Idiot question of the day....

[Cozzer]

Shiplap garden shed, lined with 3/4" ply to (1) keep it windproof and (2) to stop it falling down.
No power, other than extension lead from house when required.
I have a couple of 12v batteries in there, which I swap over every so often so that one of 'em can be charged by the solar panel sited in the window. Each battery is hooked up to some (surprisingly bright) LED lights, so if I venture in after dark at least I don't smash a toe/knee against something that shouldn't be there....
So...the idiot question.
I spent about 30 minutes in there this morning - looking for something that turned out to be in the house anyway - and coudn't get over how bloody cold it was.
Is there anything "heater"wise - apart from setting fire to the shed - I can run off the 12v job when I'm in there, just to take the chill off?
Don't get me wrong - I don't intend spending hours in there, but just to warm me up on an occasional visit....

 

[guineafowl21]

LED lighting with a 12V battery is one thing, heating is quite another. Any significant heater would drain it massively.

You’d be better with a small, 12v-powered diesel heater for caravans. Have a look on ebay - quite expensive for what you want, but it’s nearly Christmas and you could use it for other things.

 

[Jacob]

Plenty of calor/camping gas solutions available. Just for a blast while you are in there - not for continuous heating due to fire risk, fumes and condensation - though these can be sorted too, one way or another.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/portable-gas-heaters-camping/s?k=portable+gas+heaters+for+camping

 

[Fitzroy]

Brought back memories, we had one of the bad boys in my dad's pharmacy on a chilly morning when I was a boy.

 

[Yojevol]

Well I've just invested in 2 heaters running at 5V. They purport to give 5000, yes FIVE THOUSAND mAH of
heat and can keep going for up to 18 hours.

Seriously, keeping your feet warm is a good start
Brian

 

[Steliz]

If you can run an extension for tools then you can plug in an oil radiator.

 

[rob1693]

I just got one of these off ebay for £30 to restore for workshop when I'm not creating my own heat old valor 525r

 

[Jacob]

There's a horizontal radiant propane heater with a grill (can't remember the make) which you can also grill sausages on, or kippers if you want to deter intruders. They can get a bit smoky if you cook on them.

 

[Peri]

My shed (single car garage) is fed by an extension lead as well - and I use a simple fan heater, about the size of a shoebox. It warms up enough in about an hour to be able to work in there.

Edit - just read you don't plan on being in there very long - sorry, dis-regard

 

[Cozzer]

Thanks for all the replies, boys.... cheers.
Yes, as I expected - socks seem to be the answer for a 15 minute visit!
About the only other thing that struck me was the gamut of 12v car windscreen demister jobs that appear on a well-known auction site, but hardly the answer.
Some of the images featured are truly inventive!

Thanks again.

 

[XH558]

Layers are the solution for working outdoors for any length of time in cold conditions.
Base layer of a material that can wick away moisture from the body.
Intermediate layers that insulate and keep you warm
Outer layer that provides the protection from the elements.

Thin socks then thicker walking type socks for the feet with trainer of walking boot type footwear.
Normal underwear then......Tights but please as the owner if you can borrow them or they may get a bit possessive.....
Tee shirt then something like a brushed cotton shirt or something like a thin jumper that will trap air. Fleece type garments are great for this
Thicker fleece for the outer layer.

Head covering is important as we lose most of our body heat through the head.

Then gloves of a fingerless design so you can grip your work.

You don't want to end up looking like the michelin man but the layers allow you to remove clothing if you are exerting a lot of energy and to add the layers as you cool down to maintain body heat.

Hope that helps.

 

[Jonzjob]

2s up with you Vulcan. Layers are good and as you say most of all on your head. I hope to be stood on the top of a 500 foot slope tomorrow facing the wind and chucking RC gliders off of it and it will be layers there believe me! And not just for your hands 'LittleHotties' Little Hotties Warmers | All-natural hand, foot, and body warmers

 

[MorrisWoodman12]

I

Well I've just invested in 2 heaters running at 5V. They purport to give 5000, yes FIVE THOUSAND mAH of
heat and can keep going for up to 18 hours.

Seriously, keeping your feet warm is a good start
Brian

I guess @Yojevol since you mention socks you realise that mAHr is not any measure of heat output. It's a measure of capacity as in batteries.

If it lasts 18 hours then only 5000/18 = 277mA is drawn. At 5V it's a 1.3W heater! Not even going to keep your toes warm. Better keep your socks on.

Thanks for the mental gymnastics this morning

 

[Stevekane]

Layers are the solution for working outdoors for any length of time in cold conditions.
Base layer of a material that can wick away moisture from the body.
Intermediate layers that insulate and keep you warm
Outer layer that provides the protection from the elements.

Thin socks then thicker walking type socks for the feet with trainer of walking boot type footwear.
Normal underwear then......Tights but please as the owner if you can borrow them or they may get a bit possessive.....
Tee shirt then something like a brushed cotton shirt or something like a thin jumper that will trap air. Fleece type garments are great for this
Thicker fleece for the outer layer.

Head covering is important as we lose most of our body heat through the head.

Then gloves of a fingerless design so you can grip your work.

You don't want to end up looking like the michelin man but the layers allow you to remove clothing if you are exerting a lot of energy and to add the layers as you cool down to maintain body heat.

Hope that helps.

Definately the way to go, quite by accident I discovered that pulling my baggy working trousers over my Joggers worked incredibly well, it has to be cold though otherwise you bake! My other great buy was an Aldi Yellow coat like the road workers wear, light, waterproof and with a nylon padding and a high fleecy collar thats really warm, it was only about £17 three years ago and I wear it for everything.
Ive mentioned it before but for your information I understand that an Infra Red radiant heater provides instant heat and only warms you standing in front of it rather than the body of air that is your entire shed,,Im happy to be told otherwise but thats what a guy who installed them in old churches told me.
Paraffin and bottled gas give off lots of condensation,,maybe not an issue in a draughty old shed?
Steve.

 

[quintain]

As with other replies consider 'layers'...2 x pair of army surplus thermal one piece, wear one when its cold outside wear the other as well when it B****y cold outside.

 

[Spectric]

Visit an an army surplus store and look for the norwegian artic suits, one piece and fur lined. Another line is to look at the gear sold for people working in refrigerated storage. Best option is to not work in the cold, look at jobs you can do indoors such as designs and plans until the weather breaks.

 

[hairy]

Army surplus "softie" trousers are about a tenner, jacket about £30 and super toastie warm from fleabay.

I used to go up a shoe size for boots on site to wear three pairs of thick socks in the winter. Then I bought some merino base layer trousers and suddenly my feet were warmer, now only one pair of socks required.

Merino and possum hat and gloves (with or without fingers) are also very recommended, cheapest usually from Ray Mears online shop unless you want bright colours. The hat for £20 is amazing.

 

[Cozzer]

Well, it's Saturday evening, the new storm has hit, it's blowing a gale, we've snow and now ice on the deck, and I've just had my dog out for the last walk of the day. He doesn't know it, but I most certainly do.
No matter what I wanted out of my shed tonight, it's staying there!

Keep warm and safe, everyone.

 

[Yojevol]

I guess @Yojevol since you mention socks you realise that mAHr is not any measure of heat output. It's a measure of capacity as in batteries.
If it lasts 18 hours then only 5000/18 = 277mA is drawn. At 5V it's a 1.3W heater! Not even going to keep your toes warm. Better keep your socks on.

Thanks for the mental gymnastics this morning

I am pleased to announce that they were delivered today and I immediately put them on trial. The batteries come with 4 power output settings. On the highest setting the claim is that they will last for 3-3.5 hours. On the next setting, 4-5 hours. Next 6-8 hours and on the lowest setting, 15-18 hours. I've just run the batteries down having been wearing the socks for 7 hours on the 2nd lowest setting, so the claim is about right. For the first 3 hours I was in my work boots in the workshop with the log stove going. Normally in this situation I would come back indoors feeling generally warm but with cold feet. This evening I am looking forward to going to bed with warm feet - a luxury I haven't experienced in winter months for a good few years.
Whatever the Amp.Hour rating is the socks HAVE kept my feet, not just my toes. for many hours.
Brian

 

[Sandyn]

it's a 1.3W heater! Not even going to keep your toes warm.

1.3W would give a sensation of heat in your foot, especially over a few hours with good socks and shoes. It's a small area to heat. It only needs to be a couple of degrees above body heat to feel warm.