Help, what was this part of an electric fire

twopenny

I have a Dimplex Yeominster electric fire.
Tonight the bulb went pop.
Got new bulb from the garage, looked at instruction manual online and replaced the bulb.
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/2927578/Dimplex-Yeominster-Yeo20.html?controller=view&page=3#manual

BUT as I lifted the thing that rotates tiny thin bits of plastic dropped into my hand.
Seems whatever it was supported it and allowed it to rotate for flickering effect. It doesn't seem to make any shape I can identify or the pieces fit together.

It's peaked on one side and there is a deep dent in the other so it is free to spin from the heat of the bulb.
There is a feature bracket where it sits.



Any ideas what shape this bit of plastic was please? 
How it sat
Could I blue tack a small tack or something to the bracket for it to sit on? Trouble with that would be every time I move the fire to dust it will drop off perhaps.

I usually just have the flame effect on to make the room look warm and cosy.

Of course it had to happen after a rubbish day when I was looking forward to snuggling down 😕

WIAWSNB

There is usually a pin there too, which is what the fan actually spins on. I guess the plastic part is a holder for this pin, which then slips on to that bracket. 
If you are remotely DIYish, it should be very possible to make summat suitable, but it will need a 'pin' pointing upwards for the fan to sit on.
So, what do you have in your garage?!
I reckon this could actually be doable with 2 or 3 inches of copper wire, as found in a cable such as 2.5T&E. Do you have such a thing?
Copper is soft, tho', so is unlikely to last well, but it'll give you and idea.
In essence, you'd wrap the wire around that bracket a few times to secure it - it should slip off sideways if wanted. Then one end points upwards a cm or so, and this will need sanding of filing to a sharp point. The fan will sit on that. Perhaps a drop of oil will help it spin and make it last longer.
Copper won't last, tho', but it'll give you the idea. See what else you have - a steel pin or thin nail?
It'll need to be sharp, tho', or be made so. 

twopenny

Thank you Wiawsnb, for confirming it should be possible.
I have a feeling back in the day when these were common I've done it before. But half a century ago 😲

I have garden wire, fuse wire, lots of nails, pins and tacks . Probably a spare piece of flex I can cannibalise for copper wire. Hadn't thought of that.

And I'll rattle around and see if there is a pin inside or on the carpet before it damages the hoover and results in another problem.

I'll give it a go tomorrow.  Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof 😉

FrugaiMacDugal

''Any ideas what shape this bit of plastic was please?''

Possibly the wee black fellla here.

If you hover over image it will enlarge.

gefnew

Dimplex Flicker Rotor & Pins - Bf7221 - Dimplex - | Shower DoctorDimplex Flicker Rotor & Pins - Bf7221 - Dimplex - | Shower Doctor | DIMPLEX-BF7221
But not made any more.

twopenny

Aw thanks, that looks right but it's definitely disintegrated beyond repair.

It reminds me of something I've seen somewhere, another gadget another place. But then I don't know how it would fit anyway.

I'll email them and see if they have one. I don't expect any joy but it's worth a try.
Meantime I'll just have to see what I can cobble together.

Also we have 2 repair cafes happening here, because of Christmas of course there's only one and that's not for another week.
I'll take the photos there and ask so again, thanks because that will make it a lot easier.
It's amazing what they come up with. Rescued lots of stuff for the sake of small parts which always someone has.
Fingers crossed.

WIAWSNB

Perfect job for them - it is highly DIYable. 

stuart45

Do you know any kids getting a 3D printer for Christmas?

twopenny

Ah but I don't have the original to work from.

stuart45

A smart kid can make one up with the CAD software.

chrisw

It needs to be something fairly heat resistant like metal or wire. It's probably the heat from the bulb which has made the original plastic supports brittle.