Rank: Advanced Member
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Joined: 9/10/2007(UTC)
Posts: 9,586
Was thanked: 2 time(s) in 2 post(s)
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No have never seen a cal rod heater short, probably the compressor, ohm meter test will not show anything, but 115 volt test will.
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/4/2011(UTC)
Posts: 13
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OK, as expected... The circuit breaker tripped again.
But I'm closer!
After disconnecting the heater, the short is gone...
I measured it and it has something like 25Ω so the heater itself is OK, the problem is the reading I get between either prong and earth which varies but it's like 10-20MΩ, sometimes a bit less.
I moved the heater a little and the reading went away but if I move it a little it comes back. The two cables are OK, they are isolated and do not touch earth, but it seems the body pipe itself is conducting as it touches the radiator. I left it in a position that does not trip, but I believe I will have troubles in the future if it moves a little bit for some reason... I tried disconnecting the earth in that section as a possible solution but it seems it comes anyway from the bottom, through the pipe that comes from the compressor...
So all the illogical stuff I was seeing before is not so illogical in the end... :D
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Senior Expert
Joined: 9/10/2007(UTC)
Posts: 9,586
Was thanked: 2 time(s) in 2 post(s)
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It sure seems like there is a short in the heater, I would just replace it, or at least remove it and look for a burnt spot.
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/4/2011(UTC)
Posts: 13
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Tried removing the heater but it is in the back of the radiator and I couldn't pull it out through the sides, didn't try too much, maybe I should push it down and out?
It does not seem to be shorted out, though, I think 30 ohms is a good reading. Maybe I could isolate it from the radiator by placing ceramic spacers. I will follow it and see what I do when the generated ice trips the circuit breaker again :D
Thank you once again, richappy, you're a great person.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Senior Expert
Joined: 9/10/2007(UTC)
Posts: 9,586
Was thanked: 2 time(s) in 2 post(s)
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You are welcome, intermittent problems like this can be frustrating.
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/4/2011(UTC)
Posts: 13
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Indeed, frustrating. Today I woke up and again had no power in the house. I removed the earth connection to the fridge temporarily so I can keep my stuff cool, and will take the heater out for inspection as time permits. Maybe I paint it with high temperature paint for some isolation.
Will make sure to not touch the fridge in bare foot while the heater operates!! :D
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