Propane powered windshield defroster

Waterfish · 02-04-2004, 08:32 PM

I have a small 12 volt removeable windshield defroster that I use in my boat on cold rainy days. It only defrosts an area about the size of a paper plate (better than nothing). I wonder if there is any such thing as a detachable propane powered windshield defroster? Something that would run on the little disposable propane bottles, and would connect to a perforated tube that would blow a good blast of warm air onto the windshield along a distance of several feet? Probably no such thing, but if there was I would buy one!

salmurai · 02-04-2004, 08:53 PM

I used a 12 volt fan, like you used to see on school buses. I think you can get some that plug into your cig lighter and they have a clamp. Joes might have them....

blacktail519 · 02-04-2004, 08:58 PM

I'll tell ya what.... In boat, if i am sittin at the dock, and I am having the frosted up window problem. I fire up the MR.HEATER... With the top up, it defrosts my windows very well...

Or you can do it swiftly with a terry cloth :grin:

Hunter56787 · 02-04-2004, 09:12 PM

I have not yet learned how to post a pic, but on eBay they have a propane tent heater w/12v fan that looks like it could used for a defroster. I've been thinking about getting one for keeping the kids warm while out fishing, mount the burner out side so they wont get burned...... $74.95 + s/h

Ross

Waterfish · 02-04-2004, 10:01 PM

I should have said "defogged" rather than "defrosted", although on the John Day in December it was snowy and did get frosty a few times. When my top and drop down back wall are on, I usually have my Mr. Heater Buddy catalytic heater going (sits on floor). It keeps the boat nice and warm but the windows still fog up if it is raining and cold.

Hunter, that propane tent heater with fan sounds like it would be worth checking into. How big is it - would it fit on a dash, or could you rig some piping from it to blow air on the windshild? Also, it would have to be catalytic, so you could run it with your top and doors on. The Mr. Heater Buddy catalytic heater is a great heater, but it is too big to put on the dash, and it does not have a blower.

k9jeff · 02-05-2004, 12:53 AM

try an anti fog window treatment like rain-x or another brand. It works.

trap50 · 02-05-2004, 02:33 AM

I set my heater on my step up and clip a 12 volt fan to the bow for my top. With the fan running it clears both sides of the windsheild. Works great for me.

[ 02-05-2004, 03:34 AM: Message edited by: trap50 ]

10 more minutes · 02-05-2004, 09:52 AM

I read once that a heater placed too close to a cold window would crack the glass...that true?

bassin · 02-05-2004, 12:21 PM

10 more: that is true. don't get it to close

Gr8waves · 02-05-2004, 12:47 PM

You can see that propane tent heater at local places like GI Joes - it also comes with a flexible tube that the wife will steal and shove under her coat to stay warm.

Digifish · 02-05-2004, 01:29 PM

Try these, some look pretty clever

propane tent heaters - search on Froogle

Hunter56787 · 02-05-2004, 08:08 PM

Ty Digifish, the first one on that page is just like the one on eBay, just no battery box with it. I like the idea of having the burner out side and blow the warm air in, mount the burner out of the way of fishin.

Waterfish · 02-05-2004, 08:13 PM

Digifish,

I checked out your link to the Zodi heaters. I think those would be perfect to use a defroster because they come with flex piping that you could extend to the windshield and they have a battery accessory for the blower. Pretty versitle too because besides using it as a defroster/defogger, it puts out enough BTUs to use as your heater too. A little spendy, but I just may get one... Thanks for telling us about it!