DIY Electric Heater Project: Newbie Seeking Resources

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a DIY project to build a small electric heater, with participants sharing resources and ideas for a beginner in electronics. The scope includes basic circuitry, safety considerations, and potential project ideas leading up to more complex applications like handlebar warmers for bicycles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks resources for building a small electric heater, expressing limited experience in electronics.
  • Another participant suggests starting with a heating pad as a safer project, emphasizing the importance of using safety-approved power sources.
  • There is a mention of the complexity of building a space heater powered by AC mains, indicating it may be beyond the beginner's current capabilities.
  • Participants discuss using nichrome wire as a heating element and provide links to introductory articles on heating elements.
  • One participant proposes using resistors with appropriate ohms and wattage as an alternative method for creating a heater, referencing a specific design for controlling dew on telescopes.
  • Considerations regarding power source weight and size are raised for future projects like handlebar warmers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for safety in project selection and the appropriateness of starting with simpler projects. However, there are multiple approaches suggested for building the heater, and no consensus on the best initial project exists.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the participants' varying levels of experience and the potential safety risks associated with different types of heaters. The discussion does not resolve the best practices for beginners in DIY electronics.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in DIY electronics projects, particularly beginners looking to build heating devices or gain familiarity with circuitry.

Soccerdude240
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Hey everyone! I am trying to build a small electric heater as a DIY project. My only experience in electronics is a digital electronics class I took...other than that, I'm new to just about all of this stuff, but I can pick up on things rather quickly. Does anyone have any good resources that you think might help me get started?


Thanks in advance!
 
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Soccerdude240 said:
Hey everyone! I am trying to build a small electric heater as a DIY project. My only experience in electronics is a digital electronics class I took...other than that, I'm new to just about all of this stuff, but I can pick up on things rather quickly. Does anyone have any good resources that you think might help me get started?


Thanks in advance!

Welcome to the PF.

Do you mean like a heating pad? That could be a fairly safe first project, as long as you use a packaged power source that already has safety approvals (like UL). A moderate-size wall transformer could be your power source -- you can get them from Radio Shack and similar stores.

If you mean like a moderate-power space heater powered by the AC Mains (110Vrms, etc.), that is beyond your abilities at the moment. You have plenty to learn before tackling an AC Mains based project, which includes using safety agency approved design practices and construction techniques.

What do you want to heat?
 
I'm just looking for some projects to get me familiar with circuitry and electricity and general. I am working up to building some handlebar warmers for my bike (which will be a much tougher challenge) so I'm starting small. Any other resources you might have wold be greatly appreciated!
 
Soccerdude240 said:
I'm just looking for some projects to get me familiar with circuitry and electricity and general. I am working up to building some handlebar warmers for my bike (which will be a much tougher challenge) so I'm starting small. Any other resources you might have wold be greatly appreciated!

Nichrome wire is typically used as the heating element. Here is an intro article, with links out to other information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heating_element

.
 
Soccerdude240 said:
I'm just looking for some projects to get me familiar with circuitry and electricity and general. I am working up to building some handlebar warmers for my bike (which will be a much tougher challenge) so I'm starting small. Any other resources you might have wold be greatly appreciated!
As berkeman says, "Nichrome wire is typically used...". But as a learning project, you could make a heater with the proper (ohms and wattage) resistors. Here is a heater made this way for controlling dew on telescopes. It's designed to operate on 12 volts dc.
http://www.dewbuster.com/heaters/heaters.html"

When you get to your handlebar warmers, consideration as to your power source becomes important; weight/size determined by how much current you need.
 
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