SparkFun Electronics Commentsurn:uuid:214d0e4e-f1b1-d287-ce26-ac5b4c9f82492024-03-19T07:45:54-06:00SparkFun ElectronicsCustomer #787514 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #787514urn:uuid:2e4baaf0-22ef-c45b-9dc0-efa0cac316862016-03-20T13:20:44-06:00<p>does anyone know what the wire is called, the one that the heat radiates from.</p>
bboyho on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmbboyhourn:uuid:d14e39aa-e702-822b-0f4d-c72cf3eb75542015-10-21T14:52:47-06:00<p><strong>-------------------- Tech Support Tips/Troubleshooting/Common Issues --------------------</strong><p><strong>Stress Tests</strong></p><p>Looking at the product video, the product showcase tests the temperature output of the smaller 5x10cm [ <a href="https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11288" rel="nofollow">https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11288</a> ] at different voltages. Here are some of the results:</p><pre><code>~112°F @ 5V and 0.8A
~168.2°F @ 9V and 1.2A
~240°F-246°F @12V and 1.35A-1.5A for 4-6 hours, starts warping some damage
~350°F @ 17.7V and 1.61A, polyester melts, pad starts breaking down, damages the product
</code></pre><p><em>Note: Keep in mind that the heating pad does not recover quickly when a cooler object touches the heating pad.</em></p><p><strong>Battery Power</strong></p><p>I had a customer use this for their project to heat a horse bit up. A 9V battery didn't work as well and it was getting hot to the touch. The heating pad was putting out less heat when the battery was overheating. He then used 4 AA batteries (for about 6V) in a battery holder <a href="https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12083" rel="nofollow">https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12083</a> and didn't have a problem using it.</p></p>
Customer #600873 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #600873urn:uuid:b2a71b4a-2a3f-6fd0-ffba-9306982a67d02015-04-30T14:28:12-06:00<p>Hi! I am trying to heat 5 of these up to 40 C (about 100 F). I'm planning on wiring them in parallel and feeding them with a 9V 3A AC/DC converter that is regulated with a buck step-down converter. However, I'm worried that this configuration won't get the heaters hot enough. Any circuit suggestions? Thank you so much!</p>
Customer #616571 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #616571urn:uuid:d4babef2-80cf-10b5-e087-b957189dd5b02015-01-22T11:37:44-07:00<p>I'm measuring resistance at 3 Ohm. Old comment, I know, but for future reference.</p>
jcholton on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmjcholtonurn:uuid:2f4fa329-2153-215b-71da-26016a6560bd2014-09-14T19:55:08-06:00<p>I like how in the suggestions there is everything you need to make a temperature controlled project.</p>
RocketGuy on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmRocketGuyurn:uuid:1b88c6fb-5a28-10bf-5b08-1df1f41a440f2014-06-30T17:30:15-06:00<p>Waterproof? Have an outdoor application to avoid dew accumulation.<p>If not I can always just use some sugru to seal and attach it...</p></p>
Customer #542505 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #542505urn:uuid:6af0e248-0f26-6b6d-3f59-24bb64aa0bc02014-04-28T15:38:45-06:00<p>Hey, I just got my heating pad, I was wondering if there is a code sample I can use, I would like to control the heating pad.
Is that by any means possible?</p>
6strings on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cm6stringsurn:uuid:c9d7ca0b-9e24-f519-3f3a-60bfae0d9cdb2014-04-22T13:56:18-06:00<p>I am trying this. I ordered 2 pads. My plan: An Arduino PWM output driving a power mosfet with 9V DC to the two heat pads connected in series, so that each pad is 4.5 V. The heat pads will be taped around a 2-inch dia PVC pipe to create a heated tube hide for snakes.<p>I have always wanted to do this, but not with 120 VAC heat tape/heat pads normally sold for reptile heating. But I do not mind putting 9V inside the cage.</p></p>
Customer #543472 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #543472urn:uuid:02dc4934-9eb3-060a-6ada-98db8c78b1722014-04-08T16:25:49-06:00<p>What's the nominal resistivity on this? I'd like to drive the temperature on this put have a current limit of 1.5A.</p>
Customer #526648 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #526648urn:uuid:b5169d60-f815-6aad-cbc9-556623b969a12014-03-19T03:53:34-06:00<p>You cannot wash these in a washing machine, they will not survive the process. Also, you would need quite a few pads to feel the heat produced through fabric.</p>
Jelimoore on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmJelimooreurn:uuid:1c6c94bd-004b-8a41-655b-abfd83e49fd02014-03-01T17:22:23-07:00<p>He's right, you know.</p>
Customer #519644 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #519644urn:uuid:9a775fad-0c17-1918-47eb-23dbfb4cb2db2014-02-11T09:48:15-07:00<p>Hey, got a couple questions that I hope some of you can answer. I'm looking to install some of these in clothing, are they washable? Can I run these through a lilypad arduino board and a 5v battery with enough heat generated to feel through fabric? If anyone can answer either one of these questions that would be great, thanks!</p>
SFUptownMaker on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmSFUptownMakerurn:uuid:0ea9dd7e-538f-aead-9d26-79d490034edb2014-01-21T10:47:29-07:00<p>Soldering nichrome isn't easy; you'll need some pretty nasty flux to make it work. I'd be thinking crimp connections of some sort.<p>I'd take a look at our <a href="https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10687" rel="nofollow">high-temp polyimide tape</a> for sealing the edges.</p><p>You're spot on about the voltage- you want the same current flowing through the heating element, which will result in the same power dissipation per unit length. That means dividing the voltage down. Pay attention to how you cut the pad, though- the heating element is one long wire. Cut the pad along the wrong bias and you'll end up with a bunch of unconnected lengths of wire!</p></p>
blorgggg on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmblorggggurn:uuid:4ead12c6-bb42-33f5-a875-357c5cad38a62014-01-21T10:33:05-07:00<p>I am thinking about using this to make a like seven or 14 segment display underneath thermochromic fabric. I tested it with the whole pad, and it works very responsively and well. But for money and size reasons, i want to chop apart one of these heating pads into about 7 pieces about 1 cm wide.<p>I'll then just solder new leads on the ends of the nichrome on each piece (isn't there something tricky about soldering to that though?) Then the resistence of each piece will be about 1/7th of the overall thing right? So then I would need to drop my (currently 12 v i am feeding it) to 12/7 V? Or else it will just get super hot /and or suck down too much juice? Finally I will try to seal up the edges of the plastic with some tape or something?</p><p>Let me know the holes in my logic please!</p></p>
Customer #504286 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #504286urn:uuid:3966dc6f-7788-4aa0-8a7a-52fb6afb59ee2014-01-01T14:35:31-07:00<p>I am interested in trying this product in a trail cam. The camera gets cold enough at night that it won't work. one uses a 6volt lantern battery and the other uses 6 d-cell batteries(9volt). Both will work during the day if it's warmer but shut down at night and batteries only last 1-2 days. could this be hooked to the battery pack or would the draw kill the batteries anyway?</p>
Customer #493180 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #493180urn:uuid:6da11a98-a4c4-5ddb-7563-aa600c62dac22013-11-29T03:54:38-07:00<p>i purchased these with arduino atmega328 board, what relay i should use to this product ? Iam using LiPo battery 2000mAh 3.7V, Could you please send me a link to the product ? Thanks for help</p>
Raphaeltm on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmRaphaeltmurn:uuid:664adbd8-8dea-c5e4-4946-7408ff7545552013-11-08T17:14:59-07:00<p>If I have components that are rated to a low of 0 degrees Celsius, could I place this item near/around them and use a temperature sensor as a trigger to turn it on/off and keep them within their operating temperature range during the winter?<p>Sorry for the long sentence. Basically, can I use this to keep certain components warm during the winter?</p></p>
MrAureliusR on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmMrAureliusRurn:uuid:81204f54-aebc-ff77-f38d-87e16ab31a0c2013-10-05T22:22:40-06:00<p>You wash your hands with gloves on?!?</p>
Marcoli on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmMarcoliurn:uuid:469b15b8-0a61-8637-2fea-535b366138922013-10-03T14:42:17-06:00<p>That would be the "Department of Redundancy Department"</p>
Mechcondrid on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmMechcondridurn:uuid:10c24bbb-98df-8d12-6a42-f710312a67172013-09-08T15:14:38-06:00<p>i'm prototyping a product i'm looking to sell; can these be pulsed to maintain a lower heat temp?
and can these be resized or folded rather tightly (say around the inner diameter of a 9mm pistol grip?)
also whats the lowest voltage these can run off of? would a 3.7v CR123a cell be sufficient if the capacity is high enough?</p>
bdicken on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmbdickenurn:uuid:1d16b4f3-d101-ec0a-3a4c-b92d672cecf82013-02-11T15:31:40-07:00<p>another head slap momemnt :)<p>Thanks. That would work perfectly and be very simple.</p></p>
MikeGrusin on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmMikeGrusinurn:uuid:f98d7815-27ea-61e7-438d-68ed8b56ea9d2013-02-11T11:53:35-07:00<p>I'd connect two in series and hook then straight to the car battery. That should drop the effective voltage to 6V per pad. You can hook up all 4 as two strings, e.g.:<pre><code>+ ----1----2---- -
+ ----3----4---- -
</code></pre></p>
bdicken on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmbdickenurn:uuid:240d1ca4-5ba6-e8ac-e25d-31e0e55f962c2013-02-11T08:06:36-07:00<p>I would like to use 4 of these from a car battery. Anyone have an off the shelf power converter recommendation ? Thanks</p>
MikeGrusin on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmMikeGrusinurn:uuid:f3015dfd-6553-eb4a-89f9-806f3637962d2013-02-01T11:50:45-07:00<p>Nope, these are resistive heaters and only work in the "current in / heat out" direction. (Your results may vary in other universes.) But we do carry a number of <a href="https://www.sparkfun.com/categories/82" rel="nofollow">temperature sensors</a> you could use.</p>
Customer #32561 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #32561urn:uuid:ba92d6a6-2136-2f00-4cf1-36a1e87e8bf72013-02-01T09:28:17-07:00<p>These are going in my ski boots.</p>
Customer #315223 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #315223urn:uuid:00da265a-9d0c-c801-e026-9fd4582e555d2013-01-28T03:32:11-07:00<p>hi,
i want to read the temperature of a horses leg while it runs to prevent serious leg injuries.
could you use this product in reverse? so if i wrapped this around a horses leg creating heat to the pad, would a slight voltage be created or change in resistance that i am able to read?
cheers.</p>
MikeGrusin on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmMikeGrusinurn:uuid:36df496c-2d3c-ea7f-9635-5b26469e21002012-10-22T14:17:19-06:00<p>I haven't done the math, but I doubt these would be able to heat a large enough volume of air to a high enough temperature differential to lift the balloon envelope, heater, and battery. (For the massive source of heat this requires, there's usually no substitute for an open flame). But I may be wrong, feel free to give it a shot, and let us know how it goes!</p>
AlexanderB on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmAlexanderBurn:uuid:292fb57e-9fca-e390-59d4-b2fc5d60dbfa2012-10-21T08:39:14-06:00<p>I am thinking of building an (mini) hot air balloon using these, would that even be remotely possible? I will have to use an fabric that will handle being heated and seal of the bottom of the balloon directly to the payload.<p>But will these provide enough heat to get the balloon in the air? And what kind of power would be able to feed these (I thought a lipo-battery)?</p></p>
Customer #220871 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #220871urn:uuid:0a18f4b2-521a-091d-d156-a8f3b0d058c32012-10-09T10:00:44-06:00<p>im getting help with this part on the forums, thanks.</p>
Customer #333302 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #333302urn:uuid:7f6ea9f3-7374-3cbf-e756-89f3ed18e5e82012-09-12T08:53:11-06:00<p>thanks great!</p>
brennen on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmbrennenurn:uuid:eb146821-0f88-b858-0731-7c8e77e04de62012-09-11T09:55:35-06:00<p>Kinda looks like we're expecting some around the end of September.</p>
Customer #333302 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #333302urn:uuid:5fcfe3a3-12e3-b44b-1b47-a06c352e19f02012-09-11T08:06:55-06:00<p>hello!</p>
Customer #333302 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #333302urn:uuid:ed69bcfa-c7e4-3d80-da9f-512c9dd79bb92012-09-10T09:52:54-06:00<p>Hey, any idea of when this is going to be available, or if it's not going to be available?
thanks</p>
Ichbinjoe on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmIchbinjoeurn:uuid:72f46dbe-fdbf-4d34-c8f3-6b1a10c3b1612012-09-04T15:43:26-06:00<p>Little power and low power are two different things ya know.</p>
David on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmDavidurn:uuid:04b7dec9-4fb5-5f35-d717-7a508ece32082012-08-22T09:21:35-06:00<p>Can someone please measure the resistance of the heating pad? That way I and everyone else can calculate the current and wattage at various voltages. The 'warmup profile' is interesting but can't really be used to figure out how it'll behave in different applications. The video gives a coarse way of calculating the resistance by stating the current draw at 5v... but I'd rather just know the specs of this thing.</p>
MostThingsWeb on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmMostThingsWeburn:uuid:7a19e2e2-527e-bf66-8e31-a5534b7158322012-08-06T10:49:56-06:00<p>Did I mention they're flexible?</p>
Customer #308609 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #308609urn:uuid:7a228aa3-097a-b2eb-3875-15221858a1f92012-08-05T07:15:48-06:00<p>Shut up and take my money!</p>
Zach2 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmZach2urn:uuid:f3cde23e-18c9-fc70-cbcf-2e1288005c472012-08-01T15:26:11-06:00<p>Might be useful for the terrarium project I am thinking about. A few of these might heat up a small one nicely.</p>
Xoto18 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmXoto18urn:uuid:1d56eb54-e71c-0106-79bf-19366ffdf55a2012-07-31T22:00:03-06:00<p>How waterproof? If I wanted to put them in gloves could I hand wash them or would I have to take them out?</p>
Customer #197750 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #197750urn:uuid:cbecabed-41e1-ee66-0344-d9b621f2c71f2012-07-30T09:59:46-06:00<p>This needs to happen</p>
Customer #197750 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #197750urn:uuid:39f2a896-4367-f2c0-4069-4b3fd6e1c31f2012-07-30T09:58:15-06:00<p>"these are low power, flexible and draw little power" - this post brought to you by Sparkfun's department of redundancy department ;)</p>
BratMan on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmBratManurn:uuid:059e0af2-d3b0-d117-03d4-103cd7a28e9c2012-07-30T00:37:16-06:00<p>Cool... I could use one of these with a little aluminum foil wrapped in an old towel for my cat to lay on so she would keep off the answering machine and my lap top. She will suck the heat out of anything warmer then she is.</p>
Customer #40360 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #40360urn:uuid:77babcce-2811-28ad-d35b-8cc4c80627b22012-07-27T23:12:51-06:00<p>would it be easier to use a thermoelectric cooler using a heatsink and some wire? The end goal is being able to conditionally heat a small section in a non-filled shape</p>
bitshuffler on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmbitshufflerurn:uuid:ab24c223-dff6-3044-1bf9-afec028d324e2012-07-27T22:51:08-06:00<p>How flexible is the fabric part? I have an application where we would need to wrap a heater around a 10mm diameter tube and keep the whole assembly quite flexible. We've found both etched foil heaters and wire-wound rubber heaters aren't flexible enough for this and are currently pursuing a custom made fabric with a heater wire stitched (not woven) into it. Unfortunately this approach is quite expensive.<p>Ideally I'd like to talk to the manufacturer about making it in a different shape. Can you give me any leads? (it's for a good cause - http://www.eastmeetswest.org/Page.aspx?pid=344)?</p></p>
SFUptownMaker on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmSFUptownMakerurn:uuid:ec00f759-45b8-9d2b-a717-fd3ab6ab79b02012-07-27T19:51:10-06:00<p>Yep- these are basically a very loose-weave fabric where the warp is nichrome wire and the woof is polyester, and then they're sandwiched between some kind of high-temp (probably knock-off Kapton/polymide) adhesive-backed film. We've actually had a bit of luck peeling apart the layers of tape and reshaping the heating elements- just bear in mind that doing so will change the resistance, so you'll have to adjust the power input accordingly.</p>
pmb777 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmpmb777urn:uuid:7faa4d8f-37ce-3b51-3497-8d4cfa5201052012-07-27T17:41:40-06:00<p>From the look of them, you can't cut them to shape. I'd build a sort of heat-pipe. Think: metal paperweight, with the base the size of the heating pad, and the top having the profile you want.</p>
Customer #40360 on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCustomer #40360urn:uuid:4e97928f-6a44-438d-c615-db0811c91be02012-07-27T16:25:57-06:00<p>If I wanted to heat up a circular area, would it be possible to cut them somehow or could there be some way of applying some form of a heatsink to the corners?</p>
Shane Holloway on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmShane Hollowayurn:uuid:f20b877a-2c47-00a7-2a93-89e1cd44bb132012-07-27T10:05:25-06:00<p>From the new product post, "Each can run on 3.3-5V, and draws around 0.7A."</p>
SlyVixsky on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmSlyVixskyurn:uuid:360944a7-35fc-8750-6cc4-7e566fa892822012-07-27T04:09:58-06:00<p>5V, but at what current draw? and does the draw vary over time as the temp slowly increases?</p>
CrazyCreator on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCrazyCreatorurn:uuid:6f22348b-620c-6851-6aea-acfa6a5f505d2012-07-27T00:54:39-06:00<p>How much current does this draw?</p>
CF on COM-11288 - Heating Pad - 5x10cmCFurn:uuid:45bb8940-0f56-eaa5-5bb4-1a6e2e4d4e422012-07-26T22:25:25-06:00<p>I could use this for a heated mouse. Anyone else get 'cold mouse hand' in the winter?</p>