need heat in the topper'd bed

[Jon581]

what about running 2 12v batteries wired in series to get 24v? just keep it isolated from your trucks electrical and not sure how you would charge a 24v battery bank

he would have to buy a 24v batt charger or disconnect them one at a time

 

[Jason]

he would have to buy a 24v batt charger or disconnect them one at a time

No. He would just use 2 battery isolators.

 

[Jon581]

oh i meant charge them one at a time

 

[Ranger#1]

how hard is it to put a heater core in the bed and then put like a tranny cooler fan on it to pull air over it pluming would be like 2 hoses w/insalation and a couple wires a relay and a swich

 

[MountainMike]

When I worked at the Ford dealership we had to take the SpaceKap out of an F-150 and jerry-rig it into a brand new Silverado. On the F-150 the Kap had a pipe that was hooked up to the HVAC system of the truck. We had to plug it when we put it on the new truck but it looked like a good setup.

http://www.spacekap.com/access.details.php?lang=en&section=access&access=4

Or take a dual heater core setup from something like a Honda Oddysey and rig it into the box on the Ranger, run it undear the bed rail and build a box for it to sit in isolated from the Pooch for obvious reasons.

My next idea would be something like this...
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...s/PRDOVR~0303404P/12V+Interior+Car+Heater.jsp
...it can heat up a compact car pretty well in the winter up here from real cold so if you insulate the cab it should be able to keep it warm too. The first reviewer had to do some wiring mods to make it work but a dog is worth it.

Some Links, I'll add more as I find more:
http://www.epinions.com/t-foam-insulation-sheets
http://www.woodenboat.com/forum//showthread.php?t=18319
http://www.dancindogproductions.com/showthread.php?t=3061
http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=201025

 

[strvger]

well, think i'll be trying the heated dog bed first. i'll make a U shaped curtain rod and put up a heavy, clear shower curtain so it circles the bed (and still lets me see out the back). and elevate the bed so it is close to the sliding window for the cab heat. those things should help hold the heat in. then i can install a deep cycle battery in the bed and maybe hook it up to a solar panel charger i can mount to the roof to keep it juiced up. how does that sound? and thanks for all your input and ideas!

 

[Tony Raine]

well, think i'll be trying the heated dog bed first. i'll make a U shaped curtain rod and put up a heavy, clear shower curtain so it circles the bed (and still lets me see out the back). and elevate the bed so it is close to the sliding window for the cab heat. those things should help hold the heat in. then i can install a deep cycle battery in the bed and maybe hook it up to a solar panel charger i can mount to the roof to keep it juiced up. how does that sound? and thanks for all your input and ideas!

i think it'll will work just fine. your dog should cozy-up to that and stay plenty warm much better than heated air with a cold bed floor.

 

[Mark_88]

well, think i'll be trying the heated dog bed first. i'll make a U shaped curtain rod and put up a heavy, clear shower curtain so it circles the bed (and still lets me see out the back). and elevate the bed so it is close to the sliding window for the cab heat. those things should help hold the heat in. then i can install a deep cycle battery in the bed and maybe hook it up to a solar panel charger i can mount to the roof to keep it juiced up. how does that sound? and thanks for all your input and ideas!

Your dog should be warm by now...

Just kidding...the plastic curtain idea might work...but you can also enclose the space with plexiglass...that's what I did...but I hung the plexiglass from the roof just to prevent the warm air from escaping my enclosure...it worked pretty good...and plexiglass is fairly inexpensive (unless you go to the 1/4" stuff) and can be cut to size...

 

[strvger]

i've used the shower curtain before right behind the front seats in an old Scout to keep as much heat as possible up front. it worked very well and was easy to remove in the summer. also easier to get out of the way if i needed to reach things or was carrying extra large items.
i've also just discovered that heated dog beds are well over $50. i can do the same thing with the heated seat cushion and a microfiber or fleece cover over it for under $20! and it will use fewer amps!

 

[schmoo]

i have a back massage pad that has heat and vibrate
and runs on 12v from a 1 amp wall transformer.
never tried it on vehicle power tho.

 

[Mark_88]

i have a back massage pad that has heat and vibrate
and runs on 12v from a 1 amp wall transformer.
never tried it on vehicle power tho.

LOL...he'd never get the dog out of the truck...

 

[jonx4x4]

Ive got a heater core and blower out a 76 Scout II, its a nice little self-contained unit, it would be PERFECT for a rear heat application.

 

[Will]

I would think a thick doggy bed would be ample. Those critters come with fur coats and a high metabolism. Our last dog prefered to sleep outside in the snow--and we have a pet door and our inviting wood stove goes all winter long.

But I like the heated mat idea if you are worried about it.

A schoolbus has 2-4 heaters that use engine coolant and electric fans. Any junkyard is usually full of busses--they like to keep them around to store transmissions and things in. They have 12V systems. They use gate valves to turn off the heaters in the summer--which you would want in case of a leak as well.

But it's a dog.

 

[strvger]

yeah, i'll just keep it simple with the heat pad. -20 and colder isn't uncommon up here so you really need something for a dog to help it stay warm. i'll save the rear heater idea if this isn't enough. thanks.