Brrrrr or What in the World does this heater blow a fuse?

DieselDr78 · Post by **DieselDr78** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 3:39 pm

Here is the problem....The heater for this 1973 does wonderful in the driveway! Then you pull out of the driveway and go about a mile down the road.....POOF...... #9 fuse blows no heat!
We have replaced the Heater Timer switch and were going to replace the Timer regulating switch only find the one The Thing shop carries is not the one in our Thing.
Any ideas?

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Tue Dec 03, 2002 3:59 pm

Diesel,you can bypass the timer switch by running the gray wire to a +positive and use a switch inline to shut off/on.
Heres a link for Heaterman for more technical info. Check out his digital programable timer. http://www.hometown.aol.com/arkmirvis/heaterman.html
Good luck. Bob Ingman

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Sat Dec 07, 2002 1:46 pm

Mrs Blonde I am going to assume at this time that you do not have a BN4 in you Thing. I will do some research and see what I can find. Meanwhile have you insured that the fuse you are using is of the proper gauge/ This is a powerful mechanism and will not tolerate a small fuse such as would be used in taillights or directionals. Try to bump up to a heavier fuse just to see what happens but by all means do not use a solid such as foil wrapping.You would damage the wiring or the mechanism by doing so.
If you would please supply us with the name of manufacturer and model #. Good luck. Bob Ingman

DieselDr78 · Post by **DieselDr78** » Sat Dec 07, 2002 11:44 pm

Bob I have seen this web site, but the heater posted their is not the same one we have. The Therm control located on top is totally different.
Any who, so what you are saying it is the timer switch that is still our problem and not the Themo switch?
Color me Blond cause I am really lost!

Mrs. DieselDr78

DieselDr78 · Post by **DieselDr78** » Sun Dec 08, 2002 1:39 pm

Originally posted by Bob Ingman:
"Mrs Blonde I am going to assume at this time that you do not have a BN4 in you Thing."
Yes, this is a BN4 heater and the Model # is 181261105D
"I will do some research and see what I can find. Meanwhile have you insured that the fuse you are using is of the proper gauge/ This is a powerful mechanism and will not tolerate a small fuse such as would be used in taillights or directionals. Try to bump up to a heavier fuse just to see what happens but by all means do not use a solid such as foil wrapping."
I my be blond, but rest assure I am not blond enough to attempt to use something other then the proper fuse. I have tried running a 5, 10, and currently have a 16 in there now. I do not relish the thought of frying a whole wiring system.

[This message has been edited by DieselDr78 (edited 12-08-2002).]

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Mon Dec 09, 2002 5:32 pm

Fear not . Help is on the way. By tomorrow we should know something. Good luck. Bob Ingman

DieselDr78 · Post by **DieselDr78** » Mon Dec 09, 2002 6:09 pm

Bob those are wonderful words!!!!!!!! My toes thank you, my nose thanks you and most of all my husband thanks you cause I know he sure is tired of listening to me about this heater!

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Tue Dec 10, 2002 8:14 pm

You have mail. A couple of forwards to you that might be of help. Good luck and keep us posted if this is not the end of the problem. Bob Ingman

DieselDr78 · Post by **DieselDr78** » Sat Jan 04, 2003 12:28 pm

Well, the decision has been made after many FRUSTRATING hours...the heater is being shipped off to the Heaterman. I guess when the @#$% blasted thing started smoking the wife said that was it! I emailed Ark and he sent me all the directions to ship this heater.
I guess the wife didn't want to see if both cars could go POOF, considering my car was parked in front of the Thing. Thanks for all the info and help in trying to figure this heater out.

DieselDr78 · Post by **DieselDr78** » Mon May 05, 2003 11:23 am

We got the heater back from The Heaterman the end of March. We put out $500.00 and in that cost included the programable heater switch.
It was a wonderful weekend when we began putting the heater back in. I wired the new heater switch from the directions sent with the switch making sure I put in an inline fuse.
First mistake made, was the original switch was not disconnected

(Okay I am allowed this mistake as I have told you before I am blonde)! We removed the wire for it and tried again. I hit the button to ignite our freshly rebuilt heater.......pop.....OMG #9 Fused blew along with the inline fuse! 5 Fuses later, we called the heaterman....and the suggestion was to increase the size of the fuse both inline and in the fuse box. With the increased size of the fuse we did not blow the inline one, instead #9! GRRRRRRRRRR!
Being the mechanic he is, Mr. Diesel promptly cussed out the heater and threw the tools across the driveway. <g> We started with the fuse panel and check each and every wire! We then followed the direction of the Heaterman and removed EVERYTHING from #9 fuse. Hit the switch and low and behold no blown fuses! The heater didn't engerize either! <sigh> Nothing...Nada....Zip! A quick check with a test light reveled there was power to the heater relay, but nothing coming out. A direct hot lead to the relay WOULD energize the fan and it would blow, but the heater never kick in! A hot to the fan showed the fan is moving freely in the heater.
Another call to the Heaterman....we are to remove the relay, mark the wires and ship the relay back to The Heaterman. The way I figure it, if I bitch at Mr D long enough he will do just that!
The only complaint I have is The Heaterman really does need to update his web site on AOL reflecting that the Programable switchwhich cost much more and that there is a charge if he gives you a quote and you decide not to repair. I mean what choice would you have, he has your heater! Otherwise he is very helpful.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Tue May 06, 2003 1:39 pm

Wendy, thanks for your update. We all need to be aware of these little obstacles when dealing with mail order repair facilities. Why was the relay
not sent initially? Would have saved a lot of heartache if he had asked you to include it in the shipment. My single dealing with Ark was positive and I did not hesitate to refer you to him for that reason. Good luck. Hopefully you will be toasty NEXT winter. Bob Ingman

DieselDr78 · Post by **DieselDr78** » Tue May 06, 2003 7:32 pm

Bob, the relay was included in the repair, but for some reason it just isn't sending the need voltage out and not engerizing the rest of the heater.
Ark repaired all aspects of the heater...which I am sure, if we can find out why there is no power out, the heater will be wonderful!
I just got got to get hubby out there with me and get the relay removed from the heater and shipped out. If he won't I guess I will have to just do it myself. Before marking the wires I will take out the good old digital camera and take a picture of how it looks in the car. I did find out this was a blessing when going back and reinstalling new or rebuilt parts.

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