Metro (METRO) kotatsu Replacement heater U-shaped quartz tube MSU-501H (K)

We only needed a new cord for our kotatsu, but only available replacement cords we could find online were shipped from Japan. We needed working kotatsu sooner, so got this and replaced the whole thing. We could not be happier with our purchase. It heats faster and warmer with the fan. The metal casing was slightly damaged in shipping, but it is working fine and Amazon made it right. We are using it without a step-up transformer, but I am not recommending by any means.

Make sure to get a transformer to go with this if using in the USA. Works amazing, doesn't get too hot, provides the perfect amount of heat for a kotatsu.

Really wanted a kotatsu but the listings on here weren't meeting what I wanted out of price+material so I got a used coffee table. Luckily the table top was completely separate from the legs. The table is 35x35in, I used four 1x2in boards and cut out slots, then attached two boards to the table and two to the heater and fit them together. I used some extra 3.5x30mm screws from IKEA to attach the heater to the boards and those worked just fine since the sides are just a metal sheet. To stop the top from sliding I put rubber stops on the corners so they sit inside the table frame. If you're even a little bit handy and have a convenient table I'd definitely recommend buying this and attaching it, saved me a couple hundred bucks. I did get a stepdown transformer for this, and I'm not really interested in finding out if it works without it. You can hear it when it's running, which is nice is you like white noise and a good reminder if you forget to turn it off when not in use. I've brushed up against it multiple times when it's on and it's not even uncomfortable to touch. Cat loves it as well.

The device is perfect, as it is designed, for a Kotatsu. It is thin, has a thermostat, and a fan to blow the air around. I was able to easily install it and get it working. Everything worked well, the heater, thermostat, even the wire has a safety hook so it won't get pulled out of the heater if it gets snagged. The only issue I have is the fan. It rattles and makes a lot of noise. At this level of quality it should have been priced around $40-50, not $100. As a side note, this is designed to work on 100v, not 115V that we have in US. Will it work, yes. But, at 115v it is being supplied with 10-15% more that it was designed for. I don't think it's a good idea. I ended up buying a 2000w Variable Transformer for $80 to go with this. Now, it's nice and safe. As a bonus, I connected the whole thing to a smart plug so it gets turned on before we get home to get the Kotatsu nice and toasty.

Here is the information I was looking for before buying that I wasn't able to find, so I hope it helps somebody. This is for anyone in the US trying to install it under a wood table. The screws that come with it are metric, I'm sure, but they are quite close to a US #8 in diameter (just with a larger plastic head). You will want 4 #8 washers, 4-6 #8 1" screws, and angle brackets (2" Bulldog zinc brackets are what I'm using, and I'm using the screws that came with them too). My angle bracket kit recommends 5/64 drill bits to make pilot holes for the screws, it seems a slightly smaller pilot hole is usually best. I wouldn't go any smaller than 2" on the brackets. The heater is as thick as the box is. There is no clearance needed for the heater, so it can touch your table. However, if you are worried, 3" angle brackets should also work. I can't vouch for how it is when turned on yet, but out of the box it looks to be of decent quality especially for the price. I will turn it on and use it when my step down converter comes. I would recommend using it with a converter in the US because it is designed for 100V outlets, and will last longer and be safer with a converter.

I made a make-shift kotasu with this and I love it. I feel that the heaters metal grate was mailable so that was worrying but not a concern because I never touch it again after setting it up. It’s not hot to the touch even when it’s going full blast so family friendly! And not harmful at all! It did smell at first because 1. I didn’t use it with a cover since I was testing it and 2. It hasn’t been used for a while. The smell went away quickly Took some experimenting because I don’t know Japanese but the controls were easy to learn. The knob is the level of heat you want, while the switch is it’s on and off. Simple right?

Purchased for my homemade kotatsu. Works as expected. I chose not to use with a step down power supply and for me it's been working fine. My Kill-a-Watt meter says it draws 700 watts. The grand kids love it.

We bought this to DIY a Kotatsu table. We just had to buy some L brackets and attacht it to our table. That's it! It's perfect. Even the lowest setting is pretty warm. We did not buy an outlet converter, but if you don't turn it to max heat you shouldn't need the converter.