Aquarium Water Heater Heating Pad Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

                          1 - 2 hours

Sections

Heating pad
13 steps

Flags

Incorrect Tools

Help make this guide better by using the correct tools in images and/or text.

BackAquarium
Full Screen
Options
History
Save to Favorites
Download PDF
Edit
Translate
Get Shareable Link
Embed This Guide
Notify Me of Changes
Stop Notifications

Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Heating pad

Unplug the device from the outlet and let the heater cool down for 5-10 minutes.
Remove the heater from the aquarium.
The glass of this aquarium heater will not crack for this model. Some other heater models may crack.
Using a toothbrush and running water, thoroughly scrub the aquarium heater to remove any dirt and grime.
Dry the heater with a paper towel.

Unplug the device from the outlet and let the heater cool down for 5-10 minutes.

Remove the heater from the aquarium.

The glass of this aquarium heater will not crack for this model. Some other heater models may crack.

Using a toothbrush and running water, thoroughly scrub the aquarium heater to remove any dirt and grime.

Dry the heater with a paper towel.

1024

Step 2

Move the thermostat switch to the end or to the farthest point it can go.
The direction you turn it, does not matter.
Using a visible colored Sharpie (depending on the color of your device), mark a line as a reference point. As this will not wipe off easily, you will be able to realign any deviations if necessary.

Move the thermostat switch to the end or to the farthest point it can go.

The direction you turn it, does not matter.

Using a visible colored Sharpie (depending on the color of your device), mark a line as a reference point. As this will not wipe off easily, you will be able to realign any deviations if necessary.

Step 3

Be sure you are wearing gloves.
A nylon spudger or opening tool is recommended for this step, even though a screwdriver is shown in the photo.
Starting near the bottom , slide the opening tool in between the plastic halves of the heater’s dial.
Once the tool is in between the two plastic halves, slowly slide the tool up until either the halves separate or you hit a plastic depression clamp.
If you have hit the depression clamp, slightly bend the half to see if you can detach the clamp. If you cannot, slightly pull out the opening tool just enough to slide it above the depression clamp while prying the plastic halves apart.
Push downward and at a slight angle to detach the depression clamp and the plastic cover.

Be sure you are wearing gloves.

A nylon spudger or opening tool is recommended for this step, even though a screwdriver is shown in the photo.

Starting near the bottom , slide the opening tool in between the plastic halves of the heater’s dial.

Once the tool is in between the two plastic halves, slowly slide the tool up until either the halves separate or you hit a plastic depression clamp.

If you have hit the depression clamp, slightly bend the half to see if you can detach the clamp. If you cannot, slightly pull out the opening tool just enough to slide it above the depression clamp while prying the plastic halves apart.

Push downward and at a slight angle to detach the depression clamp and the plastic cover.

Step 4

This is one of the slowest steps in the process. Take caution since the glass can crack or shatter if done too aggressively.
Step requires gloves.
With two spudgers or opening tools, one small and the other large, carefully and slowly place the smaller one between the rubber stopper and the glass tube. Next, slowly apply pressure with a prying action to free the rubber stopper. Repeat around the stopper to eventually detach it.
Once a small portion is lifted continue the prying step, with the larger opener.
Stop when about 60%-75% of the rubber stopper is sticking out.

This is one of the slowest steps in the process. Take caution since the glass can crack or shatter if done too aggressively.

Step requires gloves.

With two spudgers or opening tools, one small and the other large, carefully and slowly place the smaller one between the rubber stopper and the glass tube. Next, slowly apply pressure with a prying action to free the rubber stopper. Repeat around the stopper to eventually detach it.

Once a small portion is lifted continue the prying step, with the larger opener.

Stop when about 60%-75% of the rubber stopper is sticking out.

Step 5

Without twisting or turning, slowly apply a pulling force to separate the glass tube from the core components of the water heater.
Pulling too fast and too hard can damage the components of the heating element.

Without twisting or turning, slowly apply a pulling force to separate the glass tube from the core components of the water heater.

Pulling too fast and too hard can damage the components of the heating element.

Step 6

Locate the foam insert and carefully separate it from the heating pad.
Remove the foam insert.

Locate the foam insert and carefully separate it from the heating pad.

Remove the foam insert.

Step 7

Desolder the two power connections by referring to the attached photo.
Ensure you are wearing gloves and eye protection while in a well ventilated area. Fumes may be harmful if accidentally inhaled. If you are unfamiliar with soldering refer to this guide.

Desolder the two power connections by referring to the attached photo.

Ensure you are wearing gloves and eye protection while in a well ventilated area. Fumes may be harmful if accidentally inhaled. If you are unfamiliar with soldering refer to this guide.

Step 8

Bend the heating pad back while applying light pressure to the chip to assist separating the two components.
There is a high risk of burning your fingers, so make sure to use proper hand and eye protection such as gloves and goggles.
Start heating the top pin until it is liquefied and detachable. Remove the pin and set it aside. Repeat this process for the second pin.

Bend the heating pad back while applying light pressure to the chip to assist separating the two components.

There is a high risk of burning your fingers, so make sure to use proper hand and eye protection such as gloves and goggles.

Start heating the top pin until it is liquefied and detachable. Remove the pin and set it aside. Repeat this process for the second pin.

Step 9

Remove any old solder by melting and slightly scraping it off.
Insert the new heating element pin into the circuit board hole. Then push and flatten the heating pad.
Next, heat the pin to melt new solder to fuse the pin and the board together. Repeat this step for the other side.
Once finished, slide the circuit board chip back into the plastic housing of the heater.

Remove any old solder by melting and slightly scraping it off.

Insert the new heating element pin into the circuit board hole. Then push and flatten the heating pad.

Next, heat the pin to melt new solder to fuse the pin and the board together. Repeat this step for the other side.

Once finished, slide the circuit board chip back into the plastic housing of the heater.

Step 10

Hold the heating pad down to position the chip inside the housing. You may need to press the wires down to close the casing. Repeat this process again for the other cable.

Hold the heating pad down to position the chip inside the housing. You may need to press the wires down to close the casing. Repeat this process again for the other cable.

Step 11

Re-insert the foam insert back into the heating pad.
Compress the heating core enough to fit back into the glass tube. Stop inserting once you hit the rubber stopper.
The fit should be tight.
Once you get to the chip, make sure there is enough clearance to avoid damaging it.

Re-insert the foam insert back into the heating pad.

Compress the heating core enough to fit back into the glass tube. Stop inserting once you hit the rubber stopper.

The fit should be tight.

Once you get to the chip, make sure there is enough clearance to avoid damaging it.

Step 12

To easily reinsert the rubber stopper, it is recommended to use a form of grease.
Apply pressure until the rubber stopper is fully depressed.

To easily reinsert the rubber stopper, it is recommended to use a form of grease.

Apply pressure until the rubber stopper is fully depressed.

Step 13

Reattach the plastic housing, making sure that the previously marked heating switch is properly aligned.

Reattach the plastic housing, making sure that the previously marked heating switch is properly aligned.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

Author

                                      with 4 other contributors

                    chris mui

Member since: 07/08/2020

339 Reputation

                                      1 Guide authored                  



                       Badges:
                       5







                                                        +2 more badges

Team

                       York University, Team S1-G36, Allen Summer 2020                        

                                                  Member of York University, Team S1-G36, Allen Summer 2020 



                    YORK-ALLEN-SU20S1G36                     


                                            1 Member                     


                                            1 Guide authored

Incorrect Tools#

Introduction#

What you need#

Team#

Incorrect Tools

Introduction

What you need

Team