Heat rope question..

[Oliverian]

I understand that heat rope is activated at a fairly low temperature to prevent pipes freezing. How would you go about changing it so it is able to heat a rack system? Or does it depend on the brand? Are there brands out there that just get hot, and you can plug into a rheostat to regulate the temperature? The stuff I'm looking at is from Canadian tire, if that helps any.
-TammyR

[chas*e]

If it is the same stuff as for eavestrough as for pipes the all you do is wire it the same as you would heat tape with a rheostat ...the rope is never going to get so hot as to cause a fire ...but as tape it could burn the reptile

[Oliverian]

How would you go about wiring heat rope? It doesn't really work the same as heat tape, as it comes with a cord, you don't have to wire it yourself. (At least, the stuff i'm looking at you don't have to wire yourself) I'm just confused as to how to make it heat up to a higher temperature, because it supposedly only kicks in at low temperatures to prevent freezing. I havn't actually read the package yet, but I'm probably going to check it out this weekend.
-TammyR

[SDSnakes]

The heat rope i bought from Port Credit Pet Center
I believe is actually designed for heating animals...
dont quote me on that though. But it comes with a plus
and you would just plug that into a dimmer switch.
Call Grant and ask him about it, im sure he can tell
you everything you need to know. Also, there is a how
to project some where on this forum on making a
dimmer switch.


BTW I have been using heat rope for 3 weeks and it
works like a charm on rubbermaids, no melting or
burning, keeps the rubbermaids hotspot at 94 F

[Derrick]

Ya heat rope and electrical heat tracing(for pipes) are 2 different things. heat rope you get at PCPC heat tracing you get at the hardware store

[Invictus]

The heat rope you get at Canadian tire and such has a metal disc on the unit that you put in contact with the pipes. This disc needs to be removed and the resulting wires hooked together for that stuff to work. I would NOT recommend attempting this. The heat rope from PCPC is your best bet. If I'm not mistaken, it's even CSA approved. :D

[Oliverian]

Great, thanks Invictus. (and everyone else, too :D) I don't want to burn the house down or anything, so i'm probably going to order from Port Credit. Thanks! :)
-TammyR