Helios Heater

Helios Heater, How Does It Work?

How Does Helios Heater Work? Let is learn…

What Is In The Pad?

The pad contains water, food grade sodium acetate trihydrate (an ingredient in salt and vinegar potato chips) and a stainless steel disc. When the pad is in its liquid state it is a "super saturated" solution.

Why Won't The Pad Activate?

The Heating-Pad must be in its liquid state and below 50° C (122° F) before it will activate. If the pad is too hot it will not activate. When you activate a warm pad, it will not crystallize and turn white; the pad will go cloudy and remain mostly liquid, this is because only the liquid that is below 54° C (130° F) will crystallize and the rest will remain liquid to generate heat as the pad cools. In this way a warm pad will remain near its maximum temperature until all of the liquid has crystallized. Occasionally it may require a few flexes of the disc but the pad should activate.

How Is The Heat Produced?

Flexing the metal disc in the liquid pad creates a seed crystal that starts a chain reaction causing the pad to crystallize. This crystallization ALWAYS occurs at a temperature of 54 o C (130° F) The pad will not activate if it is above this temperature. Once activated, the Helios-Pad has available to it a predetermined amount of energy. It will use this energy to increase the temperature of the pad to 54 o C and use whatever is left to maintain that temperature. This ability to produce heat for a period of time is accomplished because all of the liquid does not crystallize immediately. Molecules that were not required to heat the pad to its maximum temperature will remain liquid, and crystallize as required, to maintain the maximum temperature. This means that a pad that is warm will maintain its maximum temperature longer than one that is cold.

How Do You Reuse The Pad?

Once the Heating-Pad has given off all of its heat it will remain in its crystallized state until it is recharged. This is accomplished by placing the crystallized pad in boiling water for 5 to 20 minutes (depending upon the size of the pad) until all of the crystals are melted. Once completely liquefied, remove the Helios-Pad from the water and store it until it is required. The Heating- Pad should remain liquid as it cools. If crystals form as the pad cools it has not been boiled long enough and should be re-boiled.

How Long Does The Heat Last?

Depending on its size, starting temperature and insulation, a Heating-Pad will provide heat from 15 minutes to 3 hours. Starting at room temperature and used as a heating pad, it will remain at its maximum temperature for approximately one hour and slowly cool to room temperature in about three to four hours. If you use the pad immediately after it has been recharged, (wrap it in an extra layer of towel as it may be very hot) it will give off heat as it cools and then may be activated while still warm. In this way the  pad may last as long as 6 hours.

How Many Times Can They Be Used?

There is no limit as to the number of times a Pad can be used. There are pads still in use after five years. The pad will not operate if there is a hole in the vinyl. It is manufactured from the same vinyl as is used in water beds.

What Are The White Crystals That Form In The Liquid Pad?

If the Pad has been stored in its crystallized state for an extended period of time, a small amount of water can evaporate from the pad and cause the solution to become more concentrated. This higher concentration is indicated by "snowflake like" crystals in the liquid pad. The pad will still operate but at a slightly higher temperature. This water loss can be substantially reduced by storing the pad in its liquid state and may be reversed by extending the boiling times and by leaving the pad in water to cool.     

What Happens If The Pad Gets A Hole In It?

If a liquid Pad gets a hole in it, it will activate. The pad will not able to be recharged and must be exchanged. The contents are not dangerous and may be dealt with as if you were dealing with normal salt.

What Is The Best Way To Use The Pad Outdoors When İt's Cold?

Just before you go out, pre-heat the liquid Heating-Pad in a sink of hot water. (the hotter the better) Store the pad as close to your body as possible (don't activate the pad) and you can use this heat to keep you warm as the pad cools. Once the pad has cooled to a point where you are getting cold, activate the liquid pad and it will heat to keep you warm longer. Please note that vinyl gets brittle when it gets very cold and can be easily damaged.

Can I Recharge The Pad Without Boiling?

Yes the pad can be recharged using other sources of heat. I have partially melted the crystals on the dash of my car even in this northern climate. A food warmer will also melt the crystals. The concern is that you do not have it so hot as to melt the vinyl, while still having enough heat to melt the crystals. You also have to watch with any method you are using so that the pad does not swell up and cause a seam to break.

Can I Use The Pad As a Cold Pack?

Yes the pad can be used as a cold pack. Place the pad in your fridge (NOT THE FREEZER) for an hour before use, and then simply use it as you would a cold pack. The Pad will remain cold for an extended period without being too cold.  

How To Make The Heat Last Longer?

Heat the liquid Heating-Pad in hot water before using and then activate. Pre-heating the pad does not change the maximum temperature of the pad but will dramatically increase the duration of the heat. When using the pad immediately after recharging, wrap the pad in an extra layer of towel. You can have the benefit of the heat as the pad cools as well as the extended heat by activating the pad while it is still warm.

Outdoors In Cold Weather

When using the pad outdoors in the winter, store it under your clothes as close to your body as possible. In this way the pad will be kept warm to achieve maximum heat when activated. The warmer the pad is when it is activated, the longer it will stay hot. Helios-Pads will activate on their own if they are frozen. If this occurs, the pad must be recharged before use. To avoid this always store the pad where it will not freeze.

Storing

Always store Helios-Pad in its liquid state. If you leave the pad in its activated state for extended periods, water evaporates from the pad making it more concentrated. This higher concentration is indicated if in its liquid state there are white crystals in the pad. This evaporation can be reversed by immersing the pad in simmering water for extended periods and leaving it in the water to cool. This process may have to be repeated but will eventually return the pad to its original condition. The pad will continue to work even with the crystals in it but will form harder crystals. Preheating the pad before use will improve its performance.