The simplest heater hack ever! just a 12v computer case fan and a 12v ripple style "ptc ceramic" heating element. that's it. just pair them together and power it up. video shows the unit running on a 12v 100w solar panel *but a 12v battery or any 12v source can be used - *and since it only pulls about 6 amps, it should run fine thru an automobiles' 12v power port (cig. lighter socket). just wire a 12v power plug to the unit and plug it in. note that the heating elements come in various shapes and sizes. just pick one that matches the size of the fan you have. i used 50/60mm 12v computer case fan and paired it with a 12v 70w (roughly 6 amp) element. couldn't be better. puts out a continuous strong hot airflow. i ran it for over an hour straight with no loss of heating power. (and fan stayed cool the whole time!) note: always blow the air thru the element. *the heat produced feels somewhere between sitting in front of a cars heater vents and sitting in front of a hair dryer. makes a good tabletop room/small space office/cubicle heater. good for all uses: off-gridding, camping, emergencies, use in your car or for everyday household use. and free heat all day (w/solar panel hook up). finally, here is some extra research/interesting reading on these elements... Ceramic heaters are easily portable and give off a great deal of heat from a small box. These heaters tend to be more energy efficient and safer than many heaters, so even though they heat up quickly, their plastic casings stay cool. A great use for this type of fan would be in a small office or tabletop.
As the plates get warmer, they heat up aluminum baffles. Then, a fan blows the warm air from the baffles and into the room. One of the many benefits of using a ceramic heater is that it provides a constant source of heat but doesn't get hot enough to pose a fire hazard or burn risk.
Heating principle PTC ceramic material is semi-conductive and when voltage is applied to it, the power decreases quickly as it reaches a certain temperature according to the particular composition of the ceramic. The ceramic elements are in contact with aluminum fins, thereby heating the fins up. A fan blowing across the fins heats the air.
Differences from other electric heaters | Electric heating elements made of resistance wire also have a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity, but do not increase their resistance enough to be self-regulating; they are typically used with the wires red-hot. The ceramic, on the other hand, increases its resistance sharply at the Curie temperatures of the crystalline components, typically 120 degrees Celsius, and remains below 200 degrees Celsius, providing a significant safety advantage.
finally, note that these elements heat up very fast and are electrified. always be careful.
links to a couple of them
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