Circular heater
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- Minor Legend
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Re: Circular heater
Well it appears that it’s the switch that’s gone and not the motor.
Looking at the switch, it’s virtually black inside and full of fluff. I tested it with a bulb and battery and it smelt hot to say the least.
So in the bin with that one.
Anyone know what the type of switch is and from where I can source one?
I assume it’s just a variable resistor switch, but not 100% sure
Looking at the switch, it’s virtually black inside and full of fluff. I tested it with a bulb and battery and it smelt hot to say the least.
So in the bin with that one.
Anyone know what the type of switch is and from where I can source one?
I assume it’s just a variable resistor switch, but not 100% sure
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- Minor Legend
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Re: Circular heater
The switch is called a Rheostat and they all appear to be around the £37 to £50 mark.
Try these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEATER-FAN-R ... SwiSZdLZqH
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RHEOSTAT-SWI ... SwF5tbbblQ
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-S ... SwUP5b509F
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-LUCA ... SwlEJc~VaQ
Best wishes,
Mike.
Try these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEATER-FAN-R ... SwiSZdLZqH
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RHEOSTAT-SWI ... SwF5tbbblQ
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-S ... SwUP5b509F
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-LUCA ... SwlEJc~VaQ
Best wishes,
Mike.
1954 Series 2: 4 door: "Sally" -- Back on the ground with (slave) wheels and waiting to be resprayed......
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
1970 Triumph Herald 1200: "Hetty" -- Driven back from Llangollen in Wales (twice.....)
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- Minor Maniac
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Re: Circular heater
At that price I would just fit a pull on/off switch. The fan hardly does anything even when on maximum setting, so the rheostat is really not needed. Might be worth taking the old one apart before you bin it though.
- geoberni
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Re: Circular heater
A 1940/50s technology rheostat (older than that probably) is quite basic and you've probably got a good chance of repairing it.cadetchris wrote: ↑Thu Sep 19, 2019 3:34 pm
Looking at the switch, it’s virtually black inside and full of fluff. I tested it with a bulb and battery and it smelt hot to say the least.
Is it open case? i.e. can you see the winding around the (probably ceramic) former?
Can you see a break in the winding?
However...
Did your bulb light?
If it 'smelt hot' then it's not open circuit, it can only 'smell hot' if it is actually allowing current to flow which is heating up the fluff and dust in it.
If current is flowing, then it may just not be enough current for the motor to start running; the winding surfacemight just need cleaning.
A good photo or three of what you have got would help considerably.
I don't suppose you've got a multimeter? If you haven't probably a good idea to get one; they start from about £6 on Fleabay.
Basil the 1955 series II
- geoberni
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Re: Circular heater
I can't vouch for the Smiths one, but my Tudor is a darn sight more use than your description....
Basil the 1955 series II
- geoberni
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Re: Circular heater
There's a heater currently listed on ebay:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-SMIT ... Sw6ZFdfnBA
From looking at the images with that listing, it looks to me as though the rheostat would easily come apart for cleaning. In fact the listing for this item actually states
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-SMIT ... Sw6ZFdfnBA
From looking at the images with that listing, it looks to me as though the rheostat would easily come apart for cleaning. In fact the listing for this item actually states
So I would seriously refer you back to my earlier post about cleaning it.The original rheostat has been checked and cleaned and it turns smoothly with the original speed control knob.
Basil the 1955 series II
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- Minor Legend
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Re: Circular heater
I’ll open the switch tomorrow and have a good look and a clean out.
Having looked at replacements, it seems financially worth my while to repair it.
Having looked at replacements, it seems financially worth my while to repair it.
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- Minor Legend
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Re: Circular heater
Right, switch has been opened and cleaned out thoroughly and works like a charm.
One slight concern though, is it meant to get hot or at least warm to the touch? The switch that is, the heater is expected to get warm.
One slight concern though, is it meant to get hot or at least warm to the touch? The switch that is, the heater is expected to get warm.
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- Minor Legend
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Re: Circular heater
Assuming you have hot water flowing through the heater, and hot air blowing out from it, the switch is bound to get at least warm.....
- geoberni
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Re: Circular heater
if the blower is working now, then I would hazard a guess that what you are feeling is the effect of the resistor (rheostat) taking some of the energy... It's normal to get warm in use.
Think of the circuit as being 12v going to the heater rheostat, then the blower motor, to return to the battery to complete the circuit.
You are controlling the speed of the motor by sharing the energy in the circuit between the motor and the rheostat.
if you take more of the energy in the rheostat, it's going to dissipate it by getting warm; I'm guessing the rheostat has a ventilated casing?
Think of the circuit as being 12v going to the heater rheostat, then the blower motor, to return to the battery to complete the circuit.
You are controlling the speed of the motor by sharing the energy in the circuit between the motor and the rheostat.
if you take more of the energy in the rheostat, it's going to dissipate it by getting warm; I'm guessing the rheostat has a ventilated casing?
Basil the 1955 series II