Electric fireplace fault (how much, fireplaces, heating, electricity)

[ndcairngorm]

We've had one of those electric fireplaces that are built into a nice-looking wood mantle, for about 5 years. We've used the heating portion of the fire very seldom, however.

Two weeks ago, in the middle of a cold spell down here in the south, we turned it on with the heat, and after about 10 minutes everything cut out - artificial flame, heat, the works. It was as though a circuit in the house had blown (but it hadn't). We also checked the outlet to make sure it wasn't that.

We studied the diagram on the back and saw a fuse that should be the first thing, right after the electricity enters the unit, but can we find the darn thing? No. We saw a fuse higher up on the circuit board that seems to control the various settings, etc., but it is sort of hardwired in and not meant to be changed. It looked all right anyway.

My question is: are these Chinese-made things repairable? Has anyone ever done it? I could replace the whole electric unit, of course, I'm aware, but not sure I want to spend that kind of money on something I only use once in a great while and which is mostly decorative (we bought it when we lived up north and a fireplace meant something).

[turf3]

Of course it's repairable. How much time and/or money do you want to spend?

[harry chickpea]

Check for continuity in the cord from outlet to the connection point.

[ndcairngorm]

I believe I implied in my last paragraph that I did not want to spend a lot on this. And since replacement units are 200-300 dollars that should have given an idea of my interest, turf3.

Harry, I have a feeling it's inside the unit but when I get hold of something to check with, we'll check everywhere. I can maybe borrow something.