I have a duracraft , Oil filled electric heater Model CZ-600
Its elements are 600 and 900 watt.
Its amperage is 12.5 on the manufacture plate.
It dose not give out the heat that it used to.
I put my amp meter on the 600 element and it was drawing 4.6 dropping to 4.5 .
The 900 watt was drawing 7.6 then drops to 7.5, 7.4 an fluctuates up and down staying in the same range.7.6,7.5,7.4,7.5,7.6
When I take the amperage of both elements together ,the reading is 11.5.
It is suppose to be 12.5.
What is your thoughts on this.
Do I need to replace the heating element?
Thank you for your advice.

Steven, December 2009

Good Day,
I drained the oil and have filtered it.
Should I reuse the oil drained and filtered or should I replace it with new oil and what kind of oil is used for this and where an it be purchased.
Thank you, Sincerely Steven

Steven, December 2009

Les,
Thanks for the reply and it is 120 volts.
I thank you,I had never even thought of that,sludge that is.
A few yrs back I tested the element and even took it out and stopped using it because I was not sure what the trouble could be.
Its been on High the past 24 hrs or longer and you can put your hand on it for awhile before it becomes uncomfortable to the touch.
I think I have some paint straining funnels in the garage from A paint job I did on my truck a few yrs back that would be ideal for straining the oil if needed.
I'll drain, it then flush it out and strain the oil if needed.
What oil should be used to top it off.
Thanks Sincerely Steven

Steven, December 2009

Steven,
I asume that your voltage is 110v (not 230 volts which will give much higher figures as watts = volts x amps) this will be giving you 503 watts and 836 watts. I don't think this is your problem.

Try running your hand down the heater from the top. Is it cooler at the top, if so the oil may need toping up as you will have air at the top.

If this is not the case you may have sludge at the bottom of the radiator and the oil will need changing and the sludge removing.

Les, December 2009