Reptile Heating Help - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Herpgal
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 08:52:05 pm
content: Hi, my husband made some kind of electronic part that connects a programmable thermostat to an electric oil filled heater. There's a box with a relay in it with all the wiring and he added a tiny radio shack fan to the box to cool the interior down when the heater is running.He died in a plane crash over 8 years ago and just this past week, the fan started making noises.I'm sure the axle or whatever its running on is just worn out, but the metal axle is getting hot. Bottom line, I found a new fan to replace it.I don't know anything about electronics, but I need to get this fixed or my reptiles won't be warm enough.First question: the fan has both a black wire and a red wire. I took it off and didn't look which was connected where. Will I damage the unit if I hook the the wires up wrong? I think I know how it goes, but I am not 100% positive.Two: How do I connect the fan wires to the disconnectors? I stripped about a 1/4 inch off the ends of each, but the still seem so think compared to the size of the hole on the disconnector. Should I strip more and fold it or twist it together to make it larger.Do I push the wires in all the way until they come out the other end? Or leave the wire somewhere in the middle of the area?Should I solder the wires in disconnector once I'm done?How much heat will these disconnectors take? How high a temperature? It does get pretty warm when the radiator is on?I've uploaded a photo of the contraption. At least, I tried to get a photo uploaded. The two males ends that need to be connected to the fan on the bottom. So do I connect the black wire with the connector that has the black wire on the other side or do I connect the black wire with the side that has the white wire connected?I am so lost and the thought of a fire happening because I did the wrong is so scary. Any help is gratefully appreciated. Thank you so much!

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 08:58:24 pm
content: The black is negative, the white positive, on your fan black will be negative and white positive. Yes you need to double the wire up so that it is thick enough to crimp into the tags. To be honest the best thing is to get someone who knows about this sort of thing to do it.

author: Herpgal
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 09:23:01 pm
content: Believe me, if I knew anyone at all here who could help me, I get someone. But I don't even know how to advertise for this kind of help. So Black to black and white to red? (Fan has only red and black.) And strip off enough wire to fold up and make thick enough for adequate contact then crimped?Thanks for your help. I'm going to run the heater and watch the temps inside the box. I turned it off when it hit 112 last time, but they should be good for a bit higher temp, right?

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 09:25:57 pm
content: yes, looks like the terminals unscrew, you could clamp the wire under the tabs after loosening the screws. The disconnectors whih i assume are the tab connectors on the end of the wire are crimped, so in theory you need new ones and a crimp tool.

author: Herpgal
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 09:37:02 pm
content: So I should run the wires completely through the disconnector, unscrew the terminals and wrap the wire around it, and also crimp the wires in the disconnector as well?

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 09:50:38 pm
content: no, ideally you need to crimp new "disconnectors" to the new fan wires, failing that you could clamp them under the screws.

author: Herpgal
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 09:54:30 pm
content: Got it! Thank you very much!

author: Herpgal
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 09:56:57 pm
content: One more question, would it help if I soldered the wires/disconnector? Thanks.

author: Herpgal
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 11:58:21 pm
content: I got it replaced, it runs and it's only about 95 degrees in the box now so all is good.I really appreciate your help, thanks.