12v windscreen demister heaters..?

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stevewestern

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Anyone use one of these sort of things ?
My windscreen takes an age to clear on cold damp mornings, so I am wondering if anyone can recommend one that plugs into the cigarette lighter like this sort of thing

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-200W-...637470?hash=item3d2a79e85e:g:RdoAAOSwMVdYHWRs

At 200w I am not expecting miracles, nor will it heat the car, but if it helps clear the screen before the engine warms up then that would be great.
My car is a diesel Citroen Berlingo, and I believe the fuse is 15amp, so the above should be ok.


Thanks for any suggestions.
 
My wife's car suffered from bad window mist in the mornings, we cured it with lane of those car silica humidifiers :)
 
mrgubby said:
My wife's car suffered from bad window mist in the mornings, we cured it with lane of those car silica humidifiers :)
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I did use a sock filled with cat tray litter stuff in another old car we had with some success, so it might be worth trying again - thanks for reminding me!
 
stevewestern said:
I did use a sock filled with cat tray litter stuff in another old car we had with some success, so it might be worth trying again - thanks for reminding me!
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I bought three from Amazon. One in the car, one drying in the airing cupboard and one already dry for when she forgot :)
 
My car has a heated windscreen ... but I think one of the fuses is gone, apparently there are two fuses for it .... Yesterday morning it only cleared a few vertical lines when the windscreen was frozen.
 
My cars are parked next to my garage so I run a normal, cheap fan heater in the car for 10-15 mins. Windscreen is defrosted and doesn't freeze up again as you drive, car is warm until the engine warms up, cold engine isn't idling. You need to be able to run out an extension lead though.
 
That's a 2kw fan heater. I doubt the small 12v ones will generate enough heat.
 
Gremlin said:
Does it have aircon ?
Run that, brilliant at demisting the screen
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Its going in to get the aircon recharged Wednesday - for some reason I've never used it in any car, could be a throwback to the days when aircon meant huge fuel consumption, or at least I thought it did...
 
stevewestern said:
Its going in to get the aircon recharged Wednesday - for some reason I've never used it in any car, could be a throwback to the days when aircon meant huge fuel consumption, or at least I thought it did...
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Have it tested first, if it hasn't been used the chances are the seals have dried out and/or the compressor is shot, AC has to be used and serviced to keep it working correctly when in a car as it has flexible seals that need to be kept lubricated.
Matt
 
MatBin said:
Have it tested first, if it hasn't been used the chances are the seals have dried out and/or the compressor is shot, AC has to be used and serviced to keep it working correctly when in a car as it has flexible seals that need to be kept lubricated.
Matt
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Thanks for that Matt - I'll mention it to my garage, who in all likelihood would check it anyway - they are a good and honest bunch who depend on recommendation and repeat business.
 
MatBin said:
Have it tested first, if it hasn't been used the chances are the seals have dried out and/or the compressor is shot, AC has to be used and serviced to keep it working correctly when in a car as it has flexible seals that need to be kept lubricated.
Matt
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They have new rules now. They have to pressurise and check for leaks before they can regas so that they aren't just pumping gas into the atmosphere. They also have to capture the gas, extract it all and store it before they can regas with new.

I've spent 10 years chasing leaks around the TVR aircon, well I say aircon, the cold air output in summer is as effective as a mouse blowing with a tiny ice cube in it's mouth... (not that it's not good, it's just the car generates so much heat in traffic...)
 
Byker28i said:
They have new rules now. They have to pressurise and check for leaks before they can regas so that they aren't just pumping gas into the atmosphere. They also have to capture the gas, extract it all and store it before they can regas with new.

I've spent 10 years chasing leaks around the TVR aircon, well I say aircon, the cold air output in summer is as effective as a mouse blowing with a tiny ice cube in it's mouth... (not that it's not good, it's just the car generates so much heat in traffic...)
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I think my cat ate that mouse on Sunday and left just it's arse and tail on the lounge rug. :lol:
 
viv1969 said:
I think my cat ate that mouse on Sunday and left just it's arse and tail on the lounge rug. :LOL:
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Cat I borrow it, will it live in my garage?
My garage seems to be a mouse 5 star hotel. I have a number of traps around the car after they started eating the wiring, others in corners and runs after they chewed up my garage bog roll for bedding, they even got into my huge tool chest and chewed the plastic wrapping on cable ties. Milky way seems to be the best bait. I'm hoping I've got them all now,
 
Snickers or peanut butter work best IME.
 
Byker28i said:
Cat I borrow it, will it live in my garage?
My garage seems to be a mouse 5 star hotel. I have a number of traps around the car after they started eating the wiring, others in corners and runs after they chewed up my garage bog roll for bedding, they even got into my huge tool chest and chewed the plastic wrapping on cable ties. Milky way seems to be the best bait. I'm hoping I've got them all now,
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I'll courier him over :lol:
 
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