Control of output of electric convector heater (skirting board heater).

fifthofwhisky

I have a panel type electric convector heater with 500W output and no heat control. Basically the output is too high and I'd like to reduce it to say 200W or so. Would it be possible to fit a voltage regulator (or similar control) with a knob to adjust the output? 

rob7475

Can you give more details of the make / model?
Another option would be to fit a thermostat - rather than reducing the output, it would automatically turn it on/off depending on room temperature.
I've got a plinth heater in my kitchen. My kitchen is south facing so gets warmer than the rest of the house so I installed a Salus RT300RF which the plinth heater is wired into. This effectively creates a separate zone for the kitchen which knocks the heater off sooner than the rest of the house.

fifthofwhisky

I think the brand is Glen. I tried a thermostat but what I'd prefer to do is to reduce the power level since I'd like a constant low-level output (like a greenhouse tube heater).

Moss5

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MASUNN-E44000W-Variable-Controller-Temperature/dp/B074Z48BSW/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6MAPWD8681B2YXQ3Z33M
Something like this (if your heater has a 13A 3-pin plug.
You would have to cut the foreign plug off and fit a UK 13A plug.

RelievedSheff

Or something like this (again assuming it has a standard 3 pin plug). Just set the plug to whatever temperature you want to room and it will turn on and off as required.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Elixir-Gardens-Thermo-Guard-Digital-Thermostat/dp/B00IRCKIL4

nofoollikeold

1. If you don't want a thermostat, use something like a power tool speed controller or, given its only 500 watts, an ordinary light dimmer switch.  Get one rated for a bit more than 500 W, say 600 W.  Mount it into a surface mounted pattress with strain relief on input and output cables.
2, They work by "chopping" the power so could easily do what you want, providing a lower level of constant heat.

fifthofwhisky

Thanks all. Would something like this do the job? 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yosoo-Control-Controller-Adjustable-Regulator/dp/B010S8K9I6?pd_rd_w=JMkCM&pf_rd_p=243fcdf9-2970-4b50-8a21-b929733c8b37&pf_rd_r=7YH97DM8CXG81JS86XP2&pd_rd_r=8deb4ca3-2d10-4267-9f52-474d5175d3c0&pd_rd_wg=4cYA9

nofoollikeold

Should do, but you'd have to put it in a decent sized box (ventilation) and provide an earthing point and strain relief on the input and output cables.  Have a look for electrical enclosures.  
This operates at mains voltages, so you'd have to really know what you are doing to enclose it and wire it up safely.

fifthofwhisky

nofoollikeold said:

Should do, but you'd have to put it in a decent sized box (ventilation) and provide an earthing point and strain relief on the input and output cables.  Have a look for electrical enclosures.  
This operates at mains voltages, so you'd have to really know what you are doing to enclose it and wire it up safely.

Thanks for pointing that out. Noted.