wmonroe
Elite Member
At least there was no damage other than the heater and cord.
BLock Heater install project - BX2350
- Thread starter Charliebrn
- Start date
Ancient Geek
New member
Yes. I'm so glad it burned immediately after I plugged it in and there were no highly flammable objects, liquids or gasses nearby! $95 is very cheap compared to replacing a 26x36 2-story garage/workshop!
HeLa
Gold Member
yikes. something to keep in mind for those of us who like to start these remotely and/or with timers!
Ancient Geek
New member
Yes. I've been contemplating remote control myself! Though I guess it could flame out any time...not just when initially plugged in.
I was wondering if anyone makes a fused outlet or cord that I could install between the block heater and the extension cord. If I had a fuse that was appropriately sized for protecting the pig-tail, I think the fuse would blow safely and the cord would not catch fire. I'm going to look for on on-line today. If I find one, I'll post the details.
I was wondering if anyone makes a fused outlet or cord that I could install between the block heater and the extension cord. If I had a fuse that was appropriately sized for protecting the pig-tail, I think the fuse would blow safely and the cord would not catch fire. I'm going to look for on on-line today. If I find one, I'll post the details.
Ancient Geek
New member
I looked around for a convenient way to add a fuse to the cord and here are my findings...
First, the cord on the block heater is 18 gauge wire with a 10 amp rating. My extension cord is 16 gauge, my circuit is 12 gauge with a 15 amp breaker, so the block heater cord was the weakest link.
I didn't find anything that was available "off the shelf" that fit my application. I decided to make something simple. Here are the parts I used.
A 12" long 16 gauge extension cord, lighted plug, fuse holder, 10 amp fuse...also two wire nuts and some black electrical tape. I purchased most of these parts on Amazon, just because it was easy.
I carefully sliced open the cord jacket and teased out the black wire. I snipped it and stripped it as appropriate for wire nut connections. I snipped and stripped the fuse holder leads as well. Twisted and applied the wire nuts to both ends. Then taped the cords.
I installed the cord with the lighted plug on the end nearest the block heater so I can quickly see the power is still available to the block heater or conversely, I'll see when the power is off for some reason...fuse or otherwise.
That's it. Pretty simple. I feel better knowing my little fuse should blow before the cord fries.
First, the cord on the block heater is 18 gauge wire with a 10 amp rating. My extension cord is 16 gauge, my circuit is 12 gauge with a 15 amp breaker, so the block heater cord was the weakest link.
I didn't find anything that was available "off the shelf" that fit my application. I decided to make something simple. Here are the parts I used.
A 12" long 16 gauge extension cord, lighted plug, fuse holder, 10 amp fuse...also two wire nuts and some black electrical tape. I purchased most of these parts on Amazon, just because it was easy.
I carefully sliced open the cord jacket and teased out the black wire. I snipped it and stripped it as appropriate for wire nut connections. I snipped and stripped the fuse holder leads as well. Twisted and applied the wire nuts to both ends. Then taped the cords.
I installed the cord with the lighted plug on the end nearest the block heater so I can quickly see the power is still available to the block heater or conversely, I'll see when the power is off for some reason...fuse or otherwise.
That's it. Pretty simple. I feel better knowing my little fuse should blow before the cord fries.