Coleman Propane Portable Water Heater

[yelonutz]

I recently tore into my Coleman water heater. The low battery light came on but when I plugged in the charger the charge light would not come on. I bought a new charger and it checks out ok. I have also installed a new battery. While working on it I heard a rattle from inside. I removed the control knob and turned it upside down and shook it. This little guy fell out. It is a plastic cup with a copper coil inside. I think the wires at 6 o'clock might have been connected somewhere. Do any of you have a lead to a repair manual or a contact number for a repair facility? Anybody know what this thing is? I tried Coleman but got tired of the "Push 1 if your tired of pushing all of those other farking numbers"! I have an owners manual but it is of no help. Thanks in advance.

NUTZ
PS. This thing is about the size of a nickel but thicker, about 1/4-3/8 inch.

 

[ZILLA]

That is called a Toroid. It might be an inductor or a transformer. You could actually build a new one very easy. Funny, I spent about 40 min. on the horn with Coleman yesterday trying to resolve my own issue with that POS. :doh:

 

[SmokeJumper]

That toroidal transformer is likely stepping the voltage from the plugged in power source (likely 14v auto from it's size) to a lower voltage to run the pump, charge the battery, or some other low voltage device within the device.

 

[ZILLA]

The voltage is already stepped down from 120vac to 12vac in the AC adaptor. The rectifier circuit is built on the PCB in the unit. I suspect it's part of the filter circuit and must be a toroidal inductor.

 

[SmokeJumper]

I just looked up the specs on the Coleman website and the internal pump runs at 6v. I wonder where the step down from 12v to 6v occurs. But it certainly could be an inductor.

 

[yelonutz]

You guys speaking english?

NUTZ

 

[landarc]

Nutz, more ale and it will all make sense. I recommend the Southern Hemisphere Harvest ale.

 

[JiveTurkey]

That pic looks like a close up of a cats arse.

 

[yelonutz]

Nutz, more ale and it will all make sense. I recommend the Southern Hemisphere Harvest ale.

Finished my Torpedos a while ago so I poured a big Margarita. Costco run tomorrow. Reading all that stuff makes me feel like I'm at a Star Trek convention . I just wanna find out where to take this damn thing to get it fixed or find out if it is spare parts!
P.S. Happy birthday Big Guy!!

NUTZ

 

[yelonutz]

That pic looks like a close up of a cats arse.

In real life, it smells just a bit better!

NUTZ

 

[yelonutz]

Zilla, how about sharing that phone number? All the ones I call are recordings.

NUTZ

 

[ZILLA]

This is the number I used and then had to wade through a phone que that was several layers deep. You eventually get to a rep after some time on hold.

1-800-835-3278

 

[ZILLA]

I just looked up the specs on the Coleman website and the internal pump runs at 6v. I wonder where the step down from 12v to 6v occurs. But it certainly could be an inductor.

I can only see two leads which is why I think it's an inductor. A transformer would need four. As far as droping the voltage from 12v to 6v there are several ways that can be accomplished cheaply. I'd guess a simple resistive voltage divider with the other 6 heading off somewhere else. I would think that a toroidal transformer cost too much for this peice of equipment. I guess if I really wanted to know I'd go an remove the five screws that hold mine together and see. :becky: It's more fun to armchair right now.