Replies

1. 
   Daninvan | Jun 10, 2012 09:37pm | #2

   Intertherm/Cadet/EBHN Hydronic Basebaord heater - Leak Repair

   Sorry, I got caught up the spam filter so thought I break my posting into smaller parts to see if that would work.

   It also eventually started making hissing and other strange noises that it never did before, but it still seems to work. Painting the room shortly, so I finally took it off the wall and had a closer look at it.

   I'd like to replace it, but looks like Intertherm is no longer in business. Cadet and EBHN seem to be the players now. It looks like they are the same company, and their products look identical, so I don't know what's going on there. In any case, I need a 24" unit, which neither of them make. 36" is the smallest I could find.

1. 
   Daninvan | Jun 10, 2012 09:36pm | #1

   So I am thinking I would repair it. Which would also be way cheaper too. It is leaking not at the thermostat end luckily, but at the other end. In fact there is a strange dead-end return above the radiator part of it, which has a plug in in and that is where the leak is. I think a bit of solder will probably do the trick.

    

   I am comfortable with a blowtorch, a soldering iron, and household wiring, so I'm fine with the task of trying to repair it.

   The material that leaked out, as it dried left a waxy deposit. I see that the Cadet website claims that they now use a "safer - non toxic material" for the hydronic fluid. This bothers me a bit, does this mean my older one has a less safe and toxic material in it?

    

   Anyways, that takes me to my question, which is what should I top up the fluid with? I want to do so in the hope that it will stop making the weird noises if it is filled up again. It was never designed to be refilled, so the Cadet website does not say what the fluid is. I am thinking of just using water. Anyone have any better suggestions?

    

   Dan

1. 
   Cadet Technical Support | Jun 11, 2012 07:31pm | #3

   Intertherm Softheat Baseboard

   Dan,

   Sorry to hear your Intertherm Softheat baseboard is leaking.  These hydronic heaters are factory filled and not repairable.  The fill solution of the EBHA was a glycol/water mix, at prescribed levels. Element repairs are not recommended and could create an unsafe condition.

   However, the new, improved Cadet EBHN was designed for greater reliability, improved durability, easier installation, and has the lowest surface temperatures available!  The heating element has a new fill process that significantly improves the long-term product reliability.  Left and right hand wiring options are now available, but 24" units have not been manufactured for quite some time (35" is the smallest currently available).  If you don't have space for a 35" unit, we do offer a 24" 2F350 standard baseboard.  Here's a link to both units.

   http://www.cadetco.com/show_product.php?prodid=1010

   http://www.cadetco.com/show_product.php?prodid=1004

   Safety is built in to all of our products.  Baseboard heaters have oversized high temperature limit switches with a full length capillary sensor tube for auto shut-off in over temperature conditions.  Heater cabinets are powder coated for durability.  I hope this answers all of your questions.

   Cadet Technical Support

2. 
   Daninvan | Jun 12, 2012 12:48am | #4

   Intertherm leak

   Cadet,

   Thank you for the reply. That's all good news about the great new improved product. But as you noted and I had already observed in my initial post, a 24" hydronic unit is no longer made. So I am still looking to try and repair mine, I am not interested in a standard unit.

   One other question I do have for you, where can I get the MSDS for the fluid that is in my 15 year old unit? As it is leaking out into the house and we have young children, naturally I am concerned about how safe the material that has been leaking out is. Thank you in advance for letting me know where I can get this.

   I have read about propelene glycol being non-toxic, somewhat readily available, and a popular fluid used in hydronic systems. I think I will have a go and look for some of that to top it up.

   The good news is that the fluid volume level is not that important obviously, it has been leaking for years and still works. In fact I am tempted to just tighten up the plug and see what happens this winter. I suspect the hissing and leaking will stop, not sure about the tic'ing though, my guess is that with the reduced fluid volumes the metal is heating up / cooling down more quickly than it was with proper volume.

   I imagine if I fill it up so that there is minimal/no fluid in the compression chamber, it would work fine for another 15 years. Not too worried about freezing, living on the west coast!

   Cheers,

   Dan

1. 
   Cadet Technical Support | Jun 13, 2012 05:07pm | #5

   Dan,

   Please call Cadet Technical Support at 360.567.1395 so that we can discuss.

   Best Regards,

   Cadet Technical Support