Electric Blanket

[Us2cajuns]

Does anyone else have problems with controls going out on an electric blanket. I have a motorhome with an inverter. I plug the electric blanket into a power strip. I keep them unplugged until ready to use and unplug when not using. I have had to purchase several electric blankets because of the controls going out. I know it's something to do with the MH because I have the same type blanket in my home that was in the MH initially and the one in the home hasn't had any problems. Any suggestions or solutions would be greatly appreciated.

[palehorse89]

Hello, I am going to say that your inverter that is in your Coach is a "modified sine wave" inverter, most all circuit boards and delicate electronics do not like this form of AC voltage, seems to burn them up like you are saying. Are you boondocking is why you are powering the blanket off the inverter? No shore power? If not, plug the blanket into a normal AC outlet that is not powered off the inverter and see if it works better.

[MRUSA14]

I have had the same problem. I have given up on using an electric blanket on the coach as they don't like MSW power.

[MSHappyCampers]

I too found out that you don't operate an electric blanket from an inverter, unless it's a pure sine wave, which most are not!

[vermilye]

The SoftHeat Low Voltage line of heated products from Perfect Fit Industries in Charlotte, NC is the only electric blanket I know of that will run on a modified sine wave inverter. I have one, it works, however it did shrink quite a bit when I washed it.

Although not inexpensive, they are cheaper than replacing your inverter with a sine wave version...

[BFlinn181]

An alternative would be to install an appropriately sized pure sine wave inverter to power the outlet for the blanket. Otherwise, you could buy the electric blanket mentioned above. Be aware that modified sine wave inverters can also damage some electronics, phone or tablet chargers, etc. This is not an uncommon issue, if you search the forum you'll find other complaints about things that don't work on MSW inverters.

[Rossi6998]

Depending on how often you boondock and what electronics you use, it may actually be wiser to take the plunge and invest in a pure sine wave inverter. I realize the OP is only talking about an electric blanket and I know a pure sine wave inverter is a costly investment, but it could prevent other problems with electronics (TV, Satellite, laptop, etc.) in the future.

Good luck!

[fastcat]

I'm glad I stumbled onto this thread. The DW has been wanting me to add an inverter fed plug in for her electric blanket. Our coach has the factory installed Magnum 2K inverter. I guess she'll just have to snuggle when we're boondocking.

[oatmeal]

Originally Posted by vermilye

The SoftHeat Low Voltage line of heated products from Perfect Fit Industries in Charlotte, NC is the only electric blanket I know of that will run on a modified sine wave inverter. I have one, it works, however it did shrink quite a bit when I washed it.

Although not inexpensive, they are cheaper than replacing your inverter with a sine wave version...

We've been fulltiming for 11 years with the modified sine wave inverter that came on the motorhome. I'd love to have a pure sine wave inverter, but have an aversion to replacing something that still works.

Previously, we used an electric blanket that was about 15 years old (before electronic controls), but it was dying, so I bought the SoftHeat and it's wonderful. We leave it on the bed year-round and haven't washed it--thanks for the warning.

So far, electric blankets and a DeWalt charger are the only things the MSW inverter has burned up; computers and all that stuff work fine. But I'd like to be able to use my Splendide washing machine on the inverter, and I'm too chicken to try it with MSW.

When the MSW dies, I'd definitely going pure sine wave. But until then, the SoftHeat blanket is the answer to the non-negotiable issue of having an electrically warmed bed.

[Clay L]

We used a good quality king sized down comforter on our queen sized bed.
My wife who sleeps with a blanket in the summer didn't realize that I had accidentally left the heat off one night and it got down to 38 degrees. I asked her how she slept and she said "fine".

[Tomtall]

Some good info here on electric blanket use.
Safety & Care - Electric Blanket Institute

[oatmeal]

Originally Posted by Clay L

We used a good quality king sized down comforter on our queen sized bed.
My wife who sleeps with a blanket in the summer didn't realize that I had accidentally left the heat off one night and it got down to 38 degrees. I asked her how she slept and she said "fine".

Was that 38 degrees inside the RV????

My use of an electric blanket is almost always just for warming up the bed; once I'm in it and warm, I turn the blanket off while I sleep unless the temperature inside the RV is going to be below around 60--in that case, I leave the blanket on LOW.

I'm always cold when I go to bed, even in the summer. No amount of down comforters or other blankets will ADD the warmth I need to be comfortable. They'll retain heat, and that's fine once I'm warm, but I have to GET warm first. People who don't have this problem have a hard time understanding it.

I also almost always have cold feet. People say, "Put on a pair of warm socks," but it's the same with the blanket--socks can't add heat to my feet. I can warm them by soaking them in hot water, or wrapping them in a heating pad, and once they're warm, socks will work fine for keeping them warm for a while. But without some sort of external application of heat, they just can't get warm.

[Clay L]

Yes 38 degrees inside the RV and she didn't get cold. I was amazed.

[palehorse89]

Originally Posted by Clay L

Yes 38 degrees inside the RV and she didn't get cold. I was amazed.

I am even more amazed that the inside temps. got down to 38 degrees, and the both of you never woke Thats cold!