Capliner / topliner
The capliner, also known as a topliner, is an equipment component for waterbeds that comes in different shapes. Functionally, the capliner or topliner serves as additional mattress protection against dust and dirt. This is why the capliner / topliner is also referred to as a dirt particle membrane. What all capliners have in common is a dust-proof design, which, however, usually also restricts breathability, which is why the use of a capliner is seen as very controversial.
There are capliners firmly integrated into the top plate of the waterbed, although these are hardly recommended, as proper cleaning is then hardly possible. Capliners that are designed to be removable using a zipper are better. If necessary, they can be separated from the top plate, which allows separate deep cleaning.
There are also offers for capliners or topliners, which are completely independent of the top plate. This is a kind of fitted sheet or a kind of mattress pad, which is pulled or stretched over the water mattress before the top plate is opened.
Waterbed heating
Lying on cold water – apart from very hot summer nights – is poison for the body and muscles. For this reason, water beds are heated. In the following we will give you an answer to the question: “How is a water bed heated?”
There are different heaters or heating systems for water beds. The heating mat is one of the oldest waterbed heating systems. This is a rubber mat into which a heating wire is cast in a loop. When current is passed through the heating wire, its conductive resistance causes heat to be generated. This heat is then passed on to the water mattress or the water. A very simple principle that has been tried and tested for decades.
The disadvantage of the heating mat for waterbeds is that a relatively large electromagnetic field is created due to the design. Electromagnetic fields are always present when a wire is wrapped around a core or laid next to one another in a loop and then supplied with electricity.
The carbon heating is another form of the waterbed heater. In terms of appearance, this heating system is very similar to the heating mat. Inside the carbon heater, however, there are no wires but a film that is provided with a coating of carbon (carbon in pressed form). The heat is generated here by the conductive resistance of the carbon. The electromagnetic radiation is relatively low here. Another advantage of this heater for waterbeds is its enormous resistance. Even if you cut a hole in the carbon heater, its functionality would not be impaired, since damage does not interrupt the flow of current due to the full-surface carbon coating on the film.
In addition to the classic heating mat and the more modern carbon heater, plate heaters are also offered for water beds. These consist of an aluminum plate, which is equipped with ceramic heating elements. The heat is generated by the conductive resistance of the ceramic. It is transferred to the aluminum plate and from there on to the water mattress. Plate heaters for waterbeds are provided with a plastic jacket, which gives them a high level of robustness.
There is no general answer to the question of the best waterbed heater. All of the waterbed heating systems presented are offered on the market by various manufacturers. They are available with both analog and digital control systems. If you want to operate your waterbed with mains isolation, you should choose a digitally controlled heater for your bed that can “independently” adapt to it.
You will certainly also be concerned about the electricity consumption of the heating system. This is the question we devote ourselves to under maintenance costs for a waterbed?. If you want to find out more about the correct temperature setting, see What temperature in the waterbed? Additional information.
Now that we have dealt with the various heating systems for waterbeds, the question still arises as to where the heating for the waterbed goes. So where should the waterbed heating be placed so that the lying system can be operated safely and optimally. The answer is the same regardless of the type of waterbed: The heater for the waterbed is placed under the safety film or safety tub and on the base plate or the thermal floor.
