Is the lower radiator heater cord shot??

[Willl]

While the meter went from showing "1" to showing "0000" between the two spade connectors on pic 2 and between the two posts at the bottom of pic 2, there was a audible beep.

Actually, those readings sound OK. Though I would of expected a beep from the 2 spades on your control.

I just went out and took a ohm reading on 2, 120V small heaters (a magnet block heater and my dodge block heater). One had 65 ohms and the other 20 ohms (which made my meter beep also). So your earlier reading of 44 could be spot on.

Here's a thought, if everything was working correctly (control closed and connections good), hooking that plug back up to the tractor, you should get that same 44 ohm reading at the end of the plug that goes to the wall receptacle.

 

[dourobob]

Actually, those readings sound OK. Though I would of expected a beep from the 2 spades on your control. . . . Here's a thought, if everything was working correctly (control closed and connections good), hooking that plug back up to the tractor, you should get that same 44 ohm reading at the end of the plug that goes to the wall receptacle.

Sorry Will, I wasn't clear. I got a beep for both the spade connectors and for the two posts at the bottom. See pic below

I put the plug back on the heater and checked the "plug-in" end - no reading (44 or otherwise) and no beep in any combination. I wiggled and snugged the heater end a few times just to be sure of contact.

Might this point to the cord being the problem?

Bob

 

[dourobob]

I thought I should try and determine if the cord was faulty so I took it off and checked for continuity from one end to the other.

Here is what I found

Looking at the male end of the cord with the round ground terminal on top
- ground terminal BEEPS with #1 in pic below
- left side BEEPS with #5 in the pic below
- right side BEEPS with #3 in the pic below

Not sure what this means.

Bob

 

[DonnieP]

I drew up a schematic of what I believe you have. Your meter should beep if you measure between sockets 2 and 4 also. If you hook the plug up to the heater, you should measure the ~45 ohms across the flat prongs on the u-ground plug. I believe you may have already tried this.

On one of your first pictures you had 120vac from 3 to 1 when plugged in, you should also have it from 3 to 5. If you don't then the extention cord or the recepticle you plug in must have lost the neutral line. (The neutral line rings out ok when you tested it on the heater cord.)

 

[Willl]

Good schematic Donnie.

Bob, that 1.1 reading between the 2 control spades bothers me. Should be the same as touching your probes together, 0.0

This probably means nothing but the term #4 on the plug looks funny. Is the male portion that goes in there going on the correct side of the female spade ?
It should look like #3. Maybe it's just the way the camera caught it.

If you had a way to hook up just to the element posts,,,

 

[dourobob]

I drew up a schematic of what I believe you have. Your meter should beep if you measure between sockets 2 and 4 also. If you hook the plug up to the heater, you should measure the ~45 ohms across the flat prongs on the u-ground plug. I believe you may have already tried this.

On one of your first pictures you had 120vac from 3 to 1 when plugged in, you should also have it from 3 to 5. If you don't then the extention cord or the recepticle you plug in must have lost the neutral line. (The neutral line rings out ok when you tested it on the heater cord.)

Good schematic Donnie.

Bob, that 1.1 reading between the 2 control spades bothers me. Should be the same as touching your probes together, 0.0

This probably means nothing but the term #4 on the plug looks funny. Is the male portion that goes in there going on the correct side of the female spade ?
It should look like #3. Maybe it's just the way the camera caught it.

If you had a way to hook up just to the element posts,,,

Thanks gentlemen (for your experience and your patience)

Donnie - the schematic is great and I do get a 120 vac reading between 3 and 5 but I don't get anything across the flat prongs of the u-ground plug

Will - I agree that # 4 looks a little dodgy - perhaps I can try to straighten it a bit and see if that makes a difference. Job for tomorrow.

Bob

 

[dourobob]

If you hook the plug up to the heater, you should measure the ~45 ohms across the flat prongs on the u-ground plug.

Yes Donnie
I did try that yesterday and got no reading. This morning I "straightened" #4 connection and plugged the cable back on the heater. Now I get a 44.1 ohm reading on the flat prongs of the u-ground plug. Will have a chance to try later today to see if any heat is forthcoming.

Bob

 

[dourobob]

Well, I am still trying to get to the bottom of this.

I finally had some time to plug in the lower rad-hose heater after getting a 44.1 ohm reading on the flat prongs of the u-ground plug, but there is no heat coming from the unit.

Is it time to give up and replace this thing or is there something else I should be checking?

BTW, my dealer said he would replace the unit if it is faulty even though it is not covered by warranty but right now I am enjoying the learning that is happening with the help of the TBN folks.

Thanks for any further ideas.
Bob

 

[kjung17]

I agree with Donnie's drawing and, I may have overlooked it, did not read if you tested continuity between 2 and 4 on your plug?

 

[JB4310]

I agree with Donnie's drawing and, I may have overlooked it, did not read if you tested continuity between 2 and 4 on your plug?

Looks like that's the last to check to rule out the cord being bad.

I've been following this cause though I thought his cord looked odd, with all those terminals, thought there would just be 2. looks like mine is the same.

If there's anything you want me to test/confirm on mine let me know. I just installed mine a couple of years ago. It was inexpensive, but a little messy to replace I guess.

JB