Concerned about fan quality
Pros:
Build quality, price
Cons:
Fan failure could have led to a fire!
The Bottom Line:
good value, be careful with it though
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
I just bought a 792/JR a week ago and I was all set to write a five-star review on it. Like other reviewers, I was impressed by the solid metal construction for a very low price. I had not expected such apparent build quality for a $15 product. The powder coat paint job is excellent, for example.
But, I have to give it a rating downgrade. After about four days of use, it appeared as if the fan was struggling to turn. But, I couldn't be sure. I noticed when I shut the unit off, the fan didn't slow down gradually and come to an easy rest like I would expect, instead it quickly came to a dead stop after just a few rotations. I didn't happen to notice how the fan had previously acted, so I kept using the heater making the assumption that the fan behavior was normal. I shouldn't have.
Making this story short: I was awaken by the smoke alarm and a slight burning stench. I looked down at the heater. The heating coils were all red hot (like in a toaster) and the fan was not turning. I may have caught it within seconds of this overheating condition and fan failure, but I am disturbed that the overheat prevention circuit failed to act before the smoke alarm went off.
Currently, the heater doesn't work at all on the 750 Watt setting. On the 1500 Watt setting, the fan doesn't work but the heating coils still operate- becoming red hot.
Since all other reviews here are positive. I am going to assume that I just got a defective unit, return this one to the store, and get another 792/JR.
I do have to give it a lower rating because of my troubles. I am leaving this review just for recordkeeping. If a rash of failures start showing up in future reviews, purchasers should steer clear. (and report problems to the Consumer Product Safety Commission) If this failure is just an oddball case, then I would recommend purchasing the 792/JR without hesitation.
---UPDATE---
I returned this heater to the store with the intention of getting another one. The clerk asked if there was a problem with it, and I told her what happened. She said that she had gotten a return just the day before for the exact same problem. (And this was a store in a different city from the one I bought my particular heater.) Based on her comment, I decided not to buy another one. I fear that there might be a problem with the latest production.
