Storage heater control knob broken

Kelly kay · Post by **Kelly kay** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 1:25 pm

I have a storage heater, it says its a newlec NLSH12MN. I turned the control knob and it snapped. I had a spare control knob but when it snapped bits of plasic went down into the unit.

I am not sure if its safe to use it now. Some of the plasic went down to where the vents are but one bit went further. Do you think its safe to use?

If not do you think its just a case of taking the front off and fishing out the plastic?

I dont know how to get the front off there are no obvious screws, can this be done and is it safe?

Thanks

Kelly kay · Post by **Kelly kay** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 1:28 pm

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Kelly kay · Post by **Kelly kay** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 1:33 pm

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Kelly kay · Post by **Kelly kay** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 1:33 pm

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Kelly kay · Post by **Kelly kay** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 1:34 pm

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kellys_eye · Post by **kellys_eye** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 3:05 pm

There will be two screws under the bottom edge of the front cover. Remove those and the cover lifts off from the bottom (and upwards).

Please ensure it is turned off at the wall before doing this.

Kelly kay · Post by **Kelly kay** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 3:12 pm

kellys_eye wrote: ↑Fri Dec 11, 2020 3:05 pm There will be two screws under the bottom edge of the front cover. Remove those and the cover lifts off from the bottom (and upwards).

Please ensure it is turned off at the wall before doing this.

Thank you for your help, i did see there were 2 screws. Do you think it will be safe to do this? Just worried in case there is asbestos?

kellys_eye · Post by **kellys_eye** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 3:19 pm

Not asbestos but a not-very-nice fluffy stuff so try to avoid messing with it.

The heater elements are usually inside the storage bricks and not accessible even to bits of plastic you may have dropped inside. If the bits are anywhere they will still be at the top of the unit. The plastic shouldn't melt even if it rests against the bricks anyway. Those knobs have a habit of breaking - they get brittle from the heat/cool cycles.

It's no big deal to remove the cover, just put it back the way it comes off - it really can only fit 'one way' so if the screws don't align then you've put the lid on wrong.

Kelly kay · Post by **Kelly kay** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 4:09 pm

kellys_eye wrote: ↑Fri Dec 11, 2020 3:19 pm Not asbestos but a not-very-nice fluffy stuff so try to avoid messing with it.

The heater elements are usually inside the storage bricks and not accessible even to bits of plastic you may have dropped inside. If the bits are anywhere they will still be at the top of the unit. The plastic shouldn't melt even if it rests against the bricks anyway. Those knobs have a habit of breaking - they get brittle from the heat/cool cycles.

It's no big deal to remove the cover, just put it back the way it comes off - it really can only fit 'one way' so if the screws don't align then you've put the lid on wrong.

Thanks very much for your advice, very helpful indeed

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 5:39 pm

Even if there was asbestos it's nothing to worry about, it's when it is damaged / cut that it breaks into fine particles that are a problem