Is it any less efficient to drive a 12V version of a heat cable from a step-down buck than directly powering a 230V version of it directly from the wall?
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1\$\begingroup\$ The step-down will not have 100% efficiency. But if you just wanted to heat up the room anyway... \$\endgroup\$ – Turbo J Oct 22 '16 at 14:36
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\$\begingroup\$ So it makes sense to use a 12V version since it's easier to dim via PWM? \$\endgroup\$ – HelloFellow Oct 22 '16 at 14:44
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1\$\begingroup\$ Can you arrange it so that the heat dissipated by the voltage converter goes to where the heating takes place? \$\endgroup\$ – Andrew Morton Oct 22 '16 at 16:09
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Of course 12V is less efficient because of convrter loss. But you have to consider the safety of two different systems. If you want to heat your bed, I would reccomend you to use a 12V vesion, but no buck, rather and isolated PSU. If you will heating a concrete floor, then a 230VAC is more appropiate, however a GFCI device might be needed.
answered Oct 22 '16 at 15:55
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\$\begingroup\$ If you want to heat a bed, then it might be better to get a manufactured one. Then you can sue them if you wake up dead. \$\endgroup\$ – Andrew Morton Oct 22 '16 at 16:08
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\$\begingroup\$ @AndrewMorton Most of bed heaters are 230VAC, in the manual is saying: don't use while in bed. So even with manufactured one you can take a sleep. \$\endgroup\$ – Marko Buršič Oct 22 '16 at 16:20
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\$\begingroup\$ @AndrewMorton I meant can take a long sleep, without waking. \$\endgroup\$ – Marko Buršič Oct 22 '16 at 16:25
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\$\begingroup\$ Ha ha, it lost something in the translation both ways :) \$\endgroup\$ – Andrew Morton Oct 22 '16 at 16:29
