Heated Vests

[SkySteve]

I know this has been discussed before, but I don't think there is an actual thread that covers the subject. I am seriously considering getting a heated vest (I must be getting older!). I think I am looking for one that has both inserted batteries and can be plugged into the 12 volt panel power source. I'm looking for input/knowledge/experience with whatever you use. Brand names, features and purchasing sources would be great. What do you like, what do you not like, pros and cons.

[Paul Z]

Just move to Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, . . . ., problem solved. However, you'll be looking at Chase's Air Conditioning idea. I'm contemplating being the Reverse of a Snow Bird. I can't convince my wife to move, out of the Dallas Metro, so I'm thinking Live in Texas, and head north for May, June, July, & August. I've made reservations in Alaska for a Month next summer, just to get out of the heat for a while. Winters here are pretty mild except for about 3 Weeks in January & February. San Antonio has mild winters and in the summer it doesn't get as hot for as long, but I will never move back there.

[avidflyer]

I bought an electricly heated jacket last winter from The Warming Store (check the net) It uses rechargeable batteries. Never used it many times but it does work. I've also used something a lot cheaper, back when I was flying ULs, I bought a heated seat pad from JC Whitney. It plugs into a cigarette lighter port. $20 and it worked real good. I would slip it into my snowmobile suit and run the cord out the bottom of the front zipper. If I ran it on high for long it would cook me, mostly ran it on low. It still works, used it last winter in a plane that had lousy heat. I'm in northern Mn by the way, and fly all winter. Jim Chuk

[t j]

I have a Gerbings http://www.gerbing.eu/en/products/12v-heated-products/12v-heated-jacket-trousers/heated-vest heated vest. Mine is a 12 V that I plug into my Kitfox electrical system. The web site seems to say they also have a stand alone model but it is 7 V.

I didn't buy the heat controller. The microwire technology is instant on heat so I just installed an on off switch in the connecting wire. It only takes about 5 minutes on and I need to turn it off for awhile then on again when I cool off.

I have no heater in my Kirtfox and the vest works real good! I wear it in the car too. My wife controls the car heater and she wants it freezing. I'm a cold old man.

[cgruby]

Years ago I flew an open cockpit all year round and would freeze to death. I discovered a firm called Gerbing that made heated snowmobile suits. I bought the suit, socks and gloves. For the first time I was toasty warm. I did have to get a temp controller, to keep from having to cycle the circuit breaker. Later on, these heated garments started showing up in the motorcycle world. I now have a jacket liner, and gloves. They work really nice. The temp controller sets the comfort level and then you forget about it. Before I bought the new jacket liner, I had disassembled the old snowmobile suit and sewed the heated panels into my favorite motorcycle Jacket. I still have it but it doesn't work as well as the new one. I BTW, haven't used it in the KitFox yet, but probably will this winter.

[mcomeaux53]

Gerbings motorcycle jacket with the temp controller problem fixed.

[Floog]

I came up with a 'guillotine ' oil cooler flap to get my oil temperature up.
And thus more heat in the cabin.

[Floog]

It operates off choke cable in the flight deck. The whole thing weighs less than a
pound. At 8,000 ft yesterday it was 24F and my oil temperature was 175 to 180.

[jrevens]

I like it! I'm going to see how well the oil t-stat I bought works first, but will keep your idea in mind.

[SkySteve]

A couple of questions come to mind:
1. Do you use a vest with battery packs (7v) or do you plug your vest into a cigarette lighter in your plane (12v)?
2. Do you think the temperature controller is a good thing or just extra stuff to deal with?

[t j]

I plug into the plane's electrical system. Using an inline on/off switch works but the control would be nice to have. I would like to have one but it is too expensive for a poor man.

[SkySteve]

Over a year ago I was thinking about getting a heated vest, but never bought one. Well, earlier this month I bought one for my wife to give to me for Christmas (greatest idea ever). Today was the test flight. Perfection!! I was warm again. The one I got is a Tour Master with a dual heat controller so I can also purchase a set of socks later on. It's 12 volt and plugs into the cigarette lighter. One of the things I really like is it has a stand up heated collar. The controller has 5 heat settings and gets hot almost instantly. I had to keep turning the heat down to find a comfortable setting. My plane does have a heater but I think it will only keep the already cold air from getting colder. If you live/fly in cold weather, the heated vest is the best deal ever!

[DesertFox4]

Glad it works well Steve. Would think it would tax the charging system somewhat but obviously not. I hate to be cold anymore.
When you get a minute, pop a photo of it on site.
Happy New Year to you both.

[t j]

The 503 and 582 put out 175 watts from the lighting coils. The 912 puts out a little more. My Gerbings heated vest takes 47 watts. My only other electrical accessory is the starter so no lack of electrical power for the vest.

[DesertFox4]

Thanks Tom. They seem to be very efficient.

[efwd]

I commuted 35 miles on the freeway wearing a Gerbing heated windbreaker with heated gloves that attached. I still wore my leather riding jacket over the top and I was totally comfortable in 35 degree drizzling rain. My thighs were frozen when I got to work but it didn't bother me on the ride in. Hooked it right up to the battery of the bike easily.