'Adventures with dipstick heater' It sounds NC17 ;-)

So, if it's a concern at all, just validate it for safety.

Dip tube heater
Coffee can
1 qt used oil
Splash of diesel
Splash of gas.
String, as required.

Put all fluids in the coffee can, stir with heater.
Suspend heater with string and hot end in can in a safe place (for a fire).
Plug the heater in and observe for signs of danger (boiling, glowing or flames).

It may not be designed for unloaded use. If used unloaded it may overtemp and fail like a teacup heater, then you need a new one.

I tried to use a teacup heater to heat WVO. It was, I think too viscous, and would not load the teacup heater sufficiently, and it burned out. Or it didn't boil on contact, like water would. Phase change can have a huge heat transfer coefficient.

The resistance of heat element will change as it heats. The relationship P=V^2/R will probably not accurately predict the power the heat element will generate if R is measured when the heater is not glowing.

It will be completely useless with a PTC element heater, the resistance is low until they reach rated temp, I think.

__________________
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All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?