures by adding up coil for each switch. 1-2 Coils = Warm. 3-6 coils = Heat. I dont want it to be a huge cooker. It should be able to heat up a glass (200 ml ) of water till 50- 60 degrees C) A higher version can have a Thermostat to cut off things as a safety feature. If this setup succeeds in boiling up water then I can also have my favourite cup nooodles when on long trips with friends I plan to make a small ceramic frame to mount the heating elemmet. On top I will place a Copper plate. Leaving some gap between the Plate and coil. This entire setup will sit in a Tin can of suitable diameter. I need to think about how i get the ceramic frame to Sit inside the can without touching the Metal. To this Metal can i will attach a handle so that it can be handled when hot. My next question. Where do I place it in my car safely. Suggestions/ Concerns/ Comments please Melwin

I need a replacement heating element, D80, for a vintage elec. heater made by the Carborundum Co. of Niagara Falls.  Any help?

Oh please help me decide( and more importantly convince my buzz word influenced wife), I want to replace my current hot water heater, there's nothing wrong with the current one other than being 18 years old, meaning it's a ticking time bomb waiting to flood my house. So anyways, the local gas concern has partnered with local contracters Tankless install $25 a month of 60 months, minimum spec heater, does not include expensive, required stainless steel venting. $450 rebate Tank heater 40 gallon install $10 a month sixty months, includes venting $350 rebate Now the no brainer, my gas bill is averaged at $41 a month, $30 is actual gas charges, Now, the tankless claims to save "up to 50%" which is marketing speak for "does not save 50%" but let's say it does, I would save $15 a month, the difference between the cost of the tankless versus the tank, so it would be 54 months before I started saving money. And since we plan on "upgrading" to a new house before five years (when I've graduated), I will never see those savings. Guess I really should get the tank heater, what do you think?

Hia! Would this work. I have a lava lamp base, which heats up (I think its a heat lamp). If i made a platform and put a metal kettle ( Hey! That rhymes!) on top, would it heat the water up? hat about other food uses for one? Thanks!

Some might have already tried my first induction heater, which was more a proof of concept than a modern device. Although I like to keep things simple where possible I want to upgrade my heater to a fully electronic version running on mains power. This time the base concept is to use a cheap induction cooktop for the control and power source. After using a few already as a communication device I realised it is a costly way of producing smoke signs but I am getting on the right track with the design now. So my obvious questions are: 1. Did actually anyone ever built my current induction heater and if so, can you provide some nice pics? 2. If you were interested in a hobby induction heater, what would like to do with it?     E.g: Just for curiosity on how it works, heat treatment of punches, chisels and similar,     heat treating knifes or even swords, sheet metal work.... 3. What would like to have included?     E.g: Water cooling for continous use, air cooling (mostly for smaller and quick jobs), exchangable coils,     additional micro controller for temp, water and remote control (foot panel or similar)... 4. Do you require a fully shielded version to avoid interference? 5. If you are based in AU (preferable VIC): Would you be able to donate me faulty (partially or fully) or working induction cooktops,     for example discarded units with broken glass tops?     Would you able to donate me copper tubing OD8mm or less? Leftovers from pluming installations, old LPS systems or similar?     Prefered lenght 1m or longer as the coils need quite a few turns... :(     Each donor will of course be listed in the Instructable unless you prefer to remain unnamed. Let me know what you think because this time I am not just building for myself, this time it is for you!

Hi, I need some advice on how to wire up a homemade mirror heater or demister. I have an old toaster which I have gutted to get the heating elements. I also have a few old wallwarts to power the thing. Is using these wires the right thing to use as a heat source? It doesn't have to get hot, just slightly warm. What kind of circuitry will I need to warm up the wire? I also got some modelling latex to embed this wires in to make a heating "pad" for the mirror and to insulate it. Is there a better material I can enclose the elements in. Thanks.

Hi friends i want to make electric heater that could give sufficient heat with 12 volt dc battery. how much nichrome wire in lenght should i use and how much gauge of nichrome wire should i use. i love for your kind replies. love u all

I have a sauna heater Voltage: 380~400 V 3N~ is there any well of wiring it up to 240v 

Hi my good friends want to ask a simple question i want to make an electric heater. what is relation between wire length and gauge of nichrome wire for use in heaters. how gauge and length of wire can effect the efficiency of heater output. is there any other wire that have more heating output than nichrome wire? thanks all and love u waiting for your kind replies.

I am trying to replace a popoff valve on my gas water heater, the heater is about 10 yrs old and is leaking at the plastic valve on the top where the water supply comes in. I have found a replacement but not sure how to get the old off and the new on?

Hey I got this solar heater stuff off craigslist but have no idea how to hock it up to my water system any idea what parts goes where?

Hello, First time poster! :) I've been reading up on some projects on this site centered around small homebrew heaters. One I came across I want to adapt is using two resistors and usb port power to make a small coffee mug heater. I'm kind of a novice at electronics, but I'd like to know how to design such a heater with safety and functionality in mind. I also want to control this heater via arduino if I can get a prototype together. Some questions I have: Where to get and what kind of resistors for heaters? How do I figure out what resistors to use based on power. e.g. 12v or USB power? What's a good thing to "encase" the resistors with that will withstand heat? I have thought about using radiator repair epoxy. Thanks for any help!

I have one of those inflatable pools that is 12'-0 x 3'-0. It is in a partially shaded yard and the water does not get very warm. Any ideas on how to warm up the water??? I have thought about using black pvc pipe and mounting that on top of our roof and possibly getting a larger pump to cycle the water. Please help

Solar heater for above ground swimming pool

It did not come with any instructions

At first the fan would go on and off now and then if i hit a speed bump or a mud puddle. if it wouldnt come back on i could open my hood and slam it back down and the fan would start. now my fan quit working all together. i have tried to look for loose wires under the glove box and to check fuzes. i checked the fuzes under the hood and when i was looking under the glovebox (as well as possible) i noticed 2 more fuzes. do u think this is a loose wire or fuze problem or a burnt heater.  whats the best way to get to the heater fan. and where is the fuze located

I heat my house with a barrel stove(w/plenum surround) that is in my basement. My propane water heater is 3 feet away and I wonder if I can add a coil of sometype and connect to the water heater and be able to control the water temp. Are there any plans out ther? Thanks for your help, David

Replaced a new damage heater same make that did the same thing. Exhaust doesn't go up pipe so there fore gets hot and shuts off. Checked pipe for blockage. Found nothing. Service man doesn't get it either. Does anyone have any ideas? .

I purchased one Induction heater (2KW) in Korea where the supply voltage is 220V/50Hz. I want to use this in India where the supply voltage is 230V/50Hz. Can this be used? 

I have old wall heater in my 1956 house. I don't want to rip it out. is there so thing clever I can do with it? A secret space, book shelf, storage? And how do I take it apart?  It looks like the image I loaded but I remember it having a central column.  Suggestions, comments. can opener. 

If I take the outside cooling coil fron the AC,. bring it inside and rapp it around the top of my fireplace/ wood stove . replace the freeon with glycol or anti-frezze. Would I not be able to take the exccess heat from the wood stove and move it to the $$$forced air electric furnace  for distobution trough the house? What do you guys think? Will this work? What did I miss? Regards Neil

Hi I have a Miele W5741 washing machine which is three years old. The other day it tripped the electricity (RCD) I found that it would trip the RCD every time regardless of what program I used. After a few trials I have found the following: if I use the machine and select cold water (no heating of water) then it does not trip the electricity (RCD). So my conclusion is that it is the heater that is causing the washer to trip the electricity! What do you think? I opened up the front to locate the heater. However I don’t see how I can remove the heater as I see no screws! I have attached a pic so you can see the front/heater.

Im looking to start a water garden, i dont have much room in my back yard so i have decided on a 8 foot long trench thats about 6 inches wide with a pump to keep the water flowing. the only problem i am having is the growing season here isnt long enough to grow some of the plants that i would like to grow, i was thinking an underwater heater would be a good solution to keep the temperature above freezing and some what extend the growing season. Any thoughts on a good heater set up i could use that would keep the entire trench an even temperature without having to have a seperate heater every few feet?

I have an idea for a wind powered outside LED light for the family's cabin. It would be on a pole and illuminate the pathway, just like a street light would do. So I wanted to have a battery in a box with my wind turbine charging the battery through the day and night. The problem is, it gets really cold sometimes like -36F / -38C and that would kill the battery. So, I also wanted to include some really small, simple heater inside the box. I'm having problems finding anything on what would be the best way to go about this. Wikipedia says heaters are made by resisting current. Are there special types of resisters you add to your DC current to create heat? Thoughts, suggestions, feedback are all welcome. Thanks.

Dear  All..... In this circuit and formula  on (GOOGLE). Please could you help me to know 3 questions: -How  I can measure resonant frequency  of this circuit, because it has   2 L and 2 C on this circuit?. - where I  must to put the probes in this circuit for measures frequency? - If I want to used less power(less heating) I must change L  or C  or both?  Thank you so much in advance  for your time.

I wish to build a simple, afordable, low cost, solar water heater that is easy to construct and does not need electricity. Is that possible?

Ok, so this is my first post. I love this site! Anyway, I have a couple of old coffee pots that still heat the water, they just dont make coffee anymore. Im wondering if maybe i could make a very small and very low energy use space heater out of the parts. any ideas on how this might be accomplished would be great.

I want to make a portable steam generator for my school project. So I want to know if there's any battery powered water heater (that can be used to generate the steam) The steam generator device will be used to help you unwrinkle your clothes without ironing them (in case of no electricity or laziness) so I need any battery powered water heater that is strong enough to generate a lot of steam. Please help or give suggestions. Thank you

I have a 3,000 gallon inground pool and no heater. If I took a barrel, stuck it in the shallow end just a half inch above being totally submerged, and lit a fire inside it it would it work to heat the water around it and eventually heat up the pool?

Among the many tutorials for building an induction heater out on the internet, there are two primary types. Some heaters use a ZVS circuit, and are quite simple but generally limited to a power of around 1000 watts, not enough to melt most metals. Other heaters use PLL controllers and coupling transformers to add charge the primary coil/capacitor loop, and these can be much more powerful but are significantly more complicated (and expensive) to build. It seems the limiting factor in the power of the ZVS circuits is that they can use only 2 MOSFETs, and each must conduct large amounts of current. However, if these could be replaced with IGBTs, which could conduct far more current, a much more powerful ZVS induction heater could be built. Is there any reason IGBTs couldn't be used for a ZVS heating circuit?

Anyone have an idea to funnel the hot air from a computer into the surrounding air to be used as a space heater? Its getting cold up here and the only significant source of warmth is my video card.

I need some help. Well, I'll be honest, I need a lot of help.  I am trying to heat 1 liter of water running through a small tube that holds 8ml of fluid up by 12C, with a maximum temperature of the heater reaching 60C, and the entire liter needs to be heated within 30 minutes.  In my experiments, the tube holds 8ml of fluid while passing along the 'heater' core, and will pass by the core in a total of 10 seconds. So 8ml heated by 12C in 10 seconds is the limiting factor and multiply that out to cover 30 minutes.  The good news, I have managed to accomplish this feat by wrapping the tube around a curling iron rated at 80W x 110V. End result is 12C rise in output fluid, so I know the theory is completely possible.  However, here's the kicker, the entire system needs to run off of battery power.  So the 2 big questions are: what material should I use as the 'heater core' since I can not use a standard curling iron, and what battery system/configuration should I use (needs to be universal purchase ie, AA, AAA, D, C, 123, 9V, etc) Any help would be greatly appreciated both to my personal safety as I tinker in the garage, and to my wife's sanity as she watches me play with water around plugged in curling irons. :) Thanks in advance. WS.