I bought an electric blanket for cold weather camping. Used it a few times and then one side went out, figured it was the plug. Then a week or two later the second side went out. Checked the plugs and current to the blanket but no heat and the controls did not turn on.

So I figure its a bad blanket and preparing to send it back, but being on the road I was just going to buy a new one at Walmart.

Then I happened onto a post is Alfateers group about the blankets being toasted by the inverter. Seems that the output from the inverter is different from the shore power.

When I think back, I sort of remember that my side went out when we were on the inverter but the other side was not turned on that night. Then the second side went out when we were on the inverter again, not 100% sure but pretty sure.

So before I go out and get another blanket, will the inverter kill the blanket? The post said that an analogue blanket would be fine but a digital blanket would not work?

Headed towards the rockies soon.

Tom

quote:

Originally posted by Tom Loughney:


Then I happened onto a post is Alfateers group about the blankets being toasted by the inverter. Seems that the output from the inverter is different from the shore power.



Tom

Not necessarily.

There are two kinds of inverters.

The cheapest and most common is MSW, or modified sine wave. This does not put out the same AC waveform as you power pole. Many appliances or their controls don't like it. Microwaves, for example will not work, will work slower, or will fail. Or might work OK, too. Same for televisions. You just never know.

The other type is more expensive, and is called Pure Sine Wave or something to that effect. They put out power as good as your pole, and appliances run perfectly. They usually incorporated a really good charger/converter, too.

I use a Prosine 2500, and have compared its output on an oscilloscope to line power, and it is as good or better, depending. Some parks have pretty poor power.

Speaking of blankets, have you considered a down comforter? We sleep with no heat into the teens, and are quite comfortable. I should also mention that a Travasak or a large double sleeping bag seals the sides, so no cold air gets in when you roll, toss or turn. Made a huge difference for us.

Anybody buys a Travasak, ask about a good mod.

.........travasak... or two large, fluffy dogs!

Sunbeam got back to me and said they don't recommend electric blankets on mobile applications due to the difference in power. Also they won't warranty the blanket for that use either.

So we got a mid weight down comforter and found a thick polyester fluffy blanket at Target which when used together are very warm.

I also bought a small 8" fan to sit on the floor and blow towards the ceiling to circulate the air. I noticed that the floors were cool and the ceiling warm because of limited air circulation. Makes a big improvement.

Merry Christmas.

re. down comforter & polyester blanket.....you forgot the big fluffy dog!

Or two!