Question about wattage of heat tape

[Auskan]

I was just looking at the Bean Farm, and I don't know if this is a typo or not. They say that the 3" tape is rated at 10w/foot but the 4" tape is 8w/foot. Is this correct? Can any of you electrical types explain to me how this is possible?
Thx

[mykee]

Yup, not a typo. That's why 3" tape is not a popular size. Almost everyone I know uses 4" or 11".

[Linds]

Yup. It isn't popluar for good reason. I unfortunately have it in one of my racks and I would never do it again. Not only is the extra wattage unecessary, but it shoots up past 150 degrees in minutes, and that's fully exposed to the air, not counting if the tubs are in, which would make it even hotter. Scary stuff if your controller fails :eek:

[Invictus]

Scary indeed. I use the 4" right now, though I haven't wired any of it up yet. That comes this weekend. (yay! And thanks for the clips Mykee!)

[mykee]

Welcome.

[Auskan]

Thanks guys. I'm glad I asked - I have just ordered the 4". Hopefully it won't take too long to get here.

[Stockwell]

Flexwatt(CaloriQue) makes a 6 watt 3 inch tape, and that is what I usually use. It works great. They don't recommend the 10watt for herps.(pers conv) Without a dimmer it will actually burn wood. I had that happen many years back, before I found out they make a 6 and a 10 watt.
Just don't buy 3 inch from Bean Farm.. Big Apple and other distributers sell the 6watt 3inch.
The 4 inch stuff is great, but it costs a bit more.

[Linds]

Roy,
That's good to know in the future. I was under the impression it only came in the 10W output.

[Stockwell]

here's one link

http://www.bigappleherp.com/Reptile_Supplies/Product/Heat_Tape_119105.html#descriptionLink