Anyone know where I can buy appliances that run on 12V? Like a 12V kettle to boil water in a car.
I'm also trying to think of a way to heat food, like the pre-made meals you can buy in foil pouches from the supermarket. I want something small, rather than using a microwave and inverter… I'm thinking maybe a 12V hairdryer - and blow hot air through some kind of box that I might have to make myself.
Any suggestions?
Well look at that - thank you - I'll have to go and check it out in person.
Did you try Google?. Something like this seems to produce lots of possibilities.
No, not google yet - I usually ask because someone here has tried/bought before and knows what to get and/or avoid. I saw a kettle recently somewhere for only a few dollars. I thought someone else may have seen it, and would remind me where (since all the catalogues, etc. get posted here - figured someone must've also seen it).
Try your luck in a camping forum
I suggest a propane cooker (@$14 from Kmart) for boiling your water. 12v kettles take forever… Are you planning on living in a car/van/caravan or just short-term camping?
Yeah, I know, owned one years ago. It took so long to heat up that one day I didn't realise I'd accidentally pushed the plug in - and it melted on the passenger seat.
I'd only be doing 1-3 cups of water at a time. I remember a solar water heater thing on The New Inventors a few years ago. I was a long tube that tilted in the sun. I was about to search online for it. I could use that to heat water then put it in a thermos.
Found this which is similar - unless it's the same thing and they've updated it: http://www.australiandirect.com.au/buy/sunrocket-solar-kettl…
Short term for now. Probably up to several days at a time if I could find somewhere to shower!
You can usually find hot water taps in public toilets. You could fill something with hot water, then finish boiling later. If you're quick, and its not busy, disabled toilets can be used in a pinch for a quick flannel wash. If you don't mind me asking?… What area are you in?
Found it: http://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/txt/s1740164.htm - now, to see if he actually MADE any…
The patent was most likely sold to Sunrocket, who now produces the solar kettle. I've checked a few sites dating back to 2007 and while some people were able to buy it, the stores that used to stock them now have dead URL's.
Yes, saw that one - it's half the capacity at 500ml I think. My thermos is 1L, which is why I was looking at the Solar Billy. I'm leaning towards just using the sunrocket twice though. They SEEM to list the same item two or three times in on their website. Hard to tell if it's the same item or not!?
I wouldn't bother with a 12v kettle, tried one a few years ago and it was pretty much useless, took forever. By the time it had boiled to make my cuppa everyone else was finishing theirs and heading back to work. Threw, ah stored it in the garage somewhere. What about one of these http://www.bunnings.com.au/gasmate-butane-single-burner-port… it would also warm the food for you.
Hm… Not sure. I have considered that, but already have a coleman two-burner camp stove thing. But it runs off a 3/4kg gas bottle and I'm trying to reduce weight in the car.
I had a 12V kettle years ago too. Apart from regularly flattening the car battery, it worked ok with small amounts of water - until it melted on the passenger seat. (Smelled it just in time to save the seat!) I think it took about 20-25 minutes to boil when full though, LOL.
I'm leaning towards solar for hot water now though. Maybe even a solar oven too, if I can find a small cheap one. Thinking I could heat the food in one, put that into a large thermos late afternoon - would still be hot for evening meal.
Note that 12v appliances to heat stuff will run a battery flat very quickly.
The solar stuff is good, but so expensive, and works poorly in bad weather.
Better to use a little stove with the hairspray size gas canisters. You can be all set for $20 and refills are light and cheap.
Not sure about kettle but know that these work quite well to heat through food in foil containers.
http://www.dicksmith.com.au/travel-accessories/dick-smith-12…