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  • Author Author: dwinhold
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Safe and Sound – Winter Survival Suit - Post #6 (Power requirements)

dwinhold

For this weeks update I will be discussing the power requirements to heat the suit. I have finished sewing in the carbon fiber heating tape into the suit. I used 750mm lengths of tape to keep my power consumption consistent (It also worked out that way). For each leg I used 2 lengths, for the arms I used 1 length each and for the torso I used 4 lengths. If I would have thought this out when I ordered the carbon fiber I would have ordered more, I bought just enough for my suit but the wife and kids are now wanting more apparel made with the heating ability; I guess I will be ordering more shortly.

 

So, with 750mm (29 ½”) carbon fiber tape, using 7.4v @ .53 amps uses 3.56 Watts of power. This will give me a temperature of 42.2c (107.96F). This temperature isn’t to hot (It may even be to low) but this can
be adjusted by the power supply.

 

Note:

Heating pads – Low: 43c (110F) Med: 59c (138F) High: 71c (160F)

 

My power supply is made up of 10 – 18650 Batteries. Each battery is 3.7V 2600mAH, this will allow 50% of the suit to be heated at the same time. With my experience in Search and Rescue and outdoor survival this
should be adequate to keep you warm and safe. If for unforeseen reasons all elements of the suit need to be on all elements would reach a temperature of 33.2c (91.76F)

 

Power supply layout:

image

 

 

I am still waiting for my temperature sensors to arrive, hopefully this week so I can give a more in depth report next week.

 

Dale Winhold

  • in reply to mcb1

    Hi Mark,

     

    I have been thinking about this when I started the project, with your comment I am now seriously considering adding it in. Great comment!!

     

    Thank you

     

    Dale W

  • in reply to DAB

    Hi DAB,

     

    When I get to the testing of the suit I will find out!! I plan on making sure this will be corrected if it is an issue. I will have to have the volts to the carbon fiber increase in order to up the temperature. This will be part of the final steps of this project.

     

    Thank you for the comment

     

    Dale W

  • in reply to dwinhold

    Thanks for the reply.

    I appreciate that the suit would be controlled, but I was wondering if you had considered an 'override' if you like.

     

    I guess that the fine tuning will eventually remove the need for manual tweaking ...

     

    mark

  • It will be interesting to see if you can supply enough heat on extreme temperature days.

     

    DAB

  • in reply to mcb1

    Hi

     

    Thank you for the comment and question!!

     

    Q:is there a method of altering where the energy is applied.?

     

    The answer to the question is yes.

    I will have 6 temperature sensors being used, left and right arm, leg and torso. When one or more sensors drop below the set temperature, the computer will signal the power relay module to send power to that specific area. The power module can supply 8 different locations. I only have 6 that will be used. So if the left leg and right arm are cold, just those areas will be heated until the temperature is up to normal. Testing the suit will be very critical to find the right amount of heat in order for the temperature to remain constant. The temperature sensors will also be located in a spot where they won't be directly affected by the heat source. I don't want the suit to get cold in one area and the heat from the tape heat the sensor and shut off before it warms you up.

     

    Dale W