Heater plug gets too hot.

[zendriver]

To take the chill out of the bathroom, at 230 am, I plug in the vintage toastmaster 907 heater, with fan,1320 watts.

After only a few minutes when done I'll unplug it and the plug is almost too hot to hold and 6-8" of cord is hot as well. Cord looks normal and I assume original. I'm assuming it was fine at one time since it appears to have the original cord.





Just for the hell of it, I plugged in a vintage Edison instant heat, also 1320 watts, also with fan let it run for about the same time and the similar plug/cord, was fine.



I'm guessing some resistance has built up but where to look, since both of theses heaters look fine and not rusty, etc. cords plugs seem all right.

Ideas to troubleshoot?




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[rlitman]

Sounds like the cord is shot. Know anyone with a thermal camera?

 

[dutchgray]

Replace cord and plug with new good quality ones, the problem is where it got hot.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Sounds like prongs on plug may be bad or tangs in outlet are loose?

Agree with above.

Replace cord and check again.

 

[ez-duzit]

Replace cord and plug with new good quality ones, the problem is where it got hot.

Just do it.

 

[Bert_]

It's possible the the strands in the cord are breaking in a spot that it flexes alot.

Another thing that's just as likely is the outlet in the wall is worn out (loose). I can't count the number of times I've seen people burn up multiple cord ends by continuing to use an very worn out outlet.

** Now I see that you mention another heater operates fine on the same outlet. In that case, yes the problem is almost certainly the plug on the heater. Usually the wire breaks right next to the plug where it flexes all the time. Either cut the cord back a few inches and install a new plug or replace the whole cord with one that has a nice molded plug . If you replace the whole cord make sure you get the appropriate "heater cord" in at least the same AWG as the original. That's what it's referred to as and it is rated for a higher temperature.

 

[6PTsocket]

I had to smile when I read your post. I went through the exact same thing with a similar heater. I replaced the cord and plug and it was OK for a while, but it got hot again at the plug. I cut off the plug and replaced it with a "valise" style plug that had wire clamps instead of having to wrap the wires around the screws, but it eventually got so hot it started to melt the plug and burn the wall receptacle. I replaced the wall receptacle in case the prongs were loose and replaced it with a commercial grade receptacle, made sure the terminals were tight, and it still got hot. It was driving me nuts. I took another crack at the plug and picked up a big fat, round "vacuum cleaner" replacement plug at HD. The strain relief clamp on the plug was too big for the flat 2 wire cord so a few layers of shrink tubing filled the space. It has been running cool for a year now. Even the prongs don't get hot If you do replace the whole cord be sure to use HPN cord. That is the high temp cord used for appliances that get hot like toasters, waffle irons, steam irons, space heaters, etc. I got mine at Ace, but they are not hard to find. I have no idea why the first replacement plug failed but it did. All of the other suggestions are quite possible and should be checked out, too. This problem really drove me nuts. For some reason molded on plugs and even a replacement plug seemed to go bad rather quickly. Good luck.

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[6PTsocket]

And I also checked for wire damage near the plug and cut back far enough.

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[yeldogt]

Best you toss that out -- they are so dangerous. Even the coiled elements are bad in IMO.

many of those don't have tip sensors.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

It's possible the the strands in the cord are breaking in a spot that it flexes alot.

Another thing that's just as likely is the outlet in the wall is worn out (loose). I can't count the number of times I've seen people burn up multiple cord ends by continuing to use an very worn out outlet.

** Now I see that you mention another heater operates fine on the same outlet. In that case, yes the problem is almost certainly the plug on the heater. Usually the wire breaks right next to the plug where it flexes all the time. Either cut the cord back a few inches and install a new plug or replace the whole cord with one that has a nice molded plug . If you replace the whole cord make sure you get the appropriate "heater cord" in at least the same AWG as the original. That's what it's referred to as and it is rated for a higher temperature.

Thats a good point.

Didnt think about the bends on the strands at the plug.

 

[Bert_]

Thats a good point.

Didnt think about the bends on the strands at the plug.

I thought of that pretty quick since I had that happen with my toaster about 6 months back. It wouldn't get hot since it doesn't run very long, but one morning it would only work if I wiggled the cord at the plug.
It took about 20 years of being plugged in every morning for it to finally break.
I should really just replace the whole cord but for now it just has a cheap replacement plug.

 

[larry4406]

I thought of that pretty quick since I had that happen with my toaster about 6 months back. It wouldn't get hot since it doesn't run very long, but one morning it would only work if I wiggled the cord at the plug.
It took about 20 years of being plugged in every morning for it to finally break.
I should really just replace the whole cord but for now it just has a cheap replacement plug.

That’s why you need to rotate your cords every so many kwhr

Good find

 

[Steveodle]

What's your place Worth?
A new oil radiator heater is my suggestion.

 

[Bert_]

What's your place Worth?
A new oil radiator heater is my suggestion.

That is probably one of the worst options out there. A heater like that wouldn't even get warm by the time he's done with it.

The type of heater he has is well suited for the situation. It heats up quick and takes off the chill for the whole 10 or 15 minutes it gets used each morning.

Personally I wouldn't recommend someone leave any kind of portable heater running unattended in their house. Because of the exact type of issue the OP is having. The OP is doing the right thing with a good little heater. Use it when he's in the room, unplug it when he's done. I see no problems other that a bad cord end.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Sounds like prongs on plug may be bad or tangs in outlet are loose?

Agree with above.

Replace cord and check again.

Or just buy a new heater,they aren't that expensive.

 

[zendriver]

These heaters put out way more heat than anything new and after brief use, we don't leave them even plugged in. Maybe that is how they were used in the past,so that might be why there is stress damage on the plug/cord.

Really, the cords/plugs are not much heavier than lamp cords, so maybe they were always a bit undersized.

The Edison plug gets slightly warm, probably not uncommon for any heater.

I have one of those "watts up" devices I have never used. Going to check and see usage.

Promise I'll be careful

 

[rlitman]

These heaters put out way more heat than anything new ...

Electric heaters put out exactly what their wattage states. New high wattage heaters are available.

 

[zendriver]

Electric heaters put out exactly what their wattage states. New high wattage heaters are available.

True.

I was thinking all new 120v heaters maxed at 1200 watts, which is not the case.