Tank Heater

[bassett]

I have a Tank heater which has a sticking thermometer cut-out, It does not
connect when the water temperature drops, But if I tap the thing the
thermostat clicks in. It does disconnect OK.
Has anyone taken one of these units apart, It looks like the Rubber outer
case , with the control on the top is moulded to the inner plug.
If I remove the temperature adjusting switch does the outer case pull off.
Has anyone been successful, in stripping down a heater, and assembling it
again, in a water proof working state.
Or is it quicker to throw it away, and buy another one.
bassett

[Paul A. Ergh]

If there is one thing I wouldn't mess with it is probably the heater.
Unless you have a really fancy titanium one or substrate heating cables they
are pretty cheap. IMO, unless you are using several heaters that are all
low wattage the risk is too great.

BTW, what are you going to use to heat the tank while you are fixing this
one? If your fixing projects go like mine it may be a while before you get
it back together. Do you have multiple heaters in the tank?

--Paul

"bassett" > wrote in message
...
>I have a Tank heater which has a sticking thermometer cut-out, It does not
> connect when the water temperature drops, But if I tap the thing the
> thermostat clicks in. It does disconnect OK.
> Has anyone taken one of these units apart, It looks like the Rubber outer
> case , with the control on the top is moulded to the inner plug.
> If I remove the temperature adjusting switch does the outer case pull off.
> Has anyone been successful, in stripping down a heater, and assembling it
> again, in a water proof working state.
> Or is it quicker to throw it away, and buy another one.
> bassett
>

[bassett]

I take your point, Thanks
Might be an idea to just get another Heater, and then try a repair of the
old one..
The dodgy one is in a 3ft tank and is the only form of heating
bassett

[George Pontis]

In article >, says...
> I have a Tank heater which has a sticking thermometer cut-out, It does not
> connect when the water temperature drops, But if I tap the thing the
> thermostat clicks in. It does disconnect OK.
> Has anyone taken one of these units apart, It looks like the Rubber outer
> case , with the control on the top is moulded to the inner plug.
> If I remove the temperature adjusting switch does the outer case pull off.
> Has anyone been successful, in stripping down a heater, and assembling it
> again, in a water proof working state.
> Or is it quicker to throw it away, and buy another one.
> bassett
>

I was able to get a Hagen Thermal Compact apart with some difficulty, and worry
about breaking the glass. The hardest part was to separate the plastic top pieces
that clamped around the flared rim on the glass. The actual seal was a ridged
rubber plug with some silicone grease on it. I think that you can clean and
regrease the seal and expect it to be waterproof again. At least it worked for me.
In my case I just wanted a heater and I soldered a wire across the contacts. I
used a few times and then threw it away.

As far as repairing the contacts, I would say that it is not worth trying. They
are probably pitted, which would require that you file down to a smooth surface
again. They may also be plated, in which case you cannot restore the original
contact finish and the repair will not last.

The new electronic heaters seem to be proving themselves to reliable and accurate
too. The Hagen Tronic seems very reasonably priced at under $20, probably less on
eBay. Many positive reports on the Won Brothers heaters with titanium tubes, at
somewhat higher cost.

George

[bassett]

Thanks for the info, george
bassett.


"George Pontis" > wrote in message >
> I was able to get a Hagen Thermal Compact apart with some difficulty, and
> worry
> about breaking the glass. The hardest part was to separate the plastic top
> pieces
> that clamped around the flared rim on the glass. The actual seal was a
> ridged
> rubber plug with some silicone grease on it. I think that you can clean
> and
> regrease the seal and expect it to be waterproof again. At least it worked
> for me.
> In my case I just wanted a heater and I soldered a wire across the
> contacts. I
> used a few times and then threw it away.
>
> As far as repairing the contacts, I would say that it is not worth trying.
> They
> are probably pitted, which would require that you file down to a smooth
> surface
> again. They may also be plated, in which case you cannot restore the
> original
> contact finish and the repair will not last.
>
> The new electronic heaters seem to be proving themselves to reliable and
> accurate
> too. The Hagen Tronic seems very reasonably priced at under $20, probably
> less on
> eBay. Many positive reports on the Won Brothers heaters with titanium
> tubes, at
> somewhat higher cost.
>
> George