solar panels...dumb question

A

AmadeusM

Banned
Joined
Jul 1, 2004
Messages
1,799
Could a lad that lives in Northern latitudes install something of that nature inside his vehicle so that at least on somewhat sunny days, he doesn't totally freeze his ass off as he enters the said vehicle?

Something that would radiate heat inside the car but doesn't require gas? If it matters I do have a sun roof.

Thanks.
 
No. Electric heat takes a lot of electricity, far more than you can get from a rooftop size solar panel. You can trickle charge your battery so it doesn't go dead on you, but you can't heat your car that way.

What you want is a remote starter. Start it up and let the heater run while you're getting dressed. :cool:
 
Start it up and let the heater run while you're getting dressed.
Click to expand...
In the winter in Albuquerque, an average of one car a day is stolen while the car is being "warmed up". On some days the number is 3-4 / day. A cold car sucks, but it beats the heck out of walking.

Just food for thought...
Best Wishes,
Bob
 
There's no need to unlock the doors.

There are a lot of people who unlock their car and start the engine and then go leave it running with the doors unlocked and of course that's an invitation to thieves, but there's no need to do that.
 
Unfortunately, even today's best solar electric cells aren't very efficient and those you can likely afford are terrible. You'll get more solar heating by painting the roof of your car flat black.
 
Bob W said:
In the winter in Albuquerque, an average of one car a day is stolen while the car is being "warmed up". On some days the number is 3-4 / day. A cold car sucks, but it beats the heck out of walking.

Just food for thought...
Best Wishes,
Bob
Click to expand...

You have to warm up a car in Albuquerque?

In the midwest, we just dress for the weather and take off. In single digit and sub-zero stuff I might fire it up early, just to make sure it starts......

Albuquerque? Warm up your car? Really?
 
It doesn't matter if the car's locked or not.

You have to warm up a car in Albuquerque?
In the midwest, we just dress for the weather and take off. In single digit and sub-zero stuff I might fire it up early, just to make sure it starts......
Albuquerque? Warm up your car? Really?
Click to expand...
Yeah, it's crazy, especially wasting fuel with the current prices. I grew up near Chicago and I don't recall ever "warming up" a car either. By the time the car's heater would get warm, I'd already be where I was going. Now with old carborated cars, they sometimes didn't run until the engine was warm. But with modern fuel injection, I don't see the point at all. Just a waste of time and fuel.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
Engine block heaters are the way to go. Plug it in and start up an already-warm car. Of course those don't work if you are parking at the office for 9 hours a day with no outside outlet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top