Does anyone know the difference between the above, I've heard a lot of good things about IR heaters, some that you see are badged as halogen/IR.

Are all these Halogen heaters Infra red? If not how do you tell the difference.

I quite fancy an Infra red as it could be used for paint curing as well, could anyone recommend a good (cheap!) IR heater

Thanks

Both heat their surroudings via IR emissions.

Halogen heaters will emite alot of light also. IR heats will tend to be alot duller, but emite more IR.

Essentially the same things.

I've used an oscillating 4 bar IR heater to paint curing, works great as it only heats objects not the air.. I think it only cost £9.99

Very nice to stand infront of, warms your clothes up nice in a cold workshop.

[Edited on 5-1-08 by takumi]

Have a look on ebay for patio heaters. I am going to get a couple of 2kW versions for curing powder coat when i get an Electrostatic kit.

I was looking at these anyway - should get one for around £20 plus postage.

IR patio heater

Both emit IR but halogens mainly warm the air, whereas IR warms people from inside their bodies.
IR feel warmer if you are in front of them, but the room quickly feels cooler if you move away. (similar to microwave but not as dangerous!)
I hope that makes sense.

[Edited on 5/1/2008 by nitram38]

IR does not heat your body from the inside. All radiating sources of heat, wether it's a log fire or a halogen heater, heat you using IR.
The best are black body radiators. These heat you directly and not the volume that you are working in, so cost less to run, as they done waste energy heating the surroundings.

Domestic microwave heaters heat water. They heat the water in the cells in meat, but only to a depth of about 6mm. The rest of the cooking is done via conduction into the interior of the meat.
Stepping in front of a radar dish will heat you soooo much quicker. Definately NOT recommended.

[Edited on 5/1/08 by Confused but excited.]

What I am trying to say is that IR heats your body rather than the surrounding air, whereas halogens are designed to heat the air as well.

Halogen describes the type of lamp used in most IR heaters. All are radiant in action and heat bodies not air. The halogen cycle is the same as that used in any halogen lamp, headlight or domestic spotlight.

Caber

There are ceramic IR heaters that are different to halogen types link
These can provide different wave lengths for different uses.

[Edited on 5/1/2008 by nitram38]

Thanks for the reply's guys, so to sum up - in laymans terms:-

Both work on the same principal,

Halogen- More light less heat- less efficient

IR Less light more heat, more efficient

Is it also fair to say that a true IR would be branded as such and therefore the Halogen ones are not True IR

Paul tigerB6

I also have the electostatic magic kit and this was intened as part of the use for the heater.

I must be honest, i prefer soething that I can either see working or try and then return if unsatisfactory.

Thanks

quote:

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Originally posted by fatfranky
Is it also fair to say that a true IR would be branded as such and therefore the Halogen ones are not True IR

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