space heater

[edteach]

I have two electric space heaters we use in winter to warm the bath or when sitting by the couch. We bought them 15 years ago and used them in our Travel Trailer. They both went out at the same time or very close. They arched in low and would not heat much on low but still worked on high. I took them apart and the wires were burnt and the insulation was coming off where it was burnt on the wire where it connects into the unit. They are not expensive 20 dollars units. Its not worth fixing but I wondered why they would go out?

 

[finn]

I would guess it’s the culminative effect of low level oxidation over time. Oxidation reduces cross section of the wire over time, which in turn increases resistance, which increases temperature, which “burns” the wire.

Basically, they wore out and failed.

At least there wasn’t an “uncontrolled thermal event” which burned your house down.

 

[SBMM]

Why? Cheap units. I have more expensive Delongi units I use in my garage for years. Only problem I had with one, it started leaking oil.... Ironic as I was fixing an oil leak on my wife's car when that happened. haha

 

[LeoW]

15 years ago. Impressively