Storage heaters

[Mfctitch]

Morning everyone (just)
I have been looking at a Dimplex storage heater with boost control.
The heater works on boost but not under normal conditions Ie at night.
We know that there is power getting to the heater. But no heat comes from it.
I have taken the storage heater apart and tested all four of the elements and got the following reading.
80 ohms
80 ohms
74 ohms
81 ohms
Before I order 4 new elements can anyone tell me if by my reading the elements are faulty or is there another problem.

While on the subject can anyone advise how to test the feed to a storage heater without asking the customer if the neon light comes on at night.

Thanks for any replies.

 

[Deleted member 19807]

they sound ok,
you could put a temp bridge in from the non timed cu to the timed one,

I suspect the control unit has gone faulty, you could do some basic continuity testing of the circuits, they are very simple


or you could get some flex put a plug on one end and connect the other to the storage heater, you can then see whats going on.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I would first consider swopping over the feeds to test, whether the control unit is working.
I'm not familiar with the specific model, but it sounds that either there is no supply getting through from the overnight tarrif, or that a thermostat has gone down.
I would imagine that there could be two thermostats, one for the overnight tarif, and one for the boost.

 

[Mfctitch]

Thanks for reply
So if I understand you are saying that I don't need new elements ?

 

[poppypiesdad]

have you reset the trip thats built in, its either a round disk that needs inverting or a small micro switch looking cut out that needs resetting

give that a try first before buying anything , they are usually located top right of the heater , next to the controlls

Jamie

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Thanks for reply
So if I understand you are saying that I don't need new elements ?

The elements work on boost.
Which would suggest to me that they are working.

 

[Guest123]

Use ohms law now with your R readings to see if it calculates.

They sound about right for 600 - 800W elements.

 

[Mfctitch]

Sorry for confusion but no the elements do not work on boost.
There are separate elements that work on the boost control.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Sorry for confusion but no the elements do not work on boost.
There are separate elements that work on the boost control.

Are they interchangable?
Although the readings you have provided, indicate that they are fine.
I would still first consider providing power to the off peak side, by swopping over the boost and the off peak supply feeds, before purchasing any parts.
As I said, I am not familiar with the specific model, so what I am suggesting is a general method of fault finding.
First verify the supply, then check at each point that power is flowing.

 

[Deleted member 19807]

how many heaters are there?
how many are not working?
did they all stop at the same time?

 

[oldtimer]

Boost control ? Do you mean a storage heater with a day heater ie twin control ie one off peak supply to the elements within the bricks and one 24 hour supply for the convector heater side of the unit you will find these in the lounge or livingroom as they say also your element look fine as they all seem to read the same the most popular culprit is the control/high limit module it could be faulty and the high limit could be tripped remember to always ask the owner if they put clothes for drying on the heater this is common in the winter but the unit can trip on high temp if its airflow is blocked best thing to do is set your multimeter to ohms switch off the heater at the wall open it up look at the bottom for the mains flex entering the heater measure the resistance if open circuit then go to controls and turn it up to 5 or max then check if the high limit has tripped if so reset it you will hear a click then measure again if you get 18-20 ohms put it all back together and leave it on overnight if still cold in the morning then change the control module

 

[Mfctitch]

Morning Everyone
Sorry for taking so long to get back on here had a bout of man flu.
I'm not sure if this will get to everyone who has replied to my cry's for help but I'm sure someone will let me know if not and how to get say thank you next time.
Now for the update.
after following all advice rechecked fuse's, check wiring, ran a temporary supply and found that everything on the heater was working fine. There was only one thing left to check which I believe all of you would have checked first and that was the fused switch. And yes it was the switch all along that was faulty. So what should have been a short job turned out to a long and for me expensive exercise, as I could not charge the customer for my incompetence. But as they say you live and learn.
So once again thank to everyone for their help.