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Old 02-17-2011, 02:54 AM   #1
my38special
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Default Square D Heater Recall

Recently there was an unusual wave of below freezing air come through Texas so I decided to double-check my plumbing bay electric heater. Firstly, I found that the thermostat was dialed very low, so I turned it up to about 50 F. Although the amp meter instantly showed a power draw increase of about 10 amps, I decided I would still visually check the heater. I'm glad I did. I found that the heater coils were red hot but the fan wasn't turning. Eventually the overheat circuitry kicked-in and the heater cooled; however, I realized this cycle would just keep repeating and was obviously dangerous. After disconnecting the heater, I did a google and found the following recall notice for Square D heaters which were common in Vintage Newells:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml96/96102.html

I just bought a new heater and will be submitting my receipt for the promised "25% cash back for a heater of the same general design and wattage".

Those of us with heaters that look like the attachment (I have three: plumbing bay, bedroom and livingroom) should verify that they are disconnected and/or replaced.
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Old 02-17-2011, 04:30 AM   #2
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What year is your classic? I also have three of those heaters, and all three, including the water bay heater work, and have worked flawlessly so far. Just interested. Obviously, I am now concerned. Fortunately, since we live in a moderate climate (SoCal) we have not had to use the water bay heater since our trip up to Spokane Thanksgiving of 2009, and it worked great then. Don't want them to burn us up. We do, however, use the two house electric heaters often as they are a little quieter than the gas furnaces.
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Old 02-17-2011, 11:23 AM   #3
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Default Bus details

Clark,

My Newell is a 1983, 38 foot, Cummins 903, Allison 5 speed unit. I'm in the process of upgrading much of the interior and am finding numerous little problems as I do this work.

As long as you can hear the Square D fans turning, you have virtually 100% assurance that your heater is safe. For now, perhaps you should just investigate the purchasing of a new bay heater (where you can't really monitor the fan). If you're curious, I bought the stainless steel QMarK Wall 1235 heater and surface mount kit for the bay (total cost $125). There are many good options out there.
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Old 02-17-2011, 12:23 PM   #4
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Good post 38, this is what the forum is all about; owners helping owners!

Thank you!
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Old 02-17-2011, 02:07 PM   #5
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I'm not remodeling my interior so I'll have to find heaters that will fit the existing space. The 1235 does not appear to fit the existing space inside, or in the bay. I'll have to do more research. It appears there are some other Qmark heaters that might work in the space. Thank you very much for the source, and good luck with your remodel project!
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Old 02-17-2011, 05:35 PM   #6
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I replaced all of my electric heaters four years ago, with the exception of the water bay one which I have and have not put in because the one in there is working fine. I got all of them from Newell and use them often. I always run the one in the bathroom at night because they are so quite and it does not affect the sleeping.
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Old 02-17-2011, 05:58 PM   #7
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Hey Wally, who is the manufacturer of the ones you bought from Newell?
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Old 02-18-2011, 03:39 PM   #8
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This is a great "heads up". We currently are not having trouble but want to be proactive. Do you know what the difference is with the replacements? Do they have a switch or something to detect air flow prior to allowing the heater coils to come on?
Also curious if the newer ones would fit in the same opening or if the opening needs to be modified.
thanks in advance
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Old 02-18-2011, 04:43 PM   #9
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The ones I got from Newell are Cadet and all of them fit the holes of the old ones and I do not know if the old ones were Cadet's.
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Old 02-18-2011, 06:35 PM   #10
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Thanks Wally, do you have a model number? Looking for heaters that will fit the existing holes.
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Old 02-19-2011, 12:32 AM   #11
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hi, i replaced all 4 of mine. the recall on the cadets is long over and not available. mine were identical to what you show a picture of.

http://www.cadetco.com/show_product.php?prodid=1001

it will give you a list of web sites to check. they will be cheaper than newell. you do have to select what wattage you want when you wire them up.

the one in my bathroom, bedroom and bay are all the same. the one under the coach is a cadet perfectoe and required no modification. the others i had to do some minor modifications to. i also replaced the thermostats and they are cadet as well. they were all around $100 each.

they will burn up eventually. 3 of mine were doing exactly what you described.

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Old 03-21-2011, 03:23 PM   #12
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The Thermostat in the bedroom started to make noise a couple of days ago. I took the one out of the bathroom to stay warm temporarily but found a new Cadet thermostat on-line from this information.
Thanks for this posting!

ps I think that it snowed at the cabin last night, may have to stay on the road a bit longer...darn
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2007 Yukon, 1981 CJ7 Laredo, 2002 Honda CRV, 1955 Thunderbird, 1952 Pontiac Sedan Delivery, 1952 Ford 8N, 1958 Airstream, 1959 Glasspar 16' Avalon, Cabin in the Woods........what will I work on next
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Old 03-26-2011, 05:59 PM   #13
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Just got the new thermostat yesterday and got it in. It worked great all night. I Got it from Home Depot for about $15.00 and the shipping was free. It looks good so I will most likely replace all of the ones inside the coach since there are only two more and they mount in the same holes as the Chromalox.
The news ones are Cadet #T410A in Almond.
Thanks for the "heads up" and earlier link, it was timely in my case.
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2007 Yukon, 1981 CJ7 Laredo, 2002 Honda CRV, 1955 Thunderbird, 1952 Pontiac Sedan Delivery, 1952 Ford 8N, 1958 Airstream, 1959 Glasspar 16' Avalon, Cabin in the Woods........what will I work on next
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