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From: tarsa@decvax.UUCP (Greg Tarsa)
Newsgroups: net.misc
Subject: Waterbeds and temperature
Message-ID: <345@decvax.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 16-Jan-84 09:22:51 EST
Article-I.D.: decvax.345
Posted: Mon Jan 16 09:22:51 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 17-Jan-84 02:04:01 EST
Organization: DEC UNIX Engineering Group
Lines: 42

I'm forwarding this for David Chesler since he does not have access to
inews.

From genrad!wjh12!unixvax:chesler_2 Sun Jan 15 06:08:31 1984
Status: R

  I used a mattress-pad on my waterbed.  (A letter I wrote to someone else
explained why I don't use mine now.)  Without some sort of padding it
feels awefully clammy (but I have slept on the bare vinyl, in just my
briefs, on at least one ocassion, and survived.)  In the summer I turn
off the heater, and I find an 80 degree bed sucks just the right amount
of heat away that I can sleep comfortably.  In the winter I keep the
bed warm.  If it is too hot I can't get up, but if it is warm it is like
an electric blanket, but better, especially in a cold room.

  I don't pay for electricity, but I think a waterbed heater is on the
range of 200w, a larger lightbulb, or a miniscule space heater.  Even
if on continuously I think this is less than $100/yr absolute maximum
[redundant stress because of all the liberal figures I've used in
the estimate].  The heater won't be on, a comforter over the bed will
hold much of the heat in.  It must be more economical to heat the
bed than the whole room or house.  Water holds a lot of heat, but once
it is warmed up it doesn't need much input.

In case this is posted:

   Advise: It is easier to heat a bed than cool it.  Fill with water, let
it warm to room temperature, then raise the heater and increase setting
slowly (one bit a night) until the temperature is right.

   Query: Someone warned against gel filled beds.  I assume gel equals
very flexible solid.  Has anyone done anything with very viscous fluids?
(EG SAE 90 grease, vaseline, etc [Would it have to not lose its viscousity
at high temperatures? :-)].  I got used to the waves, but when I had guests
they did not like them, and neither of us liked the non-resistance water
offers.  I would like to hear more about soft-sides and the beds which
are a standard mattress with a water-filled cavity, as the wooden sides
were my worst drawback.

			David Chesler
			{allegra,decvax}\!wjh12\!u:chesler