Is Wiring of Kat's Circulating Tank Heater Adequate for Amperage Draw
Question:
I was using this heater for 3 months this winter and it ended up setting my car on fire. I have a 50/50 coolant water mix an one ordinary day im alerted by a passing driver that my car is on fire. After investigating i found out that the cord coming out of the heater is underrated for 1500 watts, it got too hot and set my plastic belly pan on fire. about 1/4 inch clearance between heater cable coming out of the bottom and my belly pan This caused significant damage to my car so im not too pleased. Why is this heater not using 10 gauge wire to be safe? Car is a VW Jetta TDI Diesel
asked by: Tony T
Expert Reply:
I'm really sorry to hear about your vehicle catching on fire. I can't even imagine how stressful that would be. I ran this by a guy who was an electrician in a past life though and for the 12.5 amps that this heater draws 10 gauge wire would be more than adequate.10 gauge wire at 12 volts can pretty easily handle 30 amps so 12.5 amps would be no problem at all. He thought that there must have been a short that caused the fire. This could have been due to an issue with the heater potentially but the wiring gauge itself would not have been the problem.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Kat's Heaters Thermostatically Controlled Circulating Tank Heater - 120V - 1,500 Watts
- Vehicle Heaters
- Circulating Heater
- External Tank
- 120 Volts
- 1500 Watts
- 26 - 40 Quart Cooling System
- Kats Heaters
more information >
Continue Researching
- Q&A: How Does Kats Circulating Tank Heater KH13150 Install
- Article: How to Mount a Truck Bed Camper
- Q&A: Timbren Axle-Less Trailer Suspension System w/ Electric Brake Hubs to Replace 2800 lbs Dexter Axle
- Q&A: What Are Exterior Dimensions of DeeZee Combo Auxiliary Tank # DZ91741X
- Article: Stability Control for Heavy Duty Vehicles
- Q&A: How to Keep Head of Demco Hijacker Autoslide Hitch Lubricated for Smooth Operation
- Q&A: Will I Have Enough Clearance to Tow a Fifth Wheel Trailer with 2015 Ram 2500 with Sleeper Shell
- Q&A: Does Weight of Fifth Wheel Hitch Count as Payload in 2019 Ram 2500 with OEM Rail Kit
- Q&A: Does Truck with 6-1/2 ft bed Have to Use Slider Hitch for Turning Clearance with Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Article: Ram Trailer Tow Prep Package
- Article: Gooseneck to 5th Wheel Adapters
- Article: Performance Chips and Modules
- Article: Types of Bumpers
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)