Can I bend the element in a Creda storage heater?

[88v8]

Creda storage heater with the kettle-type elements.... Heats up, but not very much.
Took apart, buzzed the old elements, one is OK the other is bust. Very twisted and the outer casing is burned. The one that still works is also twisted.

I noticed that the old elements were too wide to fit in the recesses of the bricks ... yes, the bricks are the right way round. Hard to say how much too wide, as they're so distorted.

The new elements are also a bit too wide, perhaps half an inch. Can I bend them slightly so they sit snugly in the brick recess?

Ivor

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Think this is one for the sparkies. Mods may be able to move it to the electrics forum for you.

 

[88v8]

Thankyou.
I posted it in Appliances now.

Meanwhile, the eBay seller of the elements advises that I can indeed bend them. I was surprised, I expected him to sit on the fence or give no reply, so take a bow Spares4Homes.

Off now to do some bending.

Be interesting thugh to see what the sparkies say.

Ivor

 

[Robin0577]

You should be able to bend them a small amount if you are gentle, but if you kink the tube then you've had it and you'll have to start again with a new one.

 

[88v8]

Yes, I did. Then buzzed them, and they're OK.
So tomorrow we should be warm again. I hope.

Thankyou.

 

[Agile]

I doubt the makers recommend doing that.

If you did then its best to heat them to a dull red with a gas blowlamp before bending!

Tony

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

I doubt the makers recommend doing that.
If you did then its best to heat them to a dull red with a gas blowlamp before bending!
Tony

Then get the asbestos hands out!

 

[88v8]

Well, I seem to have got away with it. All heated up this morning.
I did bend them very gently. Agree with the point about annealing if there's much bending to do.

Ivor

 

[333rocky333]

They bend more than people realise,

They are like pyro cable the internal material is packed so tight they bend cold without collapsing.

We used to do catering and the elements were supplied straight and we were expected to bend them to fit appliances .

I always doubted it till i recently removed some old storage heater elements and bent them excessively more than normal and found not one collapsed or was damaged, so keep nice curves and a suitable radius and there usually fine.
If you still have the faulty element try it on that