12v Interior heater/defrosters... do any of them not suck?

[dmention7]

The blower strength in my winter beater is kind of weak, and the engine takes awhile to really get up to temp and start blowing hot air--doesn't bother me much from a comfort standpoint (except on very cold days), but it makes keeping the windshield defrosted kind of a pain sometimes. After sucking about 8lb of leaves out of the cowl/blower intake, I'm sure the heater and AC cores are probably crammed up with junk and restricting airflow, but getting at those requires pulling apart most of the dash.

Reading reviews on Amazon, I'm not seeing any 12v interior heater/defrosters that even get a 3 star review... Anybody have experience with them? I would probably hard wire it with an inline fuse, so I'm not too worried about the typical complaints of blowing fuses and whatnot...

 

[dmention7]

Bump?

 

[mazdamn02]

I tried one about 10 years ago... IIRC I purchased it from target for $20 or so, and it was stupid. Big waste of money. I hope I returned it but I don't remember. If you really want to heat up your car before you start driving the best way is to get a remote start. I'm sure you could find a kit for well under $100 and wire it yourself. If you're starting it from under a block away there's no need to spend big money on one with a high power transmitter.

 

[007CobaltLS]

I tried one about 10 years ago... IIRC I purchased it from target for $20 or so, and it was stupid. Big waste of money. I hope I returned it but I don't remember. If you really want to heat up your car before you start driving the best way is to get a remote start. I'm sure you could find a kit for well under $100 and wire it yourself. If you're starting it from under a block away there's no need to spend big money on one with a high power transmitter.

If this is a viable option for OP, I used one from Target on my old Saturn. Was very simple to use...didn't require anything extra. Bulldog brand? Can't remember...but $60 or so plus tax. The wiring diagram was available through their website.

If this isn't an option...sorry, can't help you out.

 

[dmention7]

I'm not as concerned about actually getting the car heated up faster (though that would be a bonus). I'm just finding that the airflow out the front defroster seems to be dismal enough that it's tough keeping a clear windshield sometimes when it's a little more humid.

Plus, it's a manual with a busted parking brake, so a remote start would require me to fix even more crap... haha

I'm thinking for $20, I might just grab one of the 12v heaters that seems to have the least crappy reviews and see how long it lasts me.

 

[dd_69]

I know this is late, but you don't necessarily need the parking brake to work for a remote start to be functional in a manual car. It is certainly nice, but not necessary. If you are in need, I could help with getting one cheap.
Nate

 

[Turbotalon1g]

^Then how does he stop it from rolling away?

Maybe by putting it in gear!
But wait when you remote start it and its in gear....

 

[dmention7]

I suppose if you parked properly with the wheels pointed into the curb (or away if you park uphill), you would maybe be alright. My street is dead flat, so I could probably get away with it realistically.

Either way, I bought a new winter car in december that actually has fully functional heat so it's kind of a moot point in my case I guess!

 

[007CobaltLS]

Buy wheel chocks, keep car in neutral, use chocks. Also use the wheels towards/away from curb as you should anytime you park on a hill.

 

[Picklz]

really? you're gonna wheel chock your car everytime you park? Just fix the broken shit k? lol but as Jay said he haz new car so no big deal anymore, GOD DAMMIT I got killed in blops2 because I was typing this.

 

[dmention7]

Friends don't let friends type and frag.

 

[dd_69]

Hmmmm, that does make more sense now that I read it. For some reason I thought maybe the signal wire was busted or something. Which is pretty silly.... Whatevs I guess.
Nate