heat tape question

[retic]

i have a bunch of enclosures stacked on top of each other with bean farm (non adhesive) heat tape with no air gap, but is hanging out the back to wire it up and they are all hooked up to rheostats. will this cause any problems with fire? should i spend all the time taking apart 9 units to put spacers or not. i was told that this may cause a problem. thanks for all input

[Matt_K]

many people do it that way without any problems. Personally i leave a gap between cages just to set my mind at ease.. Perhaps someone who doesnt use the gap can post their thoughts..

[mykee]

Well, I router out a gap for my heat tape to sit in, I have loads of the stuff. I realize that it's not CSA approved here in Canada, so I try to be as safe as I can not only for my dwelling, but for my snakes as well, better safe than sorry.

[Linds]

All you need is a millimetre of space, just so you aren't crushing the heat tape. I would be more concerned with all the pressure on the tape than I would with heat escape, especially with the bottom units. As mykee said, better safe than sorry ;)

[retic]

ok thanks everyone for the help looks like im going to put air gap on all of them and screw them back together

[ChokeOnSmoke]

Hey all I was just wondering where you guys from Canada get your heat tape? I can't find it anywhere in Thunder Bay Ont. Do you order from the states or is there somewhere to order from in Canada?
Thanks for any input.

Andy

[Jo060]

Originally posted by Linds
All you need is a millimetre of space,

YUP, you dont need much, if u have a piece of cardboard u can cut lil' squares of it of maybe one inch by one inch and place a pice under each corner and u should be fine


:med2cool:

Hope it helps

[Linds]

Andy,
Heat tape is not CSA approved, therefore we have to order it up from the states, or look for people up here that may have an overflow amount they might be looking to get rid of. If your ordering up from the states I highly recommend the Bean Farm. Great customer service as well as they get your order to you very fast. I've had stuff shipped in 3 business days :)

Originally posted by retic
ok thanks everyone for the help looks like im going to put air gap on all of them and screw them back together

Why do you have to take apart your enclosures to leave a gap? As Jo060 mentioned, it can be as easy as placing some pieces of cardboard under the corners (and in the middle for sizeable enlcosures).

[Invictus]

In Canada, Port Credit Pet centre in Ontario carries Flexwatt heat tape, and for a pretty good price, I might add. www.portcreditpets.com .

[Invictus]

Originally posted by Linds
Why do you have to take apart your enclosures to leave a gap? As Jo060 mentioned, it can be as easy as placing some pieces of cardboard under the corners (and in the middle for sizeable enlcosures).

Even better yet, just put 4 screws into the bottom. That should leave you almost exactly 1 mm.

[ChokeOnSmoke]

thanks you both Linds and Invictus for the info much appreciated

[Grant vg]

I dont really leave any gaps between any of my melamine enclosures and have never experienced a problem with heat tape.
id be more concerned with making sure you did a top notch job with your wiring and connection, as well as grade A thermostat, (Helix) , using power surge protectors, making sure your outlets can handle however many watts your running, etc...

As well, make sure your probe on your thermostat is positioned securely and somehow protected from excessive amounts of water, etc....
Also, make sure there isn't any way for kids or animals to interfere with the heat tape or wiring, or you could have problems.

gvg


http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/504/5fjjgfkjh_001-med.jpg

[Linds]

Originally posted by Invictus
Even better yet, just put 4 screws into the bottom. That should leave you almost exactly 1 mm.

That's fine unless you are also using the screws as part of the structural support. They will bow under the weight creating an unstable enclosure.

[retic]

all my units are screwed together with no gap at all between them. all the wiring is at the back, all the connections are soldered and all wire tied along to the control panel, all on a surge protected power bar with its own power feed from the fuse panel on a 20 amp breaker, in a self contained snake room. i've had the heat on now for a week and every thing seems to be ok, ive been constantly checking it with my heat gun and making sure not burning wood. i dont really want to have to take all apart. thanks for all the advice