What is this for? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Pete_kaye · 8th Aug 2011, 4:09 pm

I got this from an electrical shop clearing out old stock.I've several ,some are 1000w and rest are 750W.I guess they are from are for some sort of heater. If anyone can use one , I will advertise on 'Offered'

teetoon · 8th Aug 2011, 4:13 pm

Hi Pete, I know my eyes aren't what they were

but, can I guess? Is it a type of coiled element or something?
David.
Ah too late! There's a picture now. I was right though, I've got one of those. They are replacement elements for electric fires, the type where it snaked around in a block (if you know what I mean). I'm sure there are plenty of people who would be glad to have one to repair an o/c or stretched and kinked element. They may also fit in the sleeved type of fire element?
David.
ps. I suppose they would suit fan heaters aswell? Not sure.

Pete_kaye · 8th Aug 2011, 4:30 pm

thanks I will advertise them

terrybull · 8th Aug 2011, 7:30 pm

We had an electric fire that used elements similar to this 50 years ago. It came from my Grandmothers when she died so I assume it was probably pre war. It was about two feet or slightly more wide. The coil slipped over a porcelain type rod with threaded connectors either end. The elements clipped into mounts which protruded through a chromed curved reflector and sat horizontally. There were two of them! It had a fold down sort of rack so you could boil a kettle! Probably not the best idea.

glowinganode · 8th Aug 2011, 8:20 pm

I think these are replacement elements for a Pifco "Sunlamp".
As I recall, these had a ceramic former approx 2" diam with a helical "spiral" that the element wrapped around, and a large chromed parabolic reflector.
Rob.

Top Cap · 8th Aug 2011, 8:37 pm

Gee that element has brought back memories. As a young lad I replaced loads of elements in hot plates that would be banned today by Health & Safety yet we sold loads! When you replaced an element it was important to gauge how long it had to be. Then with two fingers gripping an end in each hand, slowly pulled the element but just a little! Then retry for length and continue until the element fitted the ceramic plate correctly. That way you achieved an even glow over the whole length of the element, doing it any other way gave localised hot spots. I don't know why but I just loved doing them. The same technique was used when refitting the element into infra red type silica sleeves. I used to clean these by threading thick string through them. You could wash them but you had to make sure the inside was totally dry before threading and subsequent switch on.

matthewhouse · 8th Aug 2011, 9:28 pm

As it says on the box these are infra red elements that slide into a quartz tube, the straight bits of wire are then cut short and crimped back into the end caps, or wrapped around a terminal post etc.

We used to have a few of these elements back in the shop, but they were of little use as the quartz tube often needed replacement at the same time. This was never good news as over 60% of the replacements we ordered would be smashed in the post!

glowinganode · 8th Aug 2011, 9:57 pm

Sorry, not a Sun Lamp, they had a UV bulb.
See attached pic of Pifco I-R Lamp.
Rob.

broadgage · 9th Aug 2011, 11:49 am

I think that these may be replacement elements for heaters that use a coil of resistance wire inside a tube of heat proof translucent silica.
Sometimes the whole silica tube was replaced, but it was clearly more economical to to reuse the expensive silica tube and only replace the nichrome wire spiral when this failed.

The silica tube was normally straight, but some designs used a circular one surrounding a lamp, so as to give heat and light.
Popular in bathrooms.

These elements could be used for other purposes, including as replacements for failed wire spirals in ceramic blocks, popular for older wall mounted heaters.

Many years ago, DIY magazine published an article on using an element like the one pictured, placed in a groove between pieces of asbestos.
This gave a linear heat source by means of which perspex or similar could be heated and bent along the heated line.

Pete_kaye · 10th Aug 2011, 6:17 pm

Well that created some discussion .I have 7 in all so they are offered for sale but I don't know if anyone is actually going to use one ,judging by the comments! Cheers.

8th Aug 2011, 4:09 pm	#1
Pete_kaye Octode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,227	What is this for? I got this from an electrical shop clearing out old stock.I've several ,some are 1000w and rest are 750W.I guess they are from are for some sort of heater. If anyone can use one , I will advertise on 'Offered' Attached Thumbnails

8th Aug 2011, 4:13 pm	#2
teetoon Heptode Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Barnstaple, N.Devon, UK. Posts: 557	Re: What is this for? Hi Pete, I know my eyes aren't what they were but, can I guess? Is it a type of coiled element or something? David. Ah too late! There's a picture now. I was right though, I've got one of those. They are replacement elements for electric fires, the type where it snaked around in a block (if you know what I mean). I'm sure there are plenty of people who would be glad to have one to repair an o/c or stretched and kinked element. They may also fit in the sleeved type of fire element? David. ps. I suppose they would suit fan heaters aswell? Not sure. Last edited by teetoon; 8th Aug 2011 at 4:39 pm. Reason: more info

8th Aug 2011, 4:30 pm	#3
Pete_kaye Octode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,227	Re: What is this for? thanks I will advertise them

8th Aug 2011, 7:30 pm	#4
terrybull Octode Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Southwell, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 1,781	Re: What is this for? We had an electric fire that used elements similar to this 50 years ago. It came from my Grandmothers when she died so I assume it was probably pre war. It was about two feet or slightly more wide. The coil slipped over a porcelain type rod with threaded connectors either end. The elements clipped into mounts which protruded through a chromed curved reflector and sat horizontally. There were two of them! It had a fold down sort of rack so you could boil a kettle! Probably not the best idea.

8th Aug 2011, 8:20 pm	#5
glowinganode Octode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 1,522	Re: What is this for? I think these are replacement elements for a Pifco "Sunlamp". As I recall, these had a ceramic former approx 2" diam with a helical "spiral" that the element wrapped around, and a large chromed parabolic reflector. Rob. __________________ We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.

8th Aug 2011, 8:37 pm	#6
Top Cap Octode Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Watford, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,270	Re: What is this for? Gee that element has brought back memories. As a young lad I replaced loads of elements in hot plates that would be banned today by Health & Safety yet we sold loads! When you replaced an element it was important to gauge how long it had to be. Then with two fingers gripping an end in each hand, slowly pulled the element but just a little! Then retry for length and continue until the element fitted the ceramic plate correctly. That way you achieved an even glow over the whole length of the element, doing it any other way gave localised hot spots. I don't know why but I just loved doing them. The same technique was used when refitting the element into infra red type silica sleeves. I used to clean these by threading thick string through them. You could wash them but you had to make sure the inside was totally dry before threading and subsequent switch on. __________________ Whether the Top Cap is Grid or Anode - touching it will give you a buzz either way!

8th Aug 2011, 9:28 pm	#7
matthewhouse Octode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Willand, Devon, UK. Posts: 1,023	Re: What is this for? As it says on the box these are infra red elements that slide into a quartz tube, the straight bits of wire are then cut short and crimped back into the end caps, or wrapped around a terminal post etc. We used to have a few of these elements back in the shop, but they were of little use as the quartz tube often needed replacement at the same time. This was never good news as over 60% of the replacements we ordered would be smashed in the post!

8th Aug 2011, 9:57 pm	#8
glowinganode Octode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 1,522	Re: What is this for? Sorry, not a Sun Lamp, they had a UV bulb. See attached pic of Pifco I-R Lamp. Rob. Attached Thumbnails __________________ We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.

9th Aug 2011, 11:49 am	#9
broadgage Nonode Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: North Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,130	Re: What is this for? I think that these may be replacement elements for heaters that use a coil of resistance wire inside a tube of heat proof translucent silica. Sometimes the whole silica tube was replaced, but it was clearly more economical to to reuse the expensive silica tube and only replace the nichrome wire spiral when this failed. The silica tube was normally straight, but some designs used a circular one surrounding a lamp, so as to give heat and light. Popular in bathrooms. These elements could be used for other purposes, including as replacements for failed wire spirals in ceramic blocks, popular for older wall mounted heaters. Many years ago, DIY magazine published an article on using an element like the one pictured, placed in a groove between pieces of asbestos. This gave a linear heat source by means of which perspex or similar could be heated and bent along the heated line.

10th Aug 2011, 6:17 pm	#10
Pete_kaye Octode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,227	Re: What is this for? Well that created some discussion .I have 7 in all so they are offered for sale but I don't know if anyone is actually going to use one ,judging by the comments! Cheers.