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One thing you can be sure of when it comes to modern electric blankets is they will always send signals in case something is not in good condition. The warning can be in the form of blinking lights. In other cases, it can be flashing lights.
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So, what does blinking on the electric blanket mean? Is it a major issue or could it be a minor problem? Do I need to attend to the problem immediately or can I postpone it?
In this article, we are going to address all these questions and many others that you may have with regard to why your electric blanket is blinking.
Overheating
You bought an electric blanket because you wanted to get some extra heat. However, the course of its operation, the blanket may end up generating more heat than it was supposed to. This will lead to overheating.
For most blankets, overheating will lead to the automatic shut off. If the blanket does not switch itself off, it will start blinking to warn you of a possible heating problem. Maybe you should investigate the cause of overheating and rectify it.
Overheating could be due to letting the blanket operate at a single setting for too long: Probably the highest heat setting on the blanket. Bad handling can also lead to overheating. For example, when you keep heavy items on top of the blanket.
The best solution to the overheating electric blanket is to unplug it from the power for a while and give it time to cool. Also, check out all the components of the electric blanket to ensure that they are inn perfect condition.
Loose connection
This is another common reason for the blinking electric blanket. A loose connection between the blanket and the controller will be interpreted as a warning sign and this will subsequently lead to constant blinking or flashing.
The biggest culprit when it comes to the loose connection is the faulty wires. If the wires are not held and connected properly to their positions, then you are likely to end up with loose connections.
A faulty or damaged plug can also cause a loose connection between the electric blanket and the controller.
A loose connection can cause a bigger problem other than just the blinking light. It can easily ignite sparks which may end up causing a fire. Let’s not forget that loose connections in most electric devices can cause electric shock.
In case you suspect that the blinking blanket is due to loose connection, you disconnect it immediately from any power source. Inspect the wires and establish the actual point of the loose connection.
You should also inspect the wires connecting the blanket to the connectors on regular basis to avoid any possibility of a loose connection.
Faulty controller
The constant blinking light on your electric blanket could be due to a faulty controller. A controller is the main communication unit of the heated blanket. In case it malfunctions, you will get an immediate response, which will come in the form of blinking lights.
If you suspect that the issue is with the controller, you will have to unplug the blanket from the power and wait for further instructions from the heated blanket manufacturer.
Problem with the temperature sensors
Electric blankets come with different sensors and the most common one is the temperature sensor. A problem with the sensor can cause the electric blanket to blink.
Electric blanket blinking F2 is one of the signs that the temperature sensors is having an issue. It is a warning sign that you need to check the sensor and rectify the problem as soon as possible.
The good news is it is easy to rectify the electric blanket blinking F2.
The first solution is to unplug the blanket from the power source. This can be the battery or the wall socket. Wait for a couple of minutes, let’s say 5 minutes then switch it on again. Confirm whether the electric blanket is still blinking F2.
Another solution is to reset the controller before plugging it into the power source again.
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If the two solutions yield no results, proceed to inspect the wires and the controller for any signs of physical damage.
How to reset an electric blanket
One of the solutions to a blinking heated blanket is resetting the controller. This is an ideal solution, especially if the electric blanket is blinking F2.
To reset your heated blanket, start by unplugging it from the power outlet. From there, you can inspect the buttons that are on the controller.
Do you spot the RESET button? Press and hold it down for a couple of seconds, maybe 10 seconds.
Chances are once you plug the blanket back to power after resetting the controller, the blinking light will be gone.
This solution works perfectly when you want to reset Sunbeam electric blanket.
What if the controller does not have a reset button? Well, you can go for a rather mechanical way of resetting the blanket; using a freezer. After all, the blinking could be due to an issue with the temperature sensor.
To do this, put the blanket in a tight bag and then leave it in a freezer for a couple of hours. Exposing the blanket to extreme temperatures can reset the temperature. However, this solution can work only if you are sure that there are no other problems, for example, the wires are in good condition.
If you are not sure of the technic to use to reset the blanket, then you should consult the electric blanket manufacturer’s manual.
My electric blanket is blinking but working perfectly
This is quite a common problem and many electric blanket users can easily ignore it. Yes, the light from the controller is blinking and flashing yet the blanket is still operating smoothly.
In as much as the issue could be minor, it still needs your full attention. So, do not ignore it. Start to look for immediate solutions.
The first solution is to reset the blanket using the steps that we have discussed here.
The second step is to go through the manufacturer’s manual to be familiar with all the error codes and their respective blinking lights. The manual can even recommend possible solutions.
You can also inspect both the blanket and the control for any signs of physical damage. It is possible for the electric blanket to continue functioning well despite the physical damage on its components.
Of course, you should also check out the connections and cords in the way that the blanket is connected to the power source and also to the controller.
If you try out all these solutions and the blinking still persists, do not hesitate to contact the electric blanket manufacturer.
What is a fold test for an electric blanket?
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Other than the general troubleshooting tips for the blinking electric blanket, doing a fold test on the blanket is also recommended. It is a technique performed if you suspect that the blanket is not heating up properly.
To do this, start by folding the electric blanket while taking care of its control. You should still be able to fold the blanket after separating the control.
Once folded, connect the cord from the control module to the power outlet on the wall. Switch on the blanket and select the highest temperature setting on the control module. Let the blanket remain on for at least 5 minutes.
Once you touch different sections of the folds, you should be able to feel the warmth emanating from the electric blanket.
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Take precaution that when carrying out the fold test, the heating period should not exceed 7 minutes.
Fold test of an electric blanket is something that you should do regularly just to optimize the performance and efficiency of the blanket.
What can I do with an old electric blanket that is blinking?
Let’s say the blinking issue is on an old heated blanket. Should I be concerned and what should I do?
You should start by implementing the troubleshooting steps that we have discussed above. They include conducting a visual inspection and resetting the heated blanket.
For the old blankets, you are likely to uncover quite a number of physical problems such as corroded wires and damaged electronic components on the controller.
You should start by replacing these components with new ones, of course with the help of an expert in this field.
Conclusion
Now you know everything about why your electric blanket is blinking. From what we have discussed, there are different causes of the blinking light on the heated blanket.
Some of these causes are universal since they are common on all brands of an electric blankets. This implies that you should apply universal solutions to such causes.
Other causes are specific brands of electric blankets. Here, you should use a specific manufacturer’s guide to get the best solutions to the problem.
Seeking guidance from electric blanket experts will always be the best way of finding perfect solutions to the blinking problem.
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Category: WHY
