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Extra heat for the car: How good are battery heating fans really?
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Battery heating fans are supposed to discharge car windows faster in winter and warm up the interior quickly. But not every mobile model on the market fulfills the cozy expectations.
If you turn your car outside in winter, you know the problem: the windshield is covered by a thick layer of ice in the morning, the cold sits in the interior, the steering wheel is stiff and the first few minutes on the way become frosty test. The engine needs time to preheat until the heating finally starts. The manual scratching of the panes is tedious and leaves quickly. The idea of remedying a handy, battery -operated heating fan is tempting. In fact, there are now a number of devices that promise to get the windows in a short time and heat the interior. But how practical are these helpers in everyday life really? A look at technology, performance limits and alternatives shows that the market has a lot, but there are also many restrictions.
This is how battery heating fans work for the car
In principle, a battery -operated heating fan for the car is a miniature version of the well -known parking heaters, but dimensioned significantly weaker. The devices use an integrated lithium-ion battery that heats a small heating wire or a ceramic element. A fan blows the warm air outwards. The devices are portable, do not require fixed cabling and can theoretically be used everywhere: from defrosting the panes to the preheat of the seat. The heating output, which is specified in Watt, and the battery capacity are crucial. The biggest differences are here, because the more heat is generated, the shorter the battery. In a cordless heating fan, it can help to keep larger interiors warm up permanently, but is hardly possible.
Physics sets tight limits. In order to free a slice of ice or bring the interior to a pleasant level, a lot of energy is needed. However, batteries in handy size only deliver limited capacity. Accordingly, the performance of many devices is enough to dismiss small areas or increase hand heat. Manufacturers often indicate operating times of 15 to 30 minutes, after which it has to be loaded again. This is impractical for frequent drivers or frosty nights. In addition, some fans of heating only produce lukewarm air, which in practice hardly arrives against stubborn ice cream.
Sensible fields of application
Despite the restrictions, battery heating fans in the car can be useful in certain situations. For example, if you only want to discard a slice for a short time, you can save time with a handy model. Such a device is also practical to heat the hands or small areas in the vehicle. In combination with other solutions, such as a cover film for the windscreen or a classic ice scraper, you can provide flexibly for a clear view and warmth. On the other hand, if you rely on real warmth in the entire vehicle, you can better use alternatives such as electrical auxiliary heating, which is fed through the electrical system or an external power source.
Which battery heating fan for the car is worthwhile
When buying, you should pay attention to three things: the heating output, the battery capacity and the construction. Ceramic heating elements are considered more efficient and safer because they recover less overheating. Compact models with an integrated bracket are also easier to position in the interior. Devices that can be operated both via battery and the cigarette lighter are particularly practical. In everyday life there are clear differences between the manufacturers.
An example of a battery-powered device is the that is operated with 18-volt batteries and works with ceramic elements. Both this and models such as the which is operated on the cigarette lighter, are explicitly sold as a defroster. So you should degenerate the windshield and do not have enough strength to heat the interior. That is why many customers are dissatisfied with heating output and find it difficult to find a real application. However, the heat output is usually sufficient to warm up the hands.
Devices with more power have other vulnerabilities: a actually good, inexpensive device is that that works with 1450 watts and has two heating levels. The only drawback: it can only be operated at a Schukosteck can and therefore needs an adapter for the cigarette lighter in the car in order to enable the operation with a car battery.
Alternative solutions for more comfort
A native heating fan is not always the best choice. If you are traveling regularly in winter, you will benefit from a permanently installed auxiliary heating that heats up the engine in the long term. Also Can ensure well -being without having to heat up the entire interior.
In addition to heating fans, there are proven methods to keep the car ice -free in winter. A thermal disc cover saves a lot of work in the morning because the film can be removed with one hand and the disc remains free. Special de -icing sprays also help if things have to go quickly, they solve the ice layer within a few seconds. It is important to apply the spray evenly and remove the remains with a clean cloth. If you regularly have trouble with icy locks, you should also keep a de -icing spray for locking cylinders in the house at hand – not in the car, where it is unreachable in an emergency.
*This article contains so-called affiliate links to products in online shops. If a user clicks on it and buys something, the publisher receives a commission from the dealer, not from the manufacturer. Of course, where and when you buy a product is up to you.
Source: Stern

I’m a recent graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism. I started working as a news reporter for 24 Hours World about two years ago, and I’ve been writing articles ever since. My main focus is automotive news, but I’ve also written about politics, lifestyle, and entertainment.