I use a Sunbeam heated mattress pad (110v) on the bed and a down comforter over me. The heated mattress pad has a thermostat too and draws very little power. The combo keeps me nice and toasty. Stay warm everyone.

@deekorbel5259

7 ай бұрын

I love my heated mattress pad too.

@MultiHairypotter

7 ай бұрын

I do the same and love it. Turn off the furnace at night even !!

@nana_ginny

7 ай бұрын

I purchased 2 wool comforters instead of down, it is heavier. We use heated mattress pad & a wool comforter with a king blanket & it is so warm 😊

@BIG-DIPPER-56

7 ай бұрын

The mattress pad is the way-to-go, I wholeheartedly agree! The pad only warms you, the blanket looses a lot of heat into the air.

I don't live in a vehicle but I live in a 120 year old house that can be drafty in very cold weather. I love my electric blanket! Bought one for every family member. Saves me a fortune on my heating bills. 😄

@patriciacole8773

7 ай бұрын

I put flat cardboard boxes from uhaul inside window frames. Especially at night. Or during a cold snap. Amazing difference!

@guylamullins3602

7 ай бұрын

I live in a mobile home and have peripheral neuropathy. I had a simple Walmart electric blanket. It worked great with 3 heat settings. I’m wondering if it could be plugged into a solar system for backup.

@b.savage8953

4 ай бұрын

Love , love , love my USB blanket 💯❤💯

@michellelaclair

2 ай бұрын

@@patriciacole8773 cardboard inside vehicle windows or home windows?

I've kept a 12v blanket in my semi truck for years and love it. I also got one for my little elderly dog who has been with me in the the truck for 15yrs, she really likes her blanky in the winter.

battery saving tip is to use a thick blanket on top of the heated blanket. Because the more you can insulate the blanket, the less heat that will be wasted into the air, and more heat will go into your body.

Hi bob I wanted to let you know about a third kind of electric blanket that will work a lot better for people who have very limited battery capacity. USB heated blankets have a max draw of 15 watts and work well enough to provide suprisingly decent heat. A regular 12v blanket kills my EB3A but im left with a good amount of power left when I wake up with the usb blanket. The power meter says it consumes 10 watts on high. If you decide to do a follow up I hope you can bring this option to peoples attention.

@anybodyoutthere3208

7 ай бұрын

What brand would you recommend Sounds like a great option

@carmenmartinez2882

6 ай бұрын

I have one, mine is a sleeping bag liner, use it inside the sleeping bag and keeps you nice and warm using very little Volts, works better inside the sleeping bag but not bad under it. I’m not in a van, I tent camp when temperatures hit the teens it works great, specially if you add a military wool blanket to the mix low setting is all you need.

@NoZenith

6 ай бұрын

What specifically do you recommend?

@TinyHouseDreaming

6 ай бұрын

Yes please give a brand name of what you have? Thx in advance

Or you could use a heating pad instead of a blanket. Packs up smaller, draws less power, pretty versatile. I’ve stayed in 8* overnight with a heating pad and decent sleep system and lived to tell the tale. As long as your core is warm, you’ll be fine.

@texasgirl6000

7 ай бұрын

And as long as you have power. It's always a good idea to have a backup plan in case you lose power.

@pamreneick464

7 ай бұрын

Yesvi need a new heating pad . I was reading so.eother responses ,heating pad with reflective under the sheet siubds perfect . I hate to freeze😮

@nylamunk368

7 ай бұрын

I have one draped over my recliner, in the winter, to stay warm. Works great!

@PopFizzPaperDani

7 ай бұрын

@@texasgirl6000 With my sleep system, I’d still be fine, just a little chillier.

@NoZenith

6 ай бұрын

My feet get cold and I cannot sleep because I'm miserable so I need more than my core

I was surprised by the 110v using less battery. Great video. Great , usable information! Thanks Bob...

My daughter loves my heated blanket that comes out every winter and stays on the couch. It has “Safe and Warm Technology” heating, which means it has the safe 12v wiring within the blanket but has a converter box on the 110v power line. The heat it produces is the best! It doesn’t have hot and cold spots, but rather a very comfortable steady heat. It has the easiest dial situation of an on button with a dial settings of low-1-10 as well as auto shut off after 8 hours. This type of safe and warm technology is designed to not burn you, not overheat, and not catch fire. It’s what I recommend to everyone, especially diabetics and the elderly. You can’t feel the wires at all! My daughter said the Eddie Bauer twin extra cozy Sherpa safe and warm’ blanket I gave her for Christmas last year drew less power overnight in her van than her 12v thin throw blanket! She also said, “you were right mom, I didn’t need a twin sized, should have just gotten the throw blanket size for the van”. Pro tip: only get as big as you need to heat which saves on power also. Many brands of blankets use the “Safe and Warm Technology” but if it’s not printed on the dial, then it’s not the “Safe and Warm Technology”. I liked my couch blanket so much that I found a king size blanket for our bed and it comes with controls for both sides.

@CarolinaCarolina-ph9mx

7 ай бұрын

I was just over at Eddie Bauer's website, and it doesn't appear they are selling electric blankets right now, unfortunately. I think the Sunbeam electric blanket looks to be a good option (for those with a power station or inverter), however, with 12 different heat settings. I think staying on the lower heat settings is the key to using using a 110v electric blanket, and allowing it to work much more efficiently than the 12v one. Bonus points for it being larger with more wiring and heat throughout the blanket, which could likely make a person feel warmer so not have to kick the heat up as high.

@AlejoHausner

7 ай бұрын

A 12 volt heating pad has a lot less EMFs than a 110 volt one. EMFs have been linked to all kinds of health problems.

You might also look into a reflective mattress pad for under the sheet-a thin foam pad laminated to a reflective blanket that reflects your body heat back up to your body instead of having to warm the mattress. I have found that they work great to keep me warm with a nice blanket. Amazon has them for about $20 and no power needed.

@sueg2658

7 ай бұрын

Looks terrific. One Amazon reviewer said it’s slippery. But I think some silicone caulking dabbed and flattened in stratigic places might keep things from slipping around. I’m going to buy some of these mats and use one under my doggies mat to keep him warmer too. I can think of lots of uses for the product and it’s inexpensive. Thanks for the heads up.

@janetkoball44

7 ай бұрын

Sounds great.

Great analysis between the 12v and 110v. Who knew? The key to either, like you say, is to use a quality down comforter with it to keep the heat in.

Camping in my tent once at 22 F I put a down blanket under me and another down blanket on top. My body created its own little oven between the 2 downs. On top of twas a couple blankets. Worked out pretty good! I know a sleeping bag for that climate might have been better, but I didn’t plan on it being that cold in April. Was sure glad I had those extra blankets though!!!

@anitasimmons3599

7 ай бұрын

Wool blanket or even a rug underneath you would work better than the down because when it is compressed down has very little insulating value. Even a yoga mat or backpackers close cell foam mat would help. I am always surprised at how effective a truck mylar window covers helps keep cool from coming up from underneath, especially when sleeping on the ground in a tent or bivy.

@wobu5361

6 ай бұрын

i hope you had 1” foam under the lower down comforter!

I really like your channel. Perhaps the only place for very cost effective approaches to van life.

First of all, let me tell you, Sunbeam has great customer service. Recently, my Sunbeam electric blanket stopped working and it was well over a year out of warranty--maybe a couple of years out of warranty. But just for the heck of it, I sent them an email. And guess what? They sent me a brand new one. They didn't have to do that and I didn't deserve it, but heck, it sure was nice of them. Now, for car camping. It would be nice to have an electric blanket, but I don't like the idea that I might drain a battery. Thermal underwear and a good down blanket will keep you warm in very cold weather. But, very effective, is using hot water bottles. If you've got a decent blanket or two to put over you, a couple of hot water bottles will give you so much heat that you won't be able to sleep until you remove them. They cost about $8 each. I fill them with boiling water from my JetBoil. In the morning, they're still warm. The advantage of an electric blanket is the thermostat, but if your main concern is that you want to be warm enough, hot water bottles are the way to go.

Very informative, I appreciate all you have to offer in your videos.

I’m so glad you are making these videos. I’m living with my elderly dad in my childhood home and I’m starting to spin out with worries about what I’ll do when he’s gone. I’m not able to work but don’t qualify for disability. I came here for comfort because I know there’s a community of people who live in homes on wheels I can connect with when that dreaded time comes..

@anitasimmons3599

7 ай бұрын

Kennedy, try to enjoy your father and learn all you can during the time you have him and a place to stay. Reach out to services for caregivers in your area. Everyone can benefit from community and support. Worry is a waist of energy. There is help, it just takes time to find what you need and get on the wait list for services. I will add you to my prayers.

This is educational - thanks!

Just to compare notes, I have an always-on 12v blanket that draws 40-50 watts, so it will run for 15 hours on my 750-watt power station. Just used it (it was 24 degrees) and worked great all night, with 30% power left the next day.

Thanks Bob for everything you do. I live in RV and enjoy my electric blanket😄

I love the newer USB powered blankets. 😊

Use those inside two zipped together sleeping bags makes making bed easier too

Another good video!! You could use a duvet for comforter (cover it like a pillow case) then you only wash the duvet.

Great info! The 120 volt would also work in an on-grid home…..bonus! Turn down the furnace and use the blanket and hopefully save $ on your heating builds. Thanks Bob for another eye opening comparison! Can’t wait for your next episode. Love from NW Colorado.

Very helpful .. thank you for sharing the information.

A wonderful comparison for a toasty night's sleep. I don't like to stay too warm after my initial warm up. I really appreciate down . Thanks Bob

I absolutely love my Sunbeam 110v blanket. Keeps my nice and tosty even in freezing temperatures. I do layer a few blankets on top. And still have plenty of power left in my 200ah AGM battery after about 6 hours running on the number 6 temp setting.

Love these reviews, straight forward information, with a stunning background. ❤️

I love blankets

I have had an 12 volt car throw for several years. On very cold days I heat my bed for about a hour before I get in and it is very welcome. I sleep on the electric blanket and (of course) have several blankets on top of me. Works well.

Great informative video Bob , and I love your back yard ! 😊

I have the Sunbeam blanket. I drape it across my shoulders here at my desk on chilly MN winter evenings. Anything over "2" and I get cooked. LOL

I was just watching your older videos on blankets last night 😊Great update 👍

Thank you, Bob! I really appreciate everything that you do for all of us. Take care, my friend .

It's very important to note that the 110-volt blanket must work only from a pure sine wave inverter. If running from other inverters, the interference between the inverter waveform and the blanket's duty cycling can cause the controller to melt.

@larrywillard844

3 ай бұрын

*SINE wave inverter* - thank you for pointing this out.. I had heard this before, especially concerning electric blankets (and read above of one female that had bad luck).

Thanks for the video Bob. You continue to inspire me to live my best life!

Arcturus wool blankets are about $40 and super warm. I got one when my electric blanket quit and I think it keeps me warmer.

What I've come to learn recently is running 12 volts from some power stations can be harder on power than through their inverters, as strange as that may sound. Power stations that drop the power down to 12 volts from 36 or 48 volts through a buck converter (if cheap) can be worse or not much better in some cases than an efficient inverter. There is a KZread channel that has tested many makes and models of power stations showing charts using different amounts of power, 100watts, 200watts etc. Those down blankets would definitely be the way to go 👍

Thanks Bob! I love when you explain the electric stuff so a simpleton like me can understand it. All that amp, volts and watts goes way over my head. Keep up the great work!

Plugged in the wife’s throw heated blanket ac 110. Was only pulling an average of 30watts from my bluetti ac180. I was very surprised!

Good information Bob. Thanks you. Have a good week.

Thank you for another informative video! Happy trails!

Thank you Bob! Extremely useful information going forward. 👍👍

Answering questions I didn't even know to ask! Thanks for this comprehensive review!

Great info!!

Thanks. Unusual test! Love it your practical vids.

Appreciate the scoop, Bob -- and love the background.

Thanks Bob

Thank you so much for the review! Very helpful information :)

Thanks again for the video

Thanks, great video.

Walmart has an electric blanket and electric Sherpa / blanket and a electric seat warmer all powered by the 12-volt cigarette outlet you can find them in the automotive section.

@freedomwon2004

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the information. I will be checking it out

@anybodyoutthere3208

7 ай бұрын

I got that one last year Stopped working real quick It was $25 It was one Bob recommended about a year ago I think most of these are junk It’s very hard to find one that goes the distance

Thanks for this one.

Thanks Bob.

Large heating pads work nicely too

Very Nice - Thanks ! 😎👍

Awesome video. Thanks Bob 🙌😊👌🙏🍀💞👍

Great thorough review David Letterman. Thank you!

Try this with a mini fridge. Jonathan Roberts said his mini fridge ran longer than his 12V fridge. I saw someone use a chest freezer with a greenhouse temperature controller to keep it at fridge temperatures. More storage for less money. Should be under $200.

Stay warm Sir , take care and God Bless You .

Thanks Bob. It is getting down in the teens where I am camped now. My van gets cold but I installed a diesel heater today so. Once my avation plug comes in, I should be warm again

I found the 110 volt need true sine wave inverter to heat. Modified sine wave will turn on but will not heat. Either way, great info Bob.

That was great info , thank Q very much 🙏💜😎🚙🇨🇦

Can you do a comparison between 12v and a battery pack blanket?

Thank you 💯

I bought the same Westinghouse blanket on Amazon and it only lasted about a week before it stopped working completely.

@fruitfulvine222

7 ай бұрын

I've owned probably a dozen electric blankets. None have ever lasted a whole winter. These days, though? The junk breaks immediately but the price is increasing daily.

@genespell4340

7 ай бұрын

They are probably made in China and that isn't a good thing these days.

@McCucumber

7 ай бұрын

@@fruitfulvine222 the Walmart automotive section has a few electric blankets around the $30 range.

@emartin851

7 ай бұрын

I had one start smoldering, good thing I woke up to the smell. I'll never risk another one.

@anybodyoutthere3208

7 ай бұрын

@@fruitfulvine222I completely agree!! They are all pretty crappy these days I have read hundreds of reviews trying to find a reliable one It’s insane There really junky nowadays 😢

My 12v blanket worked perfectly all night. My 110v shut off when it folded up. My power unit is a Bluetti AC200P.

Thank you.

Hello from Puerto Rico friends, we dont need that product but its always interesting to Knowl about the New products in the marquets

Get a 12v truckers electric mattress pad. They have been selling them for over 40 years. Go to a truck stop and you won’t see anyone selling reflecting or Mylar foil blankets or any of the crap that so many van life channels swear by. Ask yourself what are people that have been living in their vehicles for the last 40+ years using?

The 12 Volt output of a power station has almost the same losses as the 120 outlets. It’s because the actual battery inside a Bluetti or Ecoflow isn’t 12 Volt. It’s much higher. So the 12 Volt output on any power station uses a converter that has some losses just as the inverter that makes 120 AC. Hence there is no advantage to using 12 Volt appliances.

@larrywillard844

3 ай бұрын

Interesting. How about when having actual 12 volt batteries (instead of Bluetti) and using only 12 volt fan etc?

Thank you

I had that same black and red one. It worked great for a while, and then the plug went out. I just ordered a twin sunbeam on Amazon with all the settings for 33.49 on sale. The one I just got is 300 watts, and I have a 2500-watt inverter. I have lived in northern Arizona for 4 years now, but I only use the heat in the mornings. I have the ability to go nomadic, but I am an avid gardener and need land. I have learned so much from you. Thank you for having this awesome and informative platform.

@offgridforrealandraw

6 ай бұрын

And I have always wanted to meet you. I would love a visit for you to check out my setup.

I hope to be living at least part-time if not full-time in a no build van this spring... Please consider doing a video on which automotive tools, and which carpentry tools we should consider having with us on our travels. I am sure many would appreciate the info. Thank you in advance!

I'm currently using a 12v blanket i bought 15 years ago. Still works like a champ. Used it hundreds of times. Unknown brand iirc $50 a pop.

I found that using an Electric Mattress Pad underneath me _and_ a down comforter on top of me afforded me the most comfortable sleep. I assume because the Electric Mattress Pad furnished heat which rose _upward_ thru my body. I kept nice and toasty. Significantly sounder sleep than when I used the down comfortable atop an Electric Blanket.

@rickmcentee9204

6 ай бұрын

Do you think the pad would last as long with your weight on it vs laying on top?

My husband and I got caught in the Texas Blizzard in our ‘98 Ford Econoline van and thankfully we had our down blanket that kept us warm at night. We did have other blankets on top for the weight but we were warm despite the drafty van.

I do the offline version and use a hot water bottle 😂

I spent the winter in sleeping outside in Wisconsin on a straw bed with a tarp and a home sewn down sleeping bag. 12 lbs of hunter grade goose down. 22 below zero. Never cold. No electricity. Only clear skies and foxes barking in the Bad Axe River Valley. The same camp where Blackhawk camped before the masscre

I use a 12 volt electric blanket from Wally world and turn it on for about 15 minutes on high through my Jackery then unplug it. I wake up about 2-3 hours later and just repeat the process. I don't trust leaving them plugged in all night. I strongly suggest putting a sheet between you and the electric blanket and a sleeping bag or comforter on top of the electric blanket.

Down is definitely the item I would use with an electric blanket

survival blankets are very good back up to have I use them winter camping I place the 1st survival blankets under my sleep bag the 2nd survival blankets over top of my sleeping bag This set up will refects all escape heat back towards you sleeping bag and you body now you can get a bag style survival blank that you climb into That gave me idea a got hold of two old wool blankets I place a survival blanket between them and stitch them together [!] [= wool blanket / ! = survival blanket folded then _l_ l = folds blanket to cdown the middle of blanket now play around with fold to give your self a bit of flap at top of bag fold kind on slant / the stitch across the bottom and up around 3/4 of side to make a winter outer bag that could I pull over and place inside an old winter sleeping bag the extra flap been top you can also make your self cheep home made sleep bag get old "duvets" double or bigger place into a cover that larger then dovet this key get the dovet central you now got 4 cloth edges stitch round the edges then fold in half stitch up bottom and around 3/4 of open side job done the bugger cover let do the stitch now sleep inside a sleep bag liner or male you self on using a fleece blanket fold in half and stitch TIP track edge together of cloth you can use a office stable gun this will hold the edge together and remove stable when finish stitching

@drivinfool9902

7 ай бұрын

I know what you are attempting to describe but "Huh?" Please run your directions by someone and repost. Even Bob has a crew! 😊

Hi Bob, thank you for this very informative video. I agree that a down comforter on top of an electric blanket is the way to go. I use an electric blanket everyday.

Thank you for another great review. I just don't care for electronics blankets. My late husband loved them. I like down and I wear merino wool or alpaca base layer. If I need something to warm the bed I prefer a hot water bottle or chemical warmers. I am hoping to get a soapstone bed warmer somewhere in my vehicle travels. Wool blankets underneath me have really been great at stopping the cold from coming up from underneath, especially when we just had self inflating mattresses on the floor of our old minivan. A few years ago I purchased an REI wrap blanket that was down alternative and have loved it for just sitting at cold camp fires or actually wearing it on cold days. We have never been full time, but use the same tactics on your bed at home. Thank you for taking the time to use these electronic blankets and test their efficiency.

Winter's already here in Alaska and we're all geared up. Arizona is sounding pretty good right about now!

I love my down blanket. I'm so protective of it, nobody can sit on top of it, I fold it up every morning. I have two different sizes. Also I had a ac plug in electric blanket that I scored on clearance, I used it on my inverter one night and it quit working. When I plugged it in only half got warm. It worked just fine prior to that but on 110ac. It quit on my inverter which is 110v. Idk if it was just coincidence or if running it on an inverter had anything to do with it not working anymore.

I have the Westinghouse 59" x 43” my and an old Jackery 500, can take the edge off the cold a few times a night, but if I wanted to be cozy all night and sleep it would not work, Power dropped like a rock. I also found it to small. If I did things like move, a foot or and arm would loose coverage. Love what you said about the down blanket and will try other electric blanket options. Thank you.

I do a lot of cold weather camping, and all I use is flannel sheets and a regular a fleece blanket and a thin comforter… I stay very warm ..

G'day warm greetings from Australia. Whatever happened to the lovely Kathleen whom was living in her little car several years ago? Any update on her. She was a real sweetie. Love your videos. God bless.

I hate getting up from a warm, cozy bed to cold air - live in a van - have solar - I’ve found I can take 3 electric 12 hr blankets that take the least amount of power, close off the driver compartment, hang 2 on each wall & place one on the floor and sleep under a cozy comforter or sleeping bag - I sleep cozy as can be and get up to a comfortable temperature and have my coffee

i cut an 'x' in the middle of my fuzzy blanket to make a poncho and walk around like a gunslinger at my house while staying warm

Great informative video. I have the 12 volt version. Haven’t used it yet. Someone suggested to me to put the electric blanket on the mattress and lay on it and cover up. They also make a heated blanket that has a rechangeable usb battery in it, like a heated jacket. Speaking of heated jacket. You should review some. I have the I-hood heated jacket. 😊

@CarolinaCarolina-ph9mx

7 ай бұрын

A heated jacket and/or vest review would be good. I am very curious about those, as well as which ones work the longest for the best price.

@geel1866

7 ай бұрын

I tried out the USB electric blanket, this is still a testers dream, and a person that doesn't like testing anything a nightmare, not only the quality of the blanket, but the power source you use plugged into your blanket overnight, so far, I am on my first inexpensive Amazon find, at first I didn't think it worked, but tried a different USB batter pack and with average blanket on top, I got a fair 5 hours low (ambient) heat (there are no settings on blanket), but again this was the cheapest and first USB charged blanket I ever heard of, but now there are a couple of expensive USB charged blankets that I amwaiting for a good sale to happen, before I test any furthe HAS ANYBODY HAD LUCK OR TRIED USB BLANKET YET?

@larrywillard844

3 ай бұрын

@@geel1866 no experience yet, but considering using a 66Wh "Jump Starter" to power USB Mantuole Heated Sleeping Bag pad, Heated Sleeping Bag Liner, 5 Heating Zones

my pooch keeps me warm on cold nights, add a nice wool blanket and we are good

@jenniferferguson3

7 ай бұрын

I think the King Charles spaniels were actually bred for that purpose LOL

Good information. Have you tested heated mattress pads that you sleep on top of all night?

the best combo for me in trailer is electric lap warmer {I'm 53} and a alternative down comforters .. but that is a great price....

This could be very helpful for me. I was in Arizona, but now for medical reasons I am back in freeze your ass off Utah.

I have a Westinghouse electric blanket, not the same model as here, Checked, it's still available but of course the price has gone up. The reason I chose that one is it's washable and most of them aren't so that's a consideration, it does not have the fake sheepskin on it. I also don't need a really wide one because my bed is only 30 inches. I tell people who don't have power banks who live in vehicles they can plug the electric blanket in while they're out driving around and it will warm up their bedding for them. Where I am it gets really cold in the winter, I put a cold weather mummy bag inside a regular cheap sleeping bag with the electric blanket under it and add blankets on top as needed. I'm in a city with a police department that's corrupt and dysfunctional and I'm being targeted by the crazy people here for political reasons and because I'm homeless. It's not safe for me to go to sleep at a regular time so I sit up at night when it's freezing cold doing things. If you are sitting up pull your sleeping bag or bags up so your feet touch the bottom of the bag to keep the whole thing warm otherwise when you slide down to go to sleep your feet area is going to be cold. Wear something warm like a pullover with a hood, sometimes I wear two hooded jackets. You can wear those gloves with the fingertips out if you're using electronic devices and Fred Meyer has them right now for a $1.50 each in the women's section. If you have a pullover with one if those pockets at the abdomen keep your gloves in there to warm them and if really cold a hand warmer in a sock. That helps with quick warm up of hands. If it's super cold and I've done something like go outside for a walk or doing walk aerobics I put a hand warmer in a sock by my feet. These electric blankets, at least some don't know what kind are available at truck stops.. I never leave it on when I'm sleeping but I have it on for quite a while before I go to sleep and get really warm.

I prefer to use my super warm Coleman sleeping bag. I also have a Browning but I really don’t need it.

I don't recall ever using an electric blanket, though my feet would really appreciate something dedicated solely to them. I rely on a zero deg. down mummy bag that's about 45 yrs old - yeah, it's lost a bit of loft, but I just supplement it with merino wool or capilene top and/or bottom. I sleep in a tent (w/o a heater), and SO FAR I've not experienced temps below about 20 F. 🤞

Thank you! Good information! I’m confused though, between the down blanket vs down alternative blanket. In your previous videos, it seems that you prefer a down alternative blanket..just starting out 😊

Last year I got red one you have. Keep breaking. Walmart has a Goodyear brand 12 volt. An it's good turns off an on, by itself. Like every 15 mins. An only 28 dollars.

Hi Bob. 😊