CAPTAIN SINBAD
Contributor
Has anyone ever tried using a battery heated vest inside your drysuit? Id love to hear your experiences with that.
battery heated vest anyone?
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I have tried one of the motorcycle vests (Cozy Winters) and although I liked having the heat, the electronics that controlled the vest proved very unreliable and we eventually gave up using them anywhere, on land or in the water.
I have a Santi heated vest which I have just finished assembling (the vest doesn't take assembly, but getting the throughport on the suit, and the E/O connectors on a canister took a while). I'm eager to see how I like it. I have several friends who have them and swear by them. But the total cost of vest, port, cord, canister and battery (unless you have extras sitting around, which we did) will run in the neighborhood of $1000.
I have a Santi heated vest which I have just finished assembling (the vest doesn't take assembly, but getting the throughport on the suit, and the E/O connectors on a canister took a while). I'm eager to see how I like it. I have several friends who have them and swear by them. But the total cost of vest, port, cord, canister and battery (unless you have extras sitting around, which we did) will run in the neighborhood of $1000.
w ripley
Contributor
Same as above. Tried several and had so-so results. I managed to waterproof the battery, but didn't like having to turn the vest on before zipping up the drysuit, especially on those days when it was HOT on the surface and cold on the bottom. And there was no way to change the heat setting once in the water,
I went with the Golem Gear vest. About $1,000 but find I don't want to dive without it. Even on cave dives, when I've got an hour or two on deco, the heat is great. You turn it on when you need it and, with the GG, you have 3 different heat settings to crank it up as it gets colder. Probably could have paid for it with all of the other vests I tried and discarded.
I went with the Golem Gear vest. About $1,000 but find I don't want to dive without it. Even on cave dives, when I've got an hour or two on deco, the heat is great. You turn it on when you need it and, with the GG, you have 3 different heat settings to crank it up as it gets colder. Probably could have paid for it with all of the other vests I tried and discarded.
Has anyone tried the heated vests for surfing? Rip curl makes one that is rated to 30'. Not a perfect situation but may be workable. What is the pressure the battery would see as we descend and add air to the dry suit? Probably the same as the outside of the suit but it's out of my physics reasoning
The pressure inside the suit is the same as the ambient pressure outside. I have wondered if the pressure was why the electronic controller on our motorcycle vests failed.
BTW, the Santi heated vest absolutely and utterly ROCKS. It's a power hog, though; I get about 90 minutes of heating off a 9.5 aH NiMH battery. But I've found that turning it on about 30 minutes into a dive means I don't get out of the water cold AT ALL. I'm really looking forward to doing a day of boat diving, and seeing how much more comfortable I am.
BTW, the Santi heated vest absolutely and utterly ROCKS. It's a power hog, though; I get about 90 minutes of heating off a 9.5 aH NiMH battery. But I've found that turning it on about 30 minutes into a dive means I don't get out of the water cold AT ALL. I'm really looking forward to doing a day of boat diving, and seeing how much more comfortable I am.
I have seen a lot of divers taking the less expensive route with the motorcycle vests but have seen failure after failure. I need reliability, especially on Deco dives so it doesn't get any better then the SANTI heated vest. I got mine last June and Love It!
I've used a Quiksilver heated vest (designed for surfing) under my drysuit with okay results. The only problem I had using it was that pressure through the suit on the button would occasionally turn it on or off. I switched undergarments to the Halo 3D and haven't had a problem with it since (though I now leave it on shore frequently as I'm too warm!!!)
In general, though, I'd advise upgrading your insulation before bothering with a low-end heated vest. I think there's more bang for your buck in undergarments.
In general, though, I'd advise upgrading your insulation before bothering with a low-end heated vest. I think there's more bang for your buck in undergarments.
A buddy (drysuit diver) was looking at heated vests, as well, to deal with being cold. He actually gave DAN a shout and ended up talking to a Dr who was quite knowledgeable/active in Arctic diving.
The upshot of the heated vest discussion was that there were off-gassing issues/concerns to be aware of during longer dives and that a first step was to, instead, try a neck warmer. Those things that look like a ear warmer headband (Dickie's ?) only its worn around your neck. Seems that by keeping your neck warm you reduce a significant amount of the body's heat loss.
He started wearing this under his drysuit and was quite happy with the results. Something to consider...
The upshot of the heated vest discussion was that there were off-gassing issues/concerns to be aware of during longer dives and that a first step was to, instead, try a neck warmer. Those things that look like a ear warmer headband (Dickie's ?) only its worn around your neck. Seems that by keeping your neck warm you reduce a significant amount of the body's heat loss.
He started wearing this under his drysuit and was quite happy with the results. Something to consider...
HenrikBP
Contributor
That's an interesting - and inexpensive - idea. Makes sense with major blood vessels passing through that area
Henrik
The upshot of the heated vest discussion was that there were off-gassing issues/concerns to be aware of during longer dive.
With the proper use of heated vest, I have not witnessed any issues. Most important is the need to be comfortable for the end of the dive, with Deco involved. Being cold and shivering for Deco is not good. Issues regarding heated vest (only heard of these on Deco dives) have come from failed vests and divers in too light (relying on heat) of an undergarment.
With the proper use of heated vest, I have not witnessed any issues. Most important is the need to be comfortable for the end of the dive, with Deco involved. Being cold and shivering for Deco is not good. Issues regarding heated vest (only heard of these on Deco dives) have come from failed vests and divers in too light (relying on heat) of an undergarment.
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