Combination storage heater problem

[The_Kurgan]

Hi, I'm after some advice/explanation of what might be wrong with my Heatstore HSXC 24N combination storage heater and how I might be able to fix it. I have no electrical training, I can re-wire a plug but that's about it. I think my heater died about a week ago when I had a series of short power cuts.

I spoke to Heatstore and told them that the boost is working but the Economy 7 side of it isn't working. They sent me instructions on how to reset the thermostat but it didn't fix it.

They then said it's most likely to be the input thermostat as there's 4 elements in the heater and it's not likely that they'll have all died at the same time. I replaced the thermostat but it's still not working. I changed the thermostat last night, (26/01/10), and set it to come on this afternoon but it's still not chucking out any heat.

I've also changed the 13 amp fuse in the wall socket but that's not made a difference.

Any advice on how I can fix it or any explanation as to what might be the problem would be appreciated!

Cheers

 

[Sintra]

Hi, I'm after some advice/explanation of what might be wrong with my Heatstore HSXC 24N combination storage heater and how I might be able to fix it. I have no electrical training, I can re-wire a plug but that's about it. I think my heater died about a week ago when I had a series of short power cuts.

I spoke to Heatstore and told them that the boost is working but the Economy 7 side of it isn't working. They sent me instructions on how to reset the thermostat but it didn't fix it.

They then said it's most likely to be the input thermostat as there's 4 elements in the heater and it's not likely that they'll have all died at the same time. I replaced the thermostat but it's still not working. I changed the thermostat last night, (26/01/10), and set it to come on this afternoon but it's still not chucking out any heat.

I've also changed the 13 amp fuse in the wall socket but that's not made a difference.

Any advice on how I can fix it or any explanation as to what might be the problem would be appreciated!

Cheers

Looking at the wiring diagram it might just be the thermostatic cut out needs reset.

Or it could be that the heater is not getting an off peak supply. Check your fuses or circuit breakers in your economy 7 consumer unit.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

If you know someone with a multimeter and a basic electrical knowledge ask them to test the resistance between live and neutral..(brown and blue) on the off peak flex going to the heater.Do this at the wall switch with the switch off. If the heater is ok you will get a resistace somewhere between 15 and 20 ohms.If so the problem is on the supply side ,ie no power reaching the heater.If you get open circuit the problem is on the heater. You can then use the multimeter to test the overheat cutout and charge thermostat,with the probes across the terminals of the overheat cutout you should get zero ohms,same on the charge thermostat. Also visually check all connections...they often break/burn off a terminal. Randomly changing components on a 'it might be that' basis is a waste of time and money in the long run.

 

[The_Kurgan]

Is part of what you said a 'continuity test'? Heatstore suggested I get one of those tests done on the thermostat.

I had wondered if it could be a power problem. The fuse switch at the wall is a bit iffy, it's really easy to turn it off but you have to use a fair bit of force to turn it on. Sound suspect? Could it be something so simple? Only thing is the heater was on already when it died.

I'm so broke I just want it to be something simple and cheap. Those tests you suggested like what I should be doing but they make me nervous, they sound like the kinda tests that finds expensive faults?!

 

[acat]

It might be an expensive fault but then again it could be something simple and cheap what you have to take into account is how much you have spent already and not cured the problem as mentioned above this is a waste of money, you could end up buying a new heater and still not solve the problem if the switch is faulty.

It will be better to get an electrician in and identify the fault. I had similar yesterday with a water heater, when I opened it found supply going in but not coming out pressed the internal reset button had a nice cup of tea problem solved no items bought.


Chris

 

[Deleted member 9648]

I'm so broke I just want it to be something simple and cheap. Those tests you suggested like what I should be doing but they make me nervous, they sound like the kinda tests that finds expensive faults?!

The tests I described are designed to identify the fault....simple or otherwise....you need to identify the problem before fixing it. Most storage heater faults either on the heater or supply are unlikely to be anything complicated or too expensive,but there are a lot of things that could be the cause and you are going to waste your time and money randomly changing components until you get to the problem.
Having said that the switch adjacent to the heaters do break down as they are constantly loaded,specially if i'ts a chaep switch.As yours sounds dodgy it would be worth replacing anyway....fingers crossed!

 

[The_Kurgan]

Because the fuse switch faceplate was so dodgy I replaced it today with one that has a little LED on it. The light isn't coming on, does that mean there's a problem with power getting to the heater?

Got an guy coming tomorrow to do some tests but would like to have an idea of what's going on before he arrives so I can understand what he's saying.

 

[Sintra]

Because the fuse switch faceplate was so dodgy I replaced it today with one that has a little LED on it. The light isn't coming on, does that mean there's a problem with power getting to the heater?

Got an guy coming tomorrow to do some tests but would like to have an idea of what's going on before he arrives so I can understand what he's saying.

The light will only come on at the switch when the economy 7 kicks in.