[APML]: Active Cold Weather Gear

[lbo@kktv.com]

FYI..i just happened to be talking to Strand Surplus and they still
have 2 or 3 of those WWII
"flying ace" electric bunny suits. They are medium or small (no large
ones left), blue in color.
If you do any all night astrophotography like i do (at 8500 feet)
during the winter these
are for you.. i have tried all of the passive warmups and they don't
hack it when the temperature
drops below 10F.  These bunny suits are 24 volts but they work really
nicely off of a 12 volt
battery in the field. i had a dc regulator at one time but now i am
using mine with a 24 VAC transformer
and a Variac so the heat is adjustable and i run off of 110VAC. of
course you must be tethered and use a break-away connector so you don't
trip yourself up.
The suits pull about 3.5 amps on 12 volts (85 watts) . if you can't get
one of these things
you could make a poncho out of an electric blanket very easily.
i am able to work without gloves down to 10 degrees F. 
i wear a down vest over the suit to keep the heat from escaping.
Call Strand Surplus at  409 762-7397 to order, price is about $40...
if anyone has another source with more of these suits and more sizes
please post it...

i also have a heated rubber floor mat which keeps the boots warm. i
have never noticed any
problems with heat turbulence from these devices.

Paul Signorelli    LBO@kktv.com
Las Brisas Observatory
Florissant, CO.