Stealth 50W heater

D

dafishman

AC Members
Aug 3, 2010
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Okay, so I thought I'd heard something about Stealth heaters having issues, so I went and googled them, finding all kinds of horror stories about tanks exploding. Here's the numbers off of my heater, if anyone can help me.

120v-60 Hz
ETP50-50W
E64989
EQUIP.283T-T1
0308

It says its made in Italy, and isn't the Pro series, so as far as I can tell, isn't the same set that was having issues. (Pro Series, which were manufactured in China)

Will this heater be subject to sudden and catastrophic failure?
 
The fundamental problem with the Stealth heater by design is that it uses a plastic sleeve as a heat conductor in order to provide a shatter proof heater over tempered glass models. Unfortunatly economical plastics make poor heat conductors but very good insulators, poor for heat transfer efficiency and poor to sink heat away from internal electronics quick enough to prevent electronic insulators (plastics) from overheating and gassing off fumes over time. Since the unit is sealed air tight these gasses build until the unit ruptures from the inside out. Anyone knows what it is like to try and drink hot liquid from a cocktail glass becasue glass conducts heat so well to your burning hand making it one of the best for quick heat transfer.
 
So I'm better to just toss it, and/or try to get it changed out for something better? The thing is, it's second-hand, and worked when last used, so I don't know if I have many options as far as return/exchange goes.
 
If its any consolation I have 2 old stealth of 8 glass that I have been using without problems for 2 years, but then again because I live in the SW the demand on the heater is not so great. I would not be surprised if mine bloat and rupture soon, but until then I'm going to use them, and after that I will not be buying anymore plastic covered heaters.:grinno:
 
Stealths made in Italy are fine. It's the Chinese ones that are dangerous.
 
O_O that's not good. My 50 watt stealth pro was made in china. this is the 5th thread I've seen in a day about this stuff happening. I ended up emailing marineland about the safety and how to get it replaced, but still haven't gotten an answer back, and it has been 12 hours....
 
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