HMV Cavendish fan heater - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

mark pirate · 25th Nov 2011, 4:56 pm

I have been after one of these for a while now, ever since my very battered Cavendish bit the dust due to broken elements years ago.

I was over the moon to pick up this near mint example at a car boot sale. When I got it home, I noticed something rattling around under the bottom cover, on taking it off the two spare safety links and envelope fell out! I repaired the envelope, with the links safely back inside and glued it to the inside of the bottom cover.

The wiring and mains cable are as new, even down to the original MK plug, complete with switch!

On checking the internals, I was amazed at the condition overall. The elements are perfect and are nothing like the crumbling remains of my last one, even the bulb looks to be the original.

The fan also looks like new and the motor spins very freely, although I did give it a drop of oil (I could not wait until the 1st of January!).

It works very well, looks great with the red glow through the vents and is so quiet compared to the modern one in my workshop. I am sure it has seen very little use in its life.

For a change, there was nothing to do other than blow a bit of dust out and give it a polish with a duster.

Mark

kalee20 · 25th Nov 2011, 5:16 pm

Nice! These are good heaters.

It would be worth taking it to your nearest HMV shop, and asking if you can buy a few spare links, just to see how they respond...

richrussell · 25th Nov 2011, 5:34 pm

Mine's starting to get some use in my garage now in actual heater mode (rather than just as as fan).

It's very important that you don't forget to oil the motor on 1st January. Who knows what'll happen with you having oiled it before then.

Stubble · 25th Nov 2011, 8:14 pm

I have one and would not part with it, yours is a very lucky find and mint condition too.

neil29 · 25th Nov 2011, 11:10 pm

Am i going mad? as i thought i posted a reply to this thread earlier but it seems to have disappeared?. cheers neil.

Heatercathodeshort · 26th Nov 2011, 9:52 am

I can imagine the bells at midnight and after the clink of champagne glasses, some dink reminds everyone to oil the motor in their HMV fan heaters.....J.

Mike Phelan · 26th Nov 2011, 9:58 am

I've two of 'em now; the later one is badged Murphy but I think I'll restore it over Xmas and the motor can be oiled on New Year's Day.

I will have to ensure I don't pour myself a glass of 3-in-1.

mark pirate · 27th Nov 2011, 11:19 am

Quote:

I've two of 'em now; the later one is badged Murphy

That is strange, I thought HMV was an EMI brand, whereas murphy (at the time) an independent company? Does anyone know when these were first introduced? I am sure it was late forties.

I have noticed a major difference in these, on my example, the rear panel has louvres. I have seen others with a plain back, this must of had a problem with air flow.

Quote:

I can imagine the bells at midnight and after the clink of champagne glasses, some dink reminds everyone to oil the motor in their HMV fan heaters.....J.

That is why I did mine early, I don't think I will be in a fit state to be let loose with an oil can on the 1st January

Mark

Radio_Dave · 27th Nov 2011, 1:33 pm

Hi Mark,

The louvred back is a from a later model. I believe these heaters were introduced in around 1949 and I have a feeling they had a long production run, possibly into the early 70's?

David

Heatercathodeshort · 27th Nov 2011, 10:19 pm

They were marketed covering a large number of makers names.J.

25th Nov 2011, 4:56 pm	#1
mark pirate Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK Posts: 5,185	HMV Cavendish fan heater I have been after one of these for a while now, ever since my very battered Cavendish bit the dust due to broken elements years ago. I was over the moon to pick up this near mint example at a car boot sale. When I got it home, I noticed something rattling around under the bottom cover, on taking it off the two spare safety links and envelope fell out! I repaired the envelope, with the links safely back inside and glued it to the inside of the bottom cover. The wiring and mains cable are as new, even down to the original MK plug, complete with switch! On checking the internals, I was amazed at the condition overall. The elements are perfect and are nothing like the crumbling remains of my last one, even the bulb looks to be the original. The fan also looks like new and the motor spins very freely, although I did give it a drop of oil (I could not wait until the 1st of January!). It works very well, looks great with the red glow through the vents and is so quiet compared to the modern one in my workshop. I am sure it has seen very little use in its life. For a change, there was nothing to do other than blow a bit of dust out and give it a polish with a duster. Mark Attached Thumbnails

25th Nov 2011, 5:16 pm	#2
kalee20 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lynton, N. Devon, UK. Posts: 7,081	Re: HMV Cavendish fan heater Nice! These are good heaters. It would be worth taking it to your nearest HMV shop, and asking if you can buy a few spare links, just to see how they respond...

25th Nov 2011, 5:34 pm	#3
richrussell Heptode Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 979	Re: HMV Cavendish fan heater Mine's starting to get some use in my garage now in actual heater mode (rather than just as as fan). It's very important that you don't forget to oil the motor on 1st January. Who knows what'll happen with you having oiled it before then.

25th Nov 2011, 8:14 pm	#4
Stubble Pentode Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Powys, Wales, UK. Posts: 189	Re: HMV Cavendish fan heater I have one and would not part with it, yours is a very lucky find and mint condition too.

25th Nov 2011, 11:10 pm	#5
neil29 Heptode Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Newport, Gwent, UK. Posts: 962	Re: HMV Cavendish fan heater Am i going mad? as i thought i posted a reply to this thread earlier but it seems to have disappeared?. cheers neil.

26th Nov 2011, 9:52 am	#6
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: HMV Cavendish fan heater I can imagine the bells at midnight and after the clink of champagne glasses, some dink reminds everyone to oil the motor in their HMV fan heaters.....J.

26th Nov 2011, 9:58 am	#7
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: HMV Cavendish fan heater I've two of 'em now; the later one is badged Murphy but I think I'll restore it over Xmas and the motor can be oiled on New Year's Day. I will have to ensure I don't pour myself a glass of 3-in-1. __________________ Mike.

27th Nov 2011, 1:33 pm	#9
Radio_Dave Nonode Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 2,543	Re: HMV Cavendish fan heater Hi Mark, The louvred back is a from a later model. I believe these heaters were introduced in around 1949 and I have a feeling they had a long production run, possibly into the early 70's? David

27th Nov 2011, 10:19 pm	#10
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: HMV Cavendish fan heater They were marketed covering a large number of makers names.J.