Electric "Heater In a Box" System

i bought something in a mesh bag at home depot (looked like small white gravel) that you hang in your basement to dehumidy and remove odor, then place in sun to dry out. let us know how it works, if it keeps the windshield dry, that would be epic!

 

The one I mentioned on the long thread about electricity to heat the car is similar, but you 'recharge' it in a microwave. My experience is that it might help very slightly, but it certainly isn't a solution.

 

yes, i put a few up around the basement without much success. broke down and bought a dehumidifier for the heavy summer humididity.

 

They are only good for small confined space.
The unit USB bought is specifying 'effective for up to 500 cu. ft.' (I think) so, on the face of it, it should be good for the job.
Looking forward to test results.

 

You could use Lithium iron phosphate batteries that are drop in replacements for car and/or motorcycle batteries. Weigh only 1/4 of what typical deep cycles weigh and they don't mind being left discharged.. They are expensive though.

 

It is heavier than I expected. It is about 2 lbs. I guess it makes sense because there are a lot of silica gel crystals.

I had it for 2 days and have made a few trips with it. It DOES NOT eliminate fogging up inside. However, it reduces greatly and I think it is a must have for PiP owners.

It extends the time it takes to fog up inside. Even if I start to see it forming, I open the window and it clears up faster. After closing the windows, the fogs don't come back as quick. This was with 2 passengers in my PiP.

The first time I tried was on my morning 10 miles commute and I left it in the car overnight. The front windows and windshield started to fog up fairly quickly and I thought this thing does not work. After more testing, I think what happened was due to the difference in temperature of my warm garage (therefore car interior temp) and the outside.

One thing I noticed, the hatch window did not fog up. I will test more and report back. I may try putting it in different locations. I have it in the storage compartment under the flying bridge.

I took a pic to show the size of it in relation to the dash and the head unit. It IS NOT where I leave it while driving so DON'T drive around with it on your dash.

 

Location (together with time of exposure) may be the key.
Remember, this things are working on diffusivity (no circulation of air) which is a slow process.

 

how does it operate, is there a battery? do you put it in the microwave to dry it?

 

i wonder how long a 12v lithium tool battery would operate a 12v heater?

 

No battery, basically same as what you hanged in your basement but in a nicer box and indicators and means for regeneration.
From what I read, you plug it in to the wall for regeneration (by internal heater?) in an open space (unless you want to humidify the room...)

 

No battery. Crystals are the "battery".

You plug it in to dry out the crystals. It has electric element inside. I guess I could dry it out in the sun too.

 

that's pretty cool!

 

how come they can operate a leaf blower for half an hour?

 

Agree. This technology is also made for relatively small spaces with the low diffusivity you mention - such as a closet or closed washing machine to dry it out.

However, the cabin of the car is functionally a very large space because the air inside is turned over rapidly every time one opens the car door or breaths for a few minutes, overwhelming the product's ability to rapidly control these humidity swings.

Certainly worth the test, and great if it can slow the window fogging process substantially.

 

Drove 18 miles today in 27 deg F. I ran the cabin heat in air recirculate mode and it fogs up much slower (3 ppl in car). This thing is already saving energy.

 

cabin heat as in 'ice is on'?

 

Yes, I can't get all 18 miles in EV so I used gas and cabin heat strategically.