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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 23, 2017 - 07:30am PT
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I have a small portable heater that is powered by ac.
I plugged it in yesterday, and after running for a 1/2 hour or so, the power wire was real warm. Unplugged it, and the prongs on the plug were too hot to touch. It was on my boat, so wondering if the plug socket couldn't just handle it?
I'm inclined to believe the heater is broken, and I should just throw it away.
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Jan 23, 2017 - 07:36am PT
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Dang Zip, why did you buy such a POS heater? Or have such a POS socket? Or.....
I am sure you will get your answer, but in the meanwhile, don't use the heater.
Oh, and since my Multimeter thread got deleted in the "A%^*))#@GGGHHHH!!! Can't STAND NON-CLIMBING threads" upset - I discovered the cause of the noise.
The radio antennae was slightly loose at the connection to the body of the van. Tightened it up and that POS van hasn't made the sound since.
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Scrubber
climber
Straight outta Squampton
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Jan 23, 2017 - 07:37am PT
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To my limited electrical experience, it sounds like the heater is drawing more amps than the wiring is able to supply without overheating. If the heater itself is rated under 15 amps (check the label on it), then that shouldn't be happening on a "standard" 15 amp circuit in your home or boat.
I'd take the heater and plug it in somewhere else (work / etc) and see if you get the same result. If so, I'd question the heater. If not, I'd be looking towards the wiring in your boat to see if it is undersized for the load you're putting on it, or damaged.
Check your circuit breakers/ fuses too. Make sure you don't have one on that circuit that is rated for higher amps than the wiring can handle.
my 2Ē
K
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fear
Ice climber
hartford, ct
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Jan 23, 2017 - 07:40am PT
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Sounds like the heater is likely drawing too many amps for the cord/plug to handle. You could easily check that with a multimeter... the clamp-types are the easiest to measure amps/current with.
If you're really industrious you could rewire the unit with a heavier cord. But God only knows what other things they might have undersized in it.
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Jan 23, 2017 - 08:19am PT
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It's also possible there is corrosion in the outlet, which would be more likely on a boat. I would say the heater itself is less likely to be the problem, but certainly possible. The cord should be rated such that a fuse either in the heater or in your electrical panel will blow long before it becomes warm.
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JimT
climber
Munich
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Jan 23, 2017 - 10:47am PT
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Most plug systems are designed for a maximum service temperature of 70°C, thatīs hot if you touch it.
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 23, 2017 - 10:54am PT
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Terrie, touche. You are funny.
Wiring on boat is good. No corrosion.
Gonna bring the heater home and try it there.
thanks.
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Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
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Jan 23, 2017 - 11:15am PT
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Those heaters are rated for 1500 watts max, which will be around 10 amps, well within the limits of a standard outlet. As noted above corrosion could be a factor. Could also be a loose connection, does the plug slide into the outlet easily? there should be some resistance as you push it in. Quick fix could be to spread the prongs a little. Better solution is to replace the plug with something more substantial.
I use one of those electric heaters on my boat because I am not paying for power! A better heater is the Mr Heater portable propane heaters. However you need to provide some ventilation as they eat up the oxygen.
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chainsaw
Trad climber
CA
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Jan 23, 2017 - 02:12pm PT
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It is unlikely that the heater is at fault. Boats are poorly grounded. Although the return line for a 12v inverter device connects to your battery at some point, a deep cycle battery is not rated to run a heater like that for long. If you are using an inverter, chances are that the inverter produces a dirty signal as well. You may have to install more batteries and buy a better inverter. While a 2500watt inverter may be "rated" to handle that load, in practice it wont. You may need to ramp up to a 4500 watt inverter to run your heater if you want continuous duty. Although theoretically, your electrical system is designed to handle alot of power, in practice, any system that uses 12v power and an inverter will perform differently depending on circumstances. Check the ground terminal on your battery. It may simply have a fault due to corrosion or mechanical failure. When it faults, high energy spikes will flow through the system and fry the inverter. Inspect the connections on the inverter also. And replace the "mag" on your outdrive as well. Magnesium anodes in the water donate electrons and prevent corrosion of electrical parts on your boat. Essentially, the Magnesium anode rusts so that other componants dont. Good luck with your boat and keep the plug in!
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville & Yucca brevifolia
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Jan 23, 2017 - 02:16pm PT
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Fear nailed it. The heater is faulty.
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Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
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Jan 23, 2017 - 02:17pm PT
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Boats are poorly grounded. Although the return line for a 110 device connects to your battery at some point, a deep cycle battery is not rated to run a heater like that for long.
Although he did not say, I would imagine he is running the heater on shore power, which grounds just fine. Creates major galvanic current and will eat up your anodes. I disconnect my shore power when I am not on the boat.
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chainsaw
Trad climber
CA
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Jan 23, 2017 - 02:24pm PT
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Perhaps pud is correct but I dont believe so. The heater is likely UL rated and thoroughly tested. The 110v power system on a boat is another matter. No matter what the rating on a 12v inverter power supply says, in practice they function inefficiently and produce very "dirty" power. Any fault in the ground trunk of the system will produce the over heating of the connector. Eventually it will melt. If the inverter produces a dirty undervolt signal you will have problems. And any faulty wiring will intermittently produce power spikes that overheat and fry things.
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chainsaw
Trad climber
CA
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Jan 23, 2017 - 02:26pm PT
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John, you may be right. I didnt even think about shore power. In that case, checking all wiring for corrosion still a good idea. John do you live on a boat? Thats pretty freakin cool!
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chainsaw
Trad climber
CA
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Jan 23, 2017 - 02:28pm PT
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Also with shore power, if the marinas wiring is corroded and damaged, resulting in a poor ground on their end, it will still seriously damage your equipment.
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 23, 2017 - 03:21pm PT
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Great info, thx.
I am plugged in to shore power.
Never had any problem with blow dryer or microwave, but they aren't turned on for very long.
Got a big flat screen tv, but have no idea how much current it draws.
The heater is a $39 special, that is probably 15 years old.
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Jan 23, 2017 - 03:40pm PT
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If it's cheap and old, the wire strands near the plug can break over time with repeated use, increasing the resistance and therefore heat near the plug. The inverter theory above is complexified nonsense. Heaters are cheap to replace, dangerous if something goes wrong. If convinced the power and outlet are fine with other appliances, I would have already tossed it.
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Ken M
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
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Jan 23, 2017 - 03:41pm PT
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You don't specifically mention, but the nature of the power cord from shore to boat can make a big difference in these issues. If you are using one of those very hefty yellow marine-grade three prong power connector, there shouldn't be a problem. However, I see people use regular home extension cords---sometimes very long---that are neither of the size nor rating for the situation.
Barring that, I'd borrow another similar heater and give it a shot. Most boats surrounding you probably have one, ask a friendly neighbor. 10 minutes, you'll know.
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hooblie
climber
from out where the anecdotes roam
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Jan 23, 2017 - 03:43pm PT
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no heater?!?!?
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Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
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Jan 23, 2017 - 03:45pm PT
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John do you live on a boat?
I wish I could, but I would have to sell nearly all my stuff, or buy a giant power boat and sell most of my stuff. I keep a sail boat as a poor mans beach condo, spend quality time on it with my son.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Jan 23, 2017 - 04:05pm PT
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hey there say, zip... oh my... say, do you really NEED a heater on the boat...
can you just wear extra warm clothes, like wool shirts, and keep extra
blankets, or good sleeping bag, around?... they do well...
i used to live without heat for years, here in mich, and, well, yeah, it was bad at times, but you just 'layer' etc, to keep warm... (only jan, and feb, i had to use it,or the pipes might freeze--so someone told me...
but--also, i was going to ask, HOW OLD is the heater,
but, you
just mentioned it...
i had recently got an older appliance from a thrift store, that my
friend gave me-- like a toaster oven thing, however,
the plug got hot too fast... after i read-up on it:
it seemed that sometimes these OLDER wired things either:
did not hold up well? or it's a voltage/watts thing:
'can't explain all the tech-stuff' but
someone else, here, sure can...
i've seen a lot of good help here, after looking over all this...
stay safe... or, we will all worry about you :O
:)
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