Unknown cast iron 2Kw electric fire - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

The Philpott · 30th Dec 2019, 10:24 am

We had a later and uglier version of George's heater when i was young- and yes it did get tipped over several times, once hard enough to crack the fireclay backing (but not the element)

It was good at briefly warming your hands or frazzling the hair on your ankles, but as people have observed it was fundamentally a cooker ring standing on it's side; a fan heater element barely glows if at all- the heat is being pulled away from it, balancing the temperature around the room as quickly as possible. It's still interesting that 1kw of radiant heater feels less effective than 1kw of fan heater though..

..Generally ructions followed in our house if the second bar was switched on- the noise the switch made could be heard in the next room.

Dave

bionicmerlin · 30th Dec 2019, 5:04 pm

If it was me I would get this heater working and enjoy it.
Yes maybe it’s not as efficient as a new heater and maybe not as safe but does that really matter. common sense says you won’t use it around children or pets.
Lots of our other things are not as safe as modern equivalents and not energy friendly but we use them anyway and love them.
I have a heater with a similar element that I use often . It was my Nans and its had loads of use. It had a new spiral element in the late 70s and I have a spare .
Just in case. Andy

Brigham · 30th Dec 2019, 5:51 pm

Old electrical gear shouldn't be used by people without knowledge or common sense.
Leave it for enthusiasts; the people this forum is aimed at.

paulsherwin · 30th Dec 2019, 6:43 pm

This heater should be OK if used with care by responsible adults. I wouldn't show it any power if there are children around though.

TrevorG3VLF · 2nd Jan 2020, 10:56 pm

I use a fan heater in my shed for transient heating, it warms my tootsies. A wall mounted radient heater has little effect until the ceiling has warmed up and then I am off for a cup of coffee.

sexton_mallard · 2nd Jan 2020, 11:36 pm

I like my Belling THEF002 radiant fire. It can be floor or wall mounted with 2 1kw bars, the second bar can be switched in. The parabolic reflector really sends a lovely beam of radiant heat and the top can be rotated about 35 degrees up and down. Useful on really cold days in the parents cottage when getting the lounge fire ready. Again, I would agree that it should only be used supervised with no young children around. Wall mounting away from any harm is my preference for usability and safety.

30th Dec 2019, 10:24 am	#21
The Philpott Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Colchester, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,106	Re: Unknown cast iron 2Kw electric fire We had a later and uglier version of George's heater when i was young- and yes it did get tipped over several times, once hard enough to crack the fireclay backing (but not the element) It was good at briefly warming your hands or frazzling the hair on your ankles, but as people have observed it was fundamentally a cooker ring standing on it's side; a fan heater element barely glows if at all- the heat is being pulled away from it, balancing the temperature around the room as quickly as possible. It's still interesting that 1kw of radiant heater feels less effective than 1kw of fan heater though.. ..Generally ructions followed in our house if the second bar was switched on- the noise the switch made could be heard in the next room. Dave

30th Dec 2019, 5:04 pm	#22
bionicmerlin Heptode Join Date: May 2010 Location: Warminster, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 682	Re: Unknown cast iron 2Kw electric fire If it was me I would get this heater working and enjoy it. Yes maybe it’s not as efficient as a new heater and maybe not as safe but does that really matter. common sense says you won’t use it around children or pets. Lots of our other things are not as safe as modern equivalents and not energy friendly but we use them anyway and love them. I have a heater with a similar element that I use often . It was my Nans and its had loads of use. It had a new spiral element in the late 70s and I have a spare . Just in case. Andy Attached Thumbnails

30th Dec 2019, 5:51 pm	#23
Brigham Octode Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Co. Durham, UK. Posts: 1,116	Re: Unknown cast iron 2Kw electric fire Old electrical gear shouldn't be used by people without knowledge or common sense. Leave it for enthusiasts; the people this forum is aimed at.

30th Dec 2019, 6:43 pm	#24
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,936	Re: Unknown cast iron 2Kw electric fire This heater should be OK if used with care by responsible adults. I wouldn't show it any power if there are children around though.

2nd Jan 2020, 10:56 pm	#25
TrevorG3VLF Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Matlock, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 1,378	Re: Unknown cast iron 2Kw electric fire I use a fan heater in my shed for transient heating, it warms my tootsies. A wall mounted radient heater has little effect until the ceiling has warmed up and then I am off for a cup of coffee.

2nd Jan 2020, 11:36 pm	#26
sexton_mallard Heptode Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Ellesmere, Shropshire, UK & Co. Cork, Ireland. Posts: 501	Re: Unknown cast iron 2Kw electric fire I like my Belling THEF002 radiant fire. It can be floor or wall mounted with 2 1kw bars, the second bar can be switched in. The parabolic reflector really sends a lovely beam of radiant heat and the top can be rotated about 35 degrees up and down. Useful on really cold days in the parents cottage when getting the lounge fire ready. Again, I would agree that it should only be used supervised with no young children around. Wall mounting away from any harm is my preference for usability and safety. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Dom Less snakes...more ladders! Last edited by sexton_mallard; 2nd Jan 2020 at 11:53 pm. Reason: improve readability