Silent Night Electric Blanket- Control unit Repair

[Wcripps]

Hi Guys,

Can anyone identify these two blown parts here? I’d like to resolder 2 replacements but as I hate throwing things away. I think they’re resistors but not sure what the wattage. Also if anyone could shed any light and the resistors going pop and the thermal fuse seemingly staying intact that would be cool.

Thanks!

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Have you tried measuring them?, they look to have run hot, but don't look 'fried' - they are quite possibly OK, and the blanket itself has failed.

 

[Ben There]

I have a blanket with a very similar brd. Measure the resistors. I don’t remember the values, but mine were still good and the same value. The problem is the white axial device between them. It is a thermal fuse that opens on over-temp. Measure it, open if bad. Replace it with the same temp for safety. Then, don’t use the blanket over level 2 and it shouldn’t fail again. I went thru this 3x and it’s still working for me. Level 2 is warm enough. My blanket has 4 setting levels.

 

[Wcripps]

I have a blanket with a very similar brd. Measure the resistors. I don’t remember the values, but mine were still good and the same value. The problem is the white axial device between them. It is a thermal fuse that opens on over-temp. Measure it, open if bad. Replace it with the same temp for safety. Then, don’t use the blanket over level 2 and it shouldn’t fail again. I went thru this 3x and it’s still working for me. Level 2 is warm enough. My blanket has 4 setting levels.

Thanks I’ll measure the resistors, hopefully they are ok. If the thermal fuse allows a current to pass through does that mean it’s broken?
Thanks again

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Thanks I’ll measure the resistors, hopefully they are ok. If the thermal fuse allows a current to pass through does that mean it’s broken?
Thanks again

No, if it passes current (i.e. near to zero ohms) then it's good - if it reads high resistance (or O/C) then it's blown. The resistors are unlikely to be faulty.

 

[Wcripps]

No, if it passes current (i.e. near to zero ohms) then it's good - if it reads high resistance (or O/C) then it's blown. The resistors are unlikely to be faulty.

Ok so the resistors read 1.8k ohms so they are fine. The thermal fuse reads 0 so they are fine. Perhaps the blanket itself has failed then. Bummer. At least I learned something new eh.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Ok so the resistors read 1.8k ohms so they are fine. The thermal fuse reads 0 so they are fine. Perhaps the blanket itself has failed then. Bummer. At least I learned something new eh.

Where I used to work (an electrical shop) people used to bring electric blankets in for 'servicing' - and we used to send them back to the manufacturer for it to be done.

In every single case they simply said it was too dangerous to repair, and offered a discount voucher against a new blanket.

 

[Wcripps]

Where I used to work (an electrical shop) people used to bring electric blankets in for 'servicing' - and we used to send them back to the manufacturer for it to be done.

In every single case they simply said it was too dangerous to repair, and offered a discount voucher against a new blanket.

Well that puts that to bed then, think I’ll buy a new one instead of burning the house down! Also, sad that these companies make things that can’t really be repaired

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Well that puts that to bed then, think I’ll buy a new one instead of burning the house down! Also, sad that these companies make things that can’t really be repaired

Look at the construction of an electric blanket, how do you think it's repairable, without spending considerably more than it costs to buy a new one.

Not that I would suggest people use them anyway, the entire principle isn't very safe.

 

[starLED]

On what voltage do electric blankets work?

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

On what voltage do electric blankets work?

Mains voltage - 240V here in the UK!.

I wouldn't entertain having one

 

[starLED]

Wow, it's a death trap!

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Wow, it's a death trap!

I've always thought so - particularly as they are used by the elderly, who could well have incontinence problems

 

[BR-549]

Having bad circulation, my electric blanket is a godsend. I keep spares in stock. In the future they might become very popular with all. With the cost and regulation on energy.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Having bad circulation, my electric blanket is a godsend. I keep spares in stock. In the future they might become very popular with all. With the cost and regulation on energy.

Good plan - expensive energy, waste more powering an electric blanket

 

[Diver300]

Good plan - expensive energy, waste more powering an electric blanket

In most circumstances it's a lot cheaper heating a bed with a blanket than heating a whole room.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

In most circumstances it's a lot cheaper heating a bed with a blanket than heating a whole room.

Why would you heat the bed/room?, your body heats the bed - if it's not warm enough you need a better quilt, or more blankets whatever.

 

[starLED]

Test failures prompt blanket safety call

Electric blanket safeguards have come under fire.

www.walesonline.co.uk

Death trap...

 

[soother]

Those resistors have been pretty hot. They should be squeezed up tight to the thermal fuse, and there is sometimes a blob of silicone over the top. That fuse should have opened. The resistors are monitoring the current drawn by the blanket, and it looks like there was a fault to cause overheating like that.

 

[Inquisitive]

Firewatch - NFPA Journal March April 2020

Fire incidents from across the country

www.nfpa.org

MAINE Electric blanket ignites fatal fire Two people died in an early morning house fire that began when an electric blanket ignited bedding material. A neighbor called 911 to report the fire at 2:30 a.m. The fire department began receiving additional calls while crews were en route, leading to a second alarm. A third alarm was struck after an additional update indicated that there was a confirmed entrapment. Arriving crews reported that the two-story residence was fully involved with fire. A neighbor at the scene informed crews that two people were inside and believed to be on the second floor. The first-arriving engine company pulled a handline to the side of the structure where damage was heaviest to begin fire attack. Another crew deployed a hose at the front of the house, and an additional handline was deployed by the third crew. A fourth line was eventually added after a water supply was established. The fire was too intense for crews to attempt search operations. After the fire was knocked down and visibility improved, crews located the bodies of a man and woman on the second floor. The stability of the structure was said to be heavily compromised and portions of the roof had burned off. The fire marshal responded to the scene to assist with the recovery of the bodies and conduct an investigation. The Red Cross was also contacted to assist residents of the house who had escaped the fire. Investigators determined that the fire began in a first-floor bedroom after an electric blanket burst into flames, setting fire to the mattress. Occupants reported that the house had smoke detectors and that they were activated by the fire. News reports indicated that three residents escaped the fire. All were reported to have suffered minor burn and smoke inhalation injuries, but did not seek hospital treatment. The house was a wood structure with an asphalt shingle roof. No additional information on the structure was available. The house was completely destroyed by the fire. No information was available on dollar loss amounts for the house or contents.