Hi all,

Okay, granted this is a $59 heater and not worth its weight in bubble
gum, but the darn thing quit working and it was easy to take apart. So...

I have isolated the part that has failed, however, I can't identify it
(other than as the overheat protector). I think it's some kind of
thermistor; it doesn't look like a fuse. I'm no electronics whiz -- it
could be damn near anything.

However, if I could replace this part, I'm certain I'd have a working
heater again (at least for maybe another month).

The number stamped on the part is: A56 50N3510 8A98 C

Web searches yielded zilch. There is no information to be found anywhere
on the heater, unsurprisingly.

Any information anyone could provide would be infinitely appreciated.
TIA!

Regards,

Does it look like a little silver bullet with axial leads and one end
is plugged with a white ceramic something?

If so, it IS a thermal fuse, designed to open the current when the
device gets too hot, usually 350F or something like that. It's a
one-shot affair, usually melted because the fan bound up and didn't
blow the heat out of the box or you covered the air intake. Whatever
overheated it needs to be corrected, obviously.

Of all places, RADIO SHACK has these thermal fuses in those new parts
drawers in what's left of the parts department. A buck or two....buy
two and have a spare you can't ever find again.

It's not a thermistor, it's just a soft metal element inside the
bullet that melts and opens the circuit, forever.



On Fri, 23 Jan 2004 02:30:28 GMT, "Jeffrey P. Vasquez"
wrote:

Hi all,

Okay, granted this is a $59 heater and not worth its weight in bubble
gum, but the darn thing quit working and it was easy to take apart. So...

I have isolated the part that has failed, however, I can't identify it
(other than as the overheat protector). I think it's some kind of
thermistor; it doesn't look like a fuse. I'm no electronics whiz -- it
could be damn near anything.

However, if I could replace this part, I'm certain I'd have a working
heater again (at least for maybe another month).

The number stamped on the part is: A56 50N3510 8A98 C

Web searches yielded zilch. There is no information to be found anywhere
on the heater, unsurprisingly.

Any information anyone could provide would be infinitely appreciated.
TIA!

Regards,

Larry W4CSC

Is it just me or did the US and UK just capture 1/3
of the world's sweetest oil supply? What idiot wants to
GIVE IT BACK?!!
Let's do what Europeans have been doing for centuries.
DIVIDE UP THE SPOILS OF OUR CONQUEST! Gas will be
$US0.50/US gallon again, STUPIDS!

Larry W4CSC wrote:
Does it look like a little silver bullet with axial leads and one end
is plugged with a white ceramic something?

No, it looks like a light aluminum housing seated on a plastic plug with
two leads coming out. The aluminum case is open on top and there a metal
plate floating around inside the open top. If depressed it's kind of like a
clicker, i.e. it's convex to the opening. Any idea?

Comments below:

"Jeffrey P. Vasquez" wrote in
message . 17...

Larry W4CSC wrote:
Does it look like a little silver bullet with axial leads and one end
is plugged with a white ceramic something?

No, it looks like a light aluminum housing seated on a plastic plug with
two leads coming out. The aluminum case is open on top and there a metal
plate floating around inside the open top. If depressed it's kind of like
a
clicker, i.e. it's convex to the opening. Any idea?

Sounds like a device known as a "klicks-on" thermal limit switch. Similar
items are used in larger electric duct heaters in building HVAC systems. If
all else fails take it to a HVAC wholesaler and see if they can get you
something similar. Or a larger HVAC repair shop and see if they have an old
one lying around. They have different temperature ratings and either reset
automatically as they cool or have a button to reset them manually. The
little disk is bi-metal and bends as temperature increases, eventually
snapping across and opening a switch inside.

Ken wrote:
Sounds like a device known as a "klicks-on" thermal limit switch.

Yup, it's a bimetallic snap switch. Thanks for your help!

-regards

Ken wrote:
Sounds like a device known as a "klicks-on" thermal limit switch.

Yup, it's a bimetallic snap switch. Thanks for your help!

-regards

On Fri, 23 Jan 2004 03:53:54 GMT, "Jeffrey P. Vasquez"
wrote:


Larry W4CSC wrote:
Does it look like a little silver bullet with axial leads and one end
is plugged with a white ceramic something?

No, it looks like a light aluminum housing seated on a plastic plug with
two leads coming out. The aluminum case is open on top and there a metal
plate floating around inside the open top. If depressed it's kind of like a
clicker, i.e. it's convex to the opening. Any idea?

Ok, this one has a bi-metal thermostat. The contacts are corroded
from the salt air. Just replace it....


Larry W4CSC

Is it just me or did the US and UK just capture 1/3
of the world's sweetest oil supply? What idiot wants to
GIVE IT BACK?!!
Let's do what Europeans have been doing for centuries.
DIVIDE UP THE SPOILS OF OUR CONQUEST! Gas will be
$US0.50/US gallon again, STUPIDS!

Comments below:

"Jeffrey P. Vasquez" wrote in
message . 17...

Larry W4CSC wrote:
Does it look like a little silver bullet with axial leads and one end
is plugged with a white ceramic something?

No, it looks like a light aluminum housing seated on a plastic plug with
two leads coming out. The aluminum case is open on top and there a metal
plate floating around inside the open top. If depressed it's kind of like
a
clicker, i.e. it's convex to the opening. Any idea?

Sounds like a device known as a "klicks-on" thermal limit switch. Similar
items are used in larger electric duct heaters in building HVAC systems. If
all else fails take it to a HVAC wholesaler and see if they can get you
something similar. Or a larger HVAC repair shop and see if they have an old
one lying around. They have different temperature ratings and either reset
automatically as they cool or have a button to reset them manually. The
little disk is bi-metal and bends as temperature increases, eventually
snapping across and opening a switch inside.

On Fri, 23 Jan 2004 03:53:54 GMT, "Jeffrey P. Vasquez"
wrote:


Larry W4CSC wrote:
Does it look like a little silver bullet with axial leads and one end
is plugged with a white ceramic something?

No, it looks like a light aluminum housing seated on a plastic plug with
two leads coming out. The aluminum case is open on top and there a metal
plate floating around inside the open top. If depressed it's kind of like a
clicker, i.e. it's convex to the opening. Any idea?

Ok, this one has a bi-metal thermostat. The contacts are corroded
from the salt air. Just replace it....


Larry W4CSC

Is it just me or did the US and UK just capture 1/3
of the world's sweetest oil supply? What idiot wants to
GIVE IT BACK?!!
Let's do what Europeans have been doing for centuries.
DIVIDE UP THE SPOILS OF OUR CONQUEST! Gas will be
$US0.50/US gallon again, STUPIDS!

On Fri, 23 Jan 2004 03:41:50 GMT, (Larry W4CSC) wrote:


Of all places, RADIO SHACK has these thermal fuses in those new parts
drawers in what's left of the parts department. A buck or two....buy
two and have a spare you can't ever find again.

What the hell has happened to Radio Shack, anyway? Half the time I
can't find spade connectors and dipole antennas...I end up going to a
surplus place with filthy metal shelves and plenty of attitude...and a
highly skilled staff I wouldn't trade for the world.

Now, if I want a crappy boom box and a strip of AA batts, the Shack is
convenient. But it's a pale shadow of the place I half-lived in as a
teenager. The more I sail, the more I hate the throwaway society I was
raised in and the more I prefer to fix stuff myself...but a man needs
parts and does not live by solder alone!

Rant over, good night.

R.