Changing the thread slightly- started to get low on power a couple of times on a long run and range needed to get to a charge point or home. Switched off a/c and heating and slowed down but with wife , luggage, 2 damp dogs and wet coats I wasn’t popular! Windows just steam up!! Having said that I’ve learned to plan for less range and just get on with driving normally. Everyone happy! Average now 3.0m / Kw over 1400 miles on a long return trip from Scotland to the S coast of England, motorway speeds, and some local A & B roads. Cold temperatures and hills etc.
You are absolutely right when it's cold I work on a range of 170 miles as worst case scenario.
Turning it off with the button just puts it on recirculation mode and turns off the fans so it will steam up. If you turn the dial all the way to the left till it gets to "lo" then the heater is off, you can then turn the fan speed to its lowest setting. Make sure to turn off the AC too. I find this gets me up to 4/5 miles/kWh. But running with heating on still gets me about 3 even on a motorway, so not too big a deal unless you're worried about getting that extra 30/40 miles. ?
Thanks for that I'll give it a go.
The main batteries charge the 12v so not sure you would save much with a heavy use 12v heater
Are you sure it's not a 150W heater, I couldn't find any below 150W when I was looking a few years back for one for my Prius.
The fuse rating is often higher to prevent excessive heat build up in the fuse box (thus posing a fire risk in itself). A 10amp fuse running at 10amp will get very hot quite quickly, and after several longer times at this temperature will start to weaken the fuse, thus creating a higher resistance causing more heat again.
Yes, well, it was advertised as 120W. It's a ptc+fan module in a plastic housing. I've no idea what it's meant for to be honest.
If it's a 120w heater then it will draw 10a at 12v but only 8.57a at 14v.
