Thermostat 5210810031

Part arrived in short order. Easy in - easy out as described by previous DIY-er. Thanks, Joe

Replacing the Thermostat in a DeLonghi Portable Oil Filled Heater (Type 9707)
Part #: 5210810031 (Thermostat)

Replacing the part was not too difficult; the hardest part was getting to the metal tab that secures the metal heater front panel containing the controls to the oil filled radiator. The tab is part of the sealed radiator portion of the heater and not easily accessible, even if you pry off the dark grey plastic cover over the controls. Prying off this plastic control cover will break the tabs that secure it in place and possibly break the cover itself. This will not allow you easier access to the metal tab because the control mounting plate is screwed to the front heater panel from the inside.

The steps to take are as follows;
1. Lay the heater on its side and remove the 2 screws on the bottom of the metal front cover that houses the controls. With the screws removed, pull out on the bottom of the front panel far enough to disconnect the 3 wires attached to the radiator heating element.

2. Here is the hardest part. While pulling out on the bottom of the cover, use a long thin screw driver or something similar to pry down the metal tab until it is nearly straight out so you can remove the front panel of the heater. For reference, there is a similar tab at the rear of the heater but does not need to be removed.

3. After removing the front panel, remove the 2 wire connectors from the thermostat. Then remove the 3 screws that hold the control mounting plate to the inside of the front panel in order to access the 2 screws that hold the thermostat to the control panel.

4. Remove the red control knob from the thermostat and then remove the 2 screws holding the thermostat to the panel and replace it with the new part #5210810031. Reposition the new thermostat and replace the mounting screws. Align the control knob to the flat side on the thermostat adjustment shaft and push it back on.

5. Reposition the control mounting plate on the heater front panel and replace the 3 securing screws then reconnect the wires to the terminals on the thermostat.

6. At this point you can place the front heater panel onto the metal tab that held the top secure and try to bend the tab back up. If you find it too difficult to bend the tab back up enough to securely hold the top of the front panel here is a suggestion.

(Straighten and flatten the metal tab so it points directly toward the front of the heater and aligns well with the slot in the flange of the front panel. Reconnect the wires to the heating element then position the front panel over the tab and firmly against the front of the radiator. While holding the panel in place, replace the 2 screws on the bottom of the panel and stand the heater up on its casters. While pressing firmly against the top of the panel drill a 3/32" hole through the top center of the panel just inside the rear flange and directly over and through the tab. Use a self tapping sheet metal screw to secure it.)

7. If you removed the dark grey plastic control cover you likely broke the plastic tabs that hold the cover in place. The heater will still function fine without the plastic cover but it will leave sharp screws and metal edges exposed. If this is the case you can order a new one from www.eReplacementParts.com.

Have fun "Do-It-Yourselfers"

Gregory Synarski

I looked up my Heater model number and then was able to find the thermostat I needed. Shipping was fast. New thermostat was very easy to install and my heater now operates perfect.

Removed bad thermostat, replaced it with new thermostat.

Removed front wheels, which exposed 2 screws for front cover, remove front cover, unplug wires from heating element to fully detach front cover, remove wires from thermostat, replace thermostat, reinstall wires on thermostat and heating element. reassemble front cover and wheel assembly

1. One screw removes side panel.
2. Removed the plastic covers. Had to break most of the plastic wings to get them off.
3. Disconnected the wires and found it interesting that each was wired a bit differently.
4. Removed old parts.
5. Replaced with new parts.
6. Reconnected wiring.
7. Replaced plastic covers.
8. Replaced side panel with screw.

1. Removed old Thermostat and switch.
2. Installed new Thermostat and switch.
3. Replace old power cord plug.
4. Replaced crimp connectors on the wires at the thermostat and switch.
These oil filled radiator heaters are the easiest heaters to repair, service and clean. They have very few parts, easy access to the internal components and no fan or motor to deal with.

Disassembled the control unit - 1 large and 4 small screws; pushed out the cover, pulled off the control knob, disconnected the 2 thermostat wires, unscrewed the old, screwed in the new, then reattached in reverse order. The diagram on your web site certainly helped to keep things in order, as the heater does not provide repair instructions.
Plugged it in, turned the knob and felt heat immediately - like new.

Unscrewed the housing from the heater and pried off the bezel surrounding the thermostat.
Then I disconnected the 2 wires from the thermostat and unscrewed the thermostat from the housing. To install the thermostat do the steps in the reverse order.