Patio heater problems

[kme]

so.......

We deal with the electrical work in a local pub; who had previously had fitted a pair of "Algarve" 1300W heaters, to the (covered) smoking area; fed on their own circuit via Elkay 560A touch timers, set for 5 mins.

The initial problem was that the lamps weren`t lasting very long; so I changed supplier, and ordered some specifically designed for the fittings.

However, when the lamps went again, they melted the spring-loaded terminals on the fittings.

One of the suggestions for the lamps not lasting was that the Algarve is a sealed, glass-fronted unit. Because the existing units were damaged, I replaced them with wire mesh fronted units from TLC ( MLA 1300W patio heaters).

The lamps are lasting between 2 and 4 weeks - the last one to go left the ceramic ends of the lamp attached to the terminals; whilst the glass envelope had dropped out - suggesting either a manufacturing defect, or an overheating problem.

I`ve checked the wiring for voltage drop, loose connections, etc. Nothing found which could explain the problem. I`m at a complete loss as to what could be the cause - any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

KME

 

[Lee321]

has to be lamp & holder issue k. ? they are not dissapating enough heat.

is it a case of the end of the lamps have failed or just the element in general unrelated to the heat at the ends?

if so you can summise that the heat generated is causing the holders to fail due to them not dissapating or with standing the heat

or if the holder survives the lamps are not fit for purpose

i bet there not cheap and you/client would be entitled to free replacement given the very short life span. ?

 

[ianmacd]

No voltage drop under load?

 

[Lee321]

Vd checked Ian

 

[ianmacd]

VD checked but under load?

 

[Lee321]

this is K we are talking about not m4tty lol. soz matt :Salute :^O

 

[Evans Electric]

Can you drop in the lap of the maker's technical dept. and let them spend their time on it ?

 

[Sidewinder]

Well, we've spent about an hour bouncing ideas off each other on this and it is a puzzler!

IIRC the failure mode does / has changed?

Oh and yes the VD under load has been measured so KME tells me.

I am thinking of going down there with him to cast a second pair of eyes over this as it is a corker!!!

Anyone want to throw some real out of the box stuff, I think it will be appreciated!

Philosophise away my friends!

 

[sellers]

my only ideas are, duff lamps, or corroded connections where the lamp clips in causing excess heat.

 

[wozz]

Have the lamps got R7 caps? ive had loads of these fall apart recently (floodlights), usually like you say with the caps staying in place or just crumbling as they come out, some ive installed at the same time fail at the same time in the same way.

 

[NozSpark]

The only thing I can think of is that could the tubes be getting contaminated with grease or something similar?

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 22:36 ---------- Previous post was made at 22:17 ----------

I've just had a look at the instructions for some of those heaters and is seems that moisture can be a problem for them and that they should be cleaned after 100hours operation or they could overheat... thay also say that they could overheat if thay are connected to an extension lead,,, so I would guess that they are very susceptable to low voltage