Temorary Heated Floor Mats

[Greatwhitewing]

Hi all, I am thinking about using a heated floor mat in my unheated tent garage and like to tap any direct experience here or just general common sense. I am located in chilly central Mass. My tent is over patio blocks.

The mat would be stored rolled up and layed down after the car is jacked up then rolled under where I am working, go get a cup of coffee while it warms up a bit then turn on a space heater, probably a Mr. Heater Propane @60k BTU space heater.

The garage offers precipitation protection and some wind protection with the sliding doors open. Can't get a car all the way in to shut doors. Well I could with a great deal of extra relocation of accumulated "things".

These are the mats I found in my searching. Any cogent thoughts or opinions?

http://www.americanfloormats.com/heated-entrance-floor-mats-icesnow-melting-mats/

http://cozywinters.com/shop/heattrak-mat2.html

http://www.heatsourcedirect.com/hea...enter+Google&gclid=CIH8ucaRo7sCFSRk7AodLUcAtA

http://www.heattrak.com/Products/Industrial-Products.htm

http://www.floormat.com/heated-mats/index.html

Thanks

 

[brycez28]

I don't have any experience with those mats, but I would be very cautious with a propane heater in there. I for one am guilty of using my heater in places I probably shouldn't, but my biggest concern with it is where the direct heat from the heater is pointed. Doesn't sound like there is much space in there since the car doesn't completely fit. You don't want it to melt or start your tent garage on fire. I like putting a box fan a couple feet away from mine to blow the air around and prevent hot spots.

 

[koditten]

Those tent garages are full of air leaks. You will have plenty of air turnover. Just don't aim it directly at anything plastic.

The heated mats come with a GFI plug, you will be fine.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

I don't have any experience with those mats, but I would be very cautious with a propane heater in there. I for one am guilty of using my heater in places I probably shouldn't, but my biggest concern with it is where the direct heat from the heater is pointed. Doesn't sound like there is much space in there since the car doesn't completely fit. You don't want it to melt or start your tent garage on fire. I like putting a box fan a couple feet away from mine to blow the air around and prevent hot spots.

Circulating fan is a good idea. Thanks

 

[Greatwhitewing]

Those tent garages are full of air leaks. You will have plenty of air turnover. Just don't aim it directly at anything plastic.

The heated mats come with a GFI plug, you will be fine.

plenty of air leaks especially with the doors open. probably couple hundred CFM with the doors closed and a gentle breeze outside.

I can place the heater 10-15 feet from the closest part of the car. I assume that would be enough to keep the bumper from melting in 30 degrees or colder..

 

[theoldwizard1]

Let us know what you decide to buy and how well they work. Occasionally I need to do some repairs when the cement is below 50F and it is not comfortable !

 

[Greatwhitewing]

Let us know what you decide to buy and how well they work. Occasionally I need to do some repairs when the cement is below 50F and it is not comfortable !

I got a quick email back from floormat.com advising the greener anti-fatique heated mat would be the best solution. http://floormat.com/heated-mats/greener-heat-anti-fatigue-mats.html

It's just a little smaller than I would pick if I had a choice but workable and I could also use it at the workbench when not lying on it. 36"x50-60" might be a better size. I know I could get two...

This is my baseline for now but not sure when I will actually make a purchase. May try the space heater first and see how good a job that does since it's cheaper than the mat. The mats are kinda spensive and money is a little tight these days. Ideally I would have both mat and space heater.

 

[Milton Shaw]

I would wonder what an electric blanket would do with maybe a moving blanket under it. That way it would be adjustable and comfortable put a couple of pillows there and you would be set. Should be a lot more comfortable than a mat made for melting show, etc under a car.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

I would wonder what an electric blanket would do with maybe a moving blanket under it. That way it would be adjustable and comfortable put a couple of pillows there and you would be set. Should be a lot more comfortable than a mat made for melting show, etc under a car.

The mat in the my last post is an anti-fatigue mat. They are usually fairly soft and probably softer than the cardboard I use now and wamer...

 

[theoldwizard1]

This is my baseline for now but not sure when I will actually make a purchase. May try the space heater first and see how good a job that does since it's cheaper than the mat. The mats are kinda spensive and money is a little tight these days. Ideally I would have both mat and space heater.

YOW !

I guess I will just double or triple up the cardboard for winter !

 

[Greatwhitewing]

YOW !

I guess I will just double or triple up the cardboard for winter !

Might do that too but that means I have to buy something new cause I am down to one peice left! lol

 

[madison069]

Might do that too but that means I have to buy something new cause I am down to one peice left! lol

Go dumpster diving behind a big store, or equipment store. Lots of cardboards there!

 

[Greatwhitewing]

Go dumpster diving behind a big store, or equipment store. Lots of cardboards there!

Rather buy something! lol
Maybe a tool! or I might be a tool, I get confused about that...

 

[1SlowFormula]

wow, that is expensive, I would rather build my own for maybe 1/8 the price. You can get 12V heated car seat warmers for about $40 for a good set, and a 12V ac adapter for a few dollars then build them into whatever padded surface you want, even a creeper...

Actually, a heated creeper sounds good to me, I guess I have another project just added my list, lol...