Question

Topic: Strategy

Low Voltage Heater - Brainstorming

Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 6/27/2011 at 3:18 PM ET 2500 Points
This is related to the same client that I asked the 2500 point question about solar power channels (and likely one that I will be asking more questions about).

I would like to brainstorm ideas about potential markets for the products. Love to hear any thoughts MPers have on what would be potential markets.

The product is a heating cable. The inventor of it was part of the development team a what is now part of a Fortune 500 that sells similar cables (but theirs are line voltage - 120-240 volts). The inventor has come out with lower voltage versions (12-24 volts). The cable is meant to keep something warm, not heat so hot as to make water boil or cook something. Common applications for the high voltage company are keeping pipes from freezing, melting snow when installed in concrete paths or driveways, radiant floor heating when mounted in the floor of a home, and the like. The low voltage version my client has has similar thermal properties, so could do these same types of applications.

Low voltage version vs high voltage:
Benefits: safer than higher voltage (much of it is perceived safety, but there are some real safety benefits) and it is smaller in size/diameter, so can fit into smaller areas and also bends easier to conform to shapes (so along with use in cable form, can be mounted into pads or other areas for different applications).
Weakness: can't go as long a run than with the higher voltages.

These heaters versus general heaters:
Benefits: these heaters have a technology built in that makes them more energy efficient and they are easier to adjust the length of (inexpensive heaters almost always come in fixed lengths).
Weakness: price

There are not patent infringement or any other known issues preventing my client from going into any market, but he is also smart enough to know that he doesn't want to take the high voltage company on head to head. So we are looking at markets where we can find a niche where people benefit from this lower voltage cable.

Any thoughts?
To continue reading this question and the solution, sign up ... it's free!
SUBSCRIBE
Or, SIGN IN

RESPONSES

  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 6/27/2011 at 3:25 PM Accepted
    A few ideas to get the conversation flowing:
    Avoiding ice dams on roofs.
    Warming micro-homes (https://www.buildinghomegarden.com/micro-homes.html)
    If wiring can be waterproofed - for sail/powerboat warming.
    For first responder situations - for keeping patients warm (either directly through warming pad or heating a tent).
  • Posted by wnelson on 6/27/2011 at 3:49 PM Accepted
    Decorative pond heaters for ponds in northern climates. The fish are ok in there through te winter, but if the pond freezes over, ammonia builds and if frozen over long enough, the fish get poisoned. Just needs to make a little hole to allow are in. There's a product today, but I believe it's 120V AC, not LV.
  • Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 6/27/2011 at 3:55 PM Author
    Never knew that about ammonia build up and ponds.

    Keep the ideas coming.
  • Posted by telemoxie on 6/27/2011 at 4:08 PM Accepted
    Marine/RV/Auto/Truck heating
  • Posted by Frank Hurtte on 6/27/2011 at 11:33 PM Member
    I work with a number of electrical distributors and have extensive background in finding markets for this type of product. Contact me via my profile. I can help but prefer to do so off line.
  • Posted by BizConsult on 6/28/2011 at 1:11 PM Accepted
    I''m sure there are already some products like those I''m about to mention, but perhaps your product offering is a better alternative technology or offers new solutions / benefits - in any case, they are potential markets:
    Heating pads/blankets for beds, etc.
    Steering wheel wraps and seat heaters for cold-weather driving
    Plant /greenhouse /nursery temperature control
    Kitchen and/or table-top food and drink warmers
    Egg incubators (farms)
    Pet cages (i.e., reptiles, fish)
    Swimming pools

    Steve
  • Posted by BizConsult on 6/28/2011 at 1:15 PM Member
    Idea: Can you also offer heating cables with power levels in-between the 12-24 and 120-240 volt ranges? I'm sure that would provide even more applications and marketing opportunities!

    Best of luck.
BACK TO TOP

Post a Comment

Related Discussions

Community Info

Top 25 Experts
(Strategy)