Electric heater/fireplace turning off.

This fireplace all of a sudden stopped working. Noticed the plug to the wall was melted some how. So I replaced it with I believe the same specs. It wouldn't turn on and I noticed the thermostat had all types of corrosion on the bimetallic switch contacts..so I cleaned it off.. I noticed the middle black wire which goes from the middle of the switch to the breaker was like burnt to a crisp the first few inches from the switch. Near the breaker was fine.I turn the fireplace on and it stays on for about a minute then everything turns off except the display.. i notice when I adjust the thermostat I see a spark and it doesn't really adjust heat or fan levels it kind of just stays the same or shorts out immediately AFter turning it.. the sparks from adjusting the thermostat are immediately putting the corrosion back on the contact points.. I'm thinking maybe just cancel out the thermostat and always running on it's Highest? If it works and doesn't turn off then it has to be the thermostat switch.. if it still don't work it would have to be the breaker? Honestly I'm at a loss and this should be simple

 

Welcome to the forums.

Is that bottom picture your unit ?

Every year we get requests for help with those "fireplaces". The wiring is usually undersized, the crimps aren't on properly and the devices like the switches don't hold up.

It looks like the switch has the problem. Usually when a terminal burns like that it's a loose connection or a defective switch.

You may have lost your AC power cord because the receptacle is worn out. It's important that the plug prongs fit tightly in the receptacle. If not... change it to a spec. grade receptacle.

 

Thanks for the quick reply!. No it is a similar looking unit. Hell I know all the connections are poorly crimped.. I canceled out the thermostat to see if I could keep it running and yeah it'll keep running when not connected to the thermostat which is odd.. I kept it on for about 3minutes and when I felt the switch it was extremely hot so it's definitely not a solution. So what are the possible recommendations? A new thermostat control or a switch? I'd imagine the switch wouldn't get so hot if I had the wires hooked up to a thermostat control.. the thing is I don't know where to get the thermostat from and would it have to be a bimetallic switch?

 

Is there a number stamped on that thermostat ? Could denote temperature.

 

Hp-37 180f sammax.. I can't find one of these damn things anywhere....

 

I'm looking. May not find the right one until later.

Looks like a Star 2T-Z2236 is close. Just need to check the mounting method.
amazon/2T-Z2236-Thermostat-Bimetal-85-180-50461405

 

Yeah that does look about right. I kinda don't want to drop that much money unless I know Forsure that is the issue. I think it is tho. That or the 3 prong switch?