• DIY weight activated heating pad?

    From Saperstein@21:1/5 to All on Thu Nov 25 09:34:37 2021
    I have been using a spare heating pad to keep an outdoor feral cat warm.
    Although I have it on a timer now so it doesn't heat continually, I'd
    rather go with something weight activated so that, once the cat steps
    onto it, it comes on and is otherwise off. Could I fashion something
    myself that would do the job? If not, or as an alternative, what are
    some ready made options that aren't costly? Thankyou.

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  • From KenW@21:1/5 to All on Thu Nov 25 08:50:07 2021
    On Thu, 25 Nov 2021 09:34:37 -0500, Saperstein <none@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    I have been using a spare heating pad to keep an outdoor feral cat warm.
    Although I have it on a timer now so it doesn't heat continually, I'd
    rather go with something weight activated so that, once the cat steps
    onto it, it comes on and is otherwise off. Could I fashion something
    myself that would do the job? If not, or as an alternative, what are
    some ready made options that aren't costly? Thankyou.

    Google >heat activated heating pad< does get hits


    KenW

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  • From KenW@21:1/5 to All on Thu Nov 25 08:52:39 2021
    On Thu, 25 Nov 2021 09:34:37 -0500, Saperstein <none@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    I have been using a spare heating pad to keep an outdoor feral cat warm.
    Although I have it on a timer now so it doesn't heat continually, I'd
    rather go with something weight activated so that, once the cat steps
    onto it, it comes on and is otherwise off. Could I fashion something
    myself that would do the job? If not, or as an alternative, what are
    some ready made options that aren't costly? Thankyou.

    Just check if waterproof


    KenW

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  • From Andy Burns@21:1/5 to Saperstein on Thu Nov 25 19:37:48 2021
    Saperstein wrote:

    I have been using a spare heating pad to keep an outdoor feral cat warm.
     Although I have it on a timer now so it doesn't heat continually, I'd rather
    go with something weight activated so that, once the cat steps onto it, it comes
    on and is otherwise off.

    Would that "work" as far as the cat is concerned?

    i.e. does it only lay on the pad because it's already warm from the timer, or do
    you think it has it formed a habit that it'll continue to use it, even if it's cold when it lies down?

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  • From Tim R@21:1/5 to Andy Burns on Fri Nov 26 08:53:19 2021
    On Thursday, November 25, 2021 at 2:37:51 PM UTC-5, Andy Burns wrote:
    Saperstein wrote:

    I have been using a spare heating pad to keep an outdoor feral cat warm.
    Although I have it on a timer now so it doesn't heat continually, I'd rather
    go with something weight activated so that, once the cat steps onto it, it comes
    on and is otherwise off.
    Would that "work" as far as the cat is concerned?

    Does a cat weigh enough? You might try a motion detector activated, combined with a timer shutoff.

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  • From Peter W.@21:1/5 to All on Fri Nov 26 10:07:21 2021
    First: The cat will go where it is warm, and be drawn to that. You will notice that the fur between its eyes and its ears is thinner than the rest of the fur on the skull - this is where cats sense infra-red - and it is directional just as with their
    sight and hearing. A weight-actuated heating pad will be cold when not in use, and so not attractive to the cat.
    Second: If you put the pad inside a sheltered area or box, over a piece of thick, stiff foam, that will help retain the heat, and make the timer a more reliable option both for safety and for the cat.
    Lastly, there are fixed-value thermostats that will hold a temperature (hence the suggestion of a sheltered area or box) at whatever you want it to be.

    If you really want the timer function, you may put the fixed-value stat in series with it. If you want there to be minimal warmth whatever the timer wants, put them in parallel, but use a lower temp fixed stat. You have options.

    https://www.trutechtools.com/IO-HVAC-Controls-iO-TS70-70-Degree-Thermostat-Heating

    KISS

    Peter Wieck
    Melrose Park, PA

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  • From Adrian Caspersz@21:1/5 to Saperstein on Fri Nov 26 17:47:43 2021
    On 25/11/2021 14:34, Saperstein wrote:
    I have been using a spare heating pad to keep an outdoor feral cat warm.
     Although I have it on a timer now so it doesn't heat continually, I'd rather go with something weight activated so that, once the cat steps
    onto it, it comes on and is otherwise off.  Could I fashion something
    myself that would do the job?  If not, or as an alternative, what are
    some ready made options that aren't costly?  Thankyou.

    How many watts is the heating pad? Your timer solution sounds optimal if
    it is low power.

    I mean, you could go and do the whole thing that detects snoring /
    movement and reduces the temperature whilst it's asleep. For the cost of hardware and software that would fascinate a geek.

    Bottom line. Is the cat complaining?

    Has it engaged the services of lawyers yet?

    --
    Adrian C

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  • From Phil Allison@21:1/5 to Saperstein on Fri Nov 26 12:22:14 2021
    Saperstein wrote:
    ---------------------------
    I have been using a spare heating pad to keep an outdoor feral cat warm. Although I have it on a timer now so it doesn't heat continually, I'd
    rather go with something weight activated so that, once the cat steps
    onto it, it comes on and is otherwise off.

    ** FFS why bother ?

    Bet that pad consumes only 10 watts of power.
    Cost about 5 cents a day to run.


    ..... Phil

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  • From Phil Allison@21:1/5 to David Lesher on Fri Nov 26 14:14:46 2021
    David Lesher wrote:
    =================


    The alarm industry sell pressure pads for detecting walkers. I used
    one and a LV relay for a sibling's Doberman who hated cold weather.


    ** The OP is a total wanker, his idea is nuts.
    The cat will not be attracted to sleep on a cold mat.
    So the thing needs to be left on 24/7 - for around 5c a day.


    ...... Phil

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  • From David Lesher@21:1/5 to Saperstein on Fri Nov 26 21:32:00 2021
    Saperstein <none@nowhere.com> writes:

    I have been using a spare heating pad to keep an outdoor feral cat warm.
    Although I have it on a timer now so it doesn't heat continually, I'd
    rather go with something weight activated so that, once the cat steps
    onto it, it comes on and is otherwise off. Could I fashion something
    myself that would do the job?

    The alarm industry sell pressure pads for detecting walkers. I used
    one and a LV relay for a sibling's Doberman who hated cold weather.

    You might have to feed the cat more to get her/him fat enough
    to trip the pad...


    --
    A host is a host from coast to coast...............wb8foz@panix.com
    & no one will talk to a host that's close..........................
    Unless the host (that isn't close).........................pob 1433
    is busy, hung or dead....................................20915-1433

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  • From Clifford Heath@21:1/5 to Phil Allison on Sat Nov 27 09:32:47 2021
    On 27/11/21 7:22 am, Phil Allison wrote:
    Saperstein wrote:
    ---------------------------
    I have been using a spare heating pad to keep an outdoor feral cat warm.
    Although I have it on a timer now so it doesn't heat continually, I'd
    rather go with something weight activated so that, once the cat steps
    onto it, it comes on and is otherwise off.

    ** FFS why bother ?

    Bet that pad consumes only 10 watts of power.
    Cost about 5 cents a day to run.

    Yep. We had one that only consumed 4 watts, not enough to actually help
    our cat. Luckily its 12V power input was compatible with a spare 19V
    laptop power brick, and 10W was enough for the cat while still being safe.

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