DIY weight activated heating pad?

Saperstein

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Nov 25, 2021, 9:34:41 AM11/25/21

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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.

KenW

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Nov 25, 2021, 10:50:11 AM11/25/21

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On Thu, 25 Nov 2021 09:34:37 -0500, Saperstein <no...@nowhere.com>
wrote:

Google >heat activated heating pad< does get hits

KenW

KenW

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Nov 25, 2021, 10:52:43 AM11/25/21

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On Thu, 25 Nov 2021 09:34:37 -0500, Saperstein <no...@nowhere.com>
wrote:

Just check if waterproof

KenW

Andy Burns

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Nov 25, 2021, 2:37:51 PM11/25/21

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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?

Tim R

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Nov 26, 2021, 11:53:21 AM11/26/21

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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.

Adrian Caspersz

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Nov 26, 2021, 12:47:47 PM11/26/21

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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

Peter W.

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Nov 26, 2021, 1:07:23 PM11/26/21

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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

Phil Allison

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Nov 26, 2021, 3:22:17 PM11/26/21

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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

David Lesher

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Nov 26, 2021, 4:32:03 PM11/26/21

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Saperstein <no...@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

Phil Allison

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Nov 26, 2021, 5:14:48 PM11/26/21

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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

Clifford Heath

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Nov 26, 2021, 5:32:51 PM11/26/21

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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.