Because......
It makes sense to have the blanket powered by the sun. It is a large flat surface, perfect for collecting solar energy.
During the day, while you're hiking, lay it out and it will charge up. Then, at night when it's cold, you can turn it on and use the energy captured during the day.-- DesertFox, Aug 16 2004 Thermo-Pad: http://thermo-pad.com/products.htmThis thing crystalizes and heats on command. Boil to liquify and then cool to room temerature, so it's always ready for use. [Amos Kito, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004] //During the day, while you're hiking, lay it out and it will charge up.//
? So, you are only hiking in a circle? If I lay the blanket out and then stop for the night to camp, aren't I going to have to circle around and go back to the starting point?
Also, weight is a factor when I hike. I can imagine that the weight of a blanket full of solar cells would decrease the amount of water and food that I could also carry.-- Klaatu, Aug 16 2004 I was thinking of the type of camping where you lay out your camp, go hiking, and come back for the night.-- DesertFox, Aug 16 2004 //I was thinking of the type of camping where you lay out your camp, go hiking, and come back for the night.//
So, why not just bring a generator and plug in your electric blanket? Or, better yet, why not just drive your motor home and run the electric blanket off the generator?
And, be sure not to camp in the Pacific Northwest with your electric blanket. It rains every day here and the mix of electricity and rainwater could be a shocking experience.-- Klaatu, Aug 16 2004 random, halfbakery