HEATER HELP ~ do heaters lose the heat output over time?

ZoWhat · Dec 17, 2019

HEATER HELP ~ do heaters lose the heat output over time?

For example.... I have two 5yr old 150w heaters hidden along the back wall. Since Fall im.seeing thru Apex they are ON more than I ever remember.

Due to their age.... could they be not outputting heat like they use to?

.

lapin · Dec 17, 2019

Yes.
The material used for the heating element will oxidize with use.
When current is passed thru the material an oxide layer forms on the outside when it is first heated up this prevents rapid oxidization with use . Over time it will break down and not be as efficient.

ZoWhat · Dec 17, 2019

lapin said:
Yes.
The material used for the heating element will oxidize with use.
When current is passed thru the material an oxide layer forms on the outside when it is first heated up this prevents rapid oxidization with use . Over time it will break down and not be as efficient.

So with that said.... what's the best 150-250w replacements.

Anyone have reviews?

lapin · Dec 17, 2019

I like these myself. I cannot say they are the best heater. They do come in different sizes.
JBJ True Temp Titanium Heater w/Digital Controller & Remote Probe

ca1ore · Dec 17, 2019

That’s interesting, I’d never heard of heaters losing capacity. Do they draw less wattage I wonder?

MichaelReefer · Dec 17, 2019

I have this one. Works dang good so far.

Finnex TH-U 800W Titanium Heating Tube and Digital Controller Kit | Premium Aquatics

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lapin · Dec 17, 2019

ca1ore said:
That’s interesting, I’d never heard of heaters losing capacity. Do they draw less wattage I wonder?

I think we see most failures as complete failures. How many would notice if their heaters were coming on more often. That could be a sign of a failure about to happen. Ill bet the aquarium heater manufactures have a good idea of what the most common points of failure are. Could be excessive voltage, control failure, excess heat, breakdown of the outer casing surrounding the element, connection failure or oxidation.
Prob not much data on aquarium heaters as they dont cause fires...

https://goodsonengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ISFI-Abstract_Heating-Element-Failures.pdf

ca1ore · Dec 17, 2019

I agree about total failure, but I wonder with apex, whether one would see declining performance in energy usage. For example, I have an EBJ 300 on one of my EB832 outlets. It nominally draws 275 watts, and has for the year I’ve had it. Would I see 275 declining to 250, and then lower, as the heater loses capacity? I’m no physics expert certainly, but since energy must be conserved, presumably a declining heater would show as consuming less juice.

Apologies to the OP for the rabbit hole ....

lapin · Dec 17, 2019

For a deeper hole. Maybe less output for the same current?

Now back to our original programming:

HEATER HELP ~ do heaters lose the heat output over time?

For example.... I have two 5yr old 150w heaters hidden along the back wall. Since Fall im.seeing thru Apex they are ON more than I ever remember.

Due to their age.... could they be not outputting heat like they use to?

DCR · Dec 17, 2019

ca1ore said:
I agree about total failure, but I wonder with apex, whether one would see declining performance in energy usage. For example, I have an EBJ 300 on one of my EB832 outlets. It nominally draws 275 watts, and has for the year I’ve had it. Would I see 275 declining to 250, and then lower, as the heater loses capacity? I’m no physics expert certainly, but since energy must be conserved, presumably a declining heater would show as consuming less juice.

Apologies to the OP for the rabbit hole ....

I agree. The power and the current would have to be falling. Power equals voltage times current. Presumably the resistance in the heater is increasing which is causing the reduced current and effectively derating the heater.