Repairing a dehydrator

[Greenbeast]

We use a dehydrator for making dog treats that we sell. We had a fancy one that was digital and we liked. However one day the heater stopped working.
We could not get a direct replacement and in fact had to spend much more on a lesser model (because of availability), regardless of this we'd now like to upgrade our capacity anyway so i need to finally investigate repairing it. I had the forethought to pack it away and keep it safe

Firstly, how can i electrically test the element or other components? (i have a dmm)
Secondly, if it is a broken element, any ideas on how to replace it, in terms of sourcing such things?

[Fionn]

For the element, check it's series resistance and it's insulation resistance.
Plug the resistance value into ohms law to determine if it corresponds with the rated power consumption.
On replacement, eBay or AliExpress are probably the best bets.

[Greenbeast]

Many thanks

[TT]

Make and model would be good to let us see how to help or a scan of the
Manual

[Westie]

Heating elements usually fail open circuit so there would be no circuit through it .  If you have problems sourcing a replacement I've used a company called T P Fay Ltd who will manufacture one, you would just send then the old element.  Just google the name....

[Greenbeast]

Thanks all, i will dig the boxed item out tomorrow hopefully

[Greenbeast]

It's a Buffalo CD965

[knighty]

I think you;ll have to take it apart and have a look, make sure it is the heating element - it could be something simple like a thermal fuse etc

take it apart, power it on, check there's power going to the heating element


this place doesn't list dehydrators but looks to have a good selection of spares for other things made by the same people...
https://www.nisbets.co.uk/catering-appliances/spares-and-accessories/buffalo-spare-parts/_/a33-3


I couldn't find any info about the heating element... but the whole thing is 800watts so you can bet the heating element itself is 800watts (fan power will be a couple of watts max)

800watts is more than I expected... I wonder if there's multiple heating elements inside it, so it can heat on low/medium/high etc.  - this could be another point of failure :-o