Tank Heater
 

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

Unless you always use a gfci inline with the heater or some such it is
never safe to take apart a submersible heater and put it back together
and use it in water, to my knowledge. It would be much safer to buy a
new one. Heaters have a life span like light bulbs (thermal changes
occurring during on/off cycles cause the heating elements to expand and
contract causing the colder part(s) of the elements (filaments) to pull
away from the hotter part(s) of the elements (and vice versa) and a
separation occurs which permanently prevents the heater from working)
which is why people who waste a functioning heater's use because there
is a little bit of diffused or osmosis water in the heater buy a new
one when that one would last years longer even though there is some
water in it, kind of have me confused - in other words - use your
heater but at the same time play it safe. In the case that there is
some water in the heater don't worry as the rubber seal will prevent
electrocution/shock even if there is some water inside but use a gfci
just to be sure about your safety and use the heater until it dies. I
see no acceptable way to revive a heater that does have a sticking or
not working switch as it could get stuck again super easily unless you
have spare parts and even then the rubber seal might not be put back in
right by you. Good luck but I would just buy a new heater if your
switch isn't working properly as it wouldn't be reliable enough for
most people even if you were able to do a hobbyist grade repair. Later!