12 Volt Portable Car Heaters

People searching for a portable 12 volt car heater have a wide selection of models to choose from and most do an adequate job of warming the interior of their car and assisting in defrosting adjacent windows.These devices are relatively small and fit snugly on most dashboards and consoles and come with a variety of fastening systems. These heaters do not require any wiring work; they utilize the car’s cigarette lighter outlet and because of this feature, they can be plugged in for use and removed for storage in seconds.These heaters are generally small in size, which limits the size of the internal heating element, which in turn limits the amount of warm air they will produce. They will produce warm air, but most models will not match the highest temperatures produced by your car’s heating system when the vehicle is fully warmed up. 12 volt heaters should be considered as an auxiliary to your car’s heating system, not a replacement for it.

Features and specifications common to most 12 volt car heaters;

Price range: $17 - $55

Size: Average size range is 5" width x 7" length x 2.5" height

Weight: 2 – 5 lbs

Cord length: Most car heaters come with a 5’ to 7’ power cord. Some models are available with longer cords, which allow moving the heater to all areas of the vehicle.

Mounting: All are easily mounted to vehicle dashboards, top or side panels, visors, etc.

Color: These models come in several colors including black, blue, silver and combinations of other colors.

Safety: Standard 10 amp blade fuses are used in almost all plug-in type models.

Power draw: 10 -13 amps.

Warranty: 1 year on most models.

Installation: All models can be placed on flat surfaces and come with various fastening systems such as adhesive tape, velcro, etc.

Note that almost all of these portable car heaters are equipped with a safety fuse. Some vehicles have electrical systems that will overload the fuses and render the heater inoperable. Before making a purchase we suggest that you look at the manufacturers specifications or search for customer reviews online to see if there are any comments regarding any particular model of heater being used in specific vehicles.

Some of the better 12 volt portable car heater types are produced under the trade names Roadpro, Koolatron, Thermtec, Pelonis and Delonghi. They can be purchased from various local stores that sell automobile parts and accessories. There are numerous online merchants offering these items and some of the major dealers are J.C. Whitney, Target, Ace Hardware, Amazon, AutoBarn.com and Sears to name just a few.

We hope this information will help you find a 12 volt portable car heater that is suited for your specific needs.