"Free Dumb-Breeder Rack" - PART 4: Wiring The Heat Tape

[Tim_Cranwill]

I'll just start by saying:
This is how <b><u>I</u></b> wire up my heat tape. This goes against the manufacturer's recommended method and IF you choose to follow my instructions, you are doing so at your <b><u>OWN</u></b> risk.

Now that I have said that, here is what I do and I feel pretty safe doing it this way. :)

Here are the materials I use: A pre-stripped lamp chord, electrical tape, foil tape, ring terminals, scissors and a crimping tool.

http://www3.mb.sympatico.ca/~cranwill/net_pics/rack/building-wiring01.jpg

I start by covering all of the exposed copper with electrical tape.

http://www3.mb.sympatico.ca/~cranwill/net_pics/rack/building-wiring02.jpg

Then I get set to crimp a ring terminal on each stripped end of the wire.

http://www3.mb.sympatico.ca/~cranwill/net_pics/rack/building-wiring03.jpg

I also stagger the lengths of each wire so that all of my wiring comes out at the back of the rack instead of the side. That's just a personal preference though. :)

http://www3.mb.sympatico.ca/~cranwill/net_pics/rack/building-wiring04.jpg

After that, I screw a metal screw through the ring terminal and through the copper strip on the heat tape. That is your connection point.

http://www3.mb.sympatico.ca/~cranwill/net_pics/rack/building-wiring05.jpg

Because the screw-head is "live", you will need to cover it or insulated it with a non-conductive material. I use electrical tape but I have also used silicone and hot glue.

http://www3.mb.sympatico.ca/~cranwill/net_pics/rack/building-wiring06.jpg

Now that it is all wired up and ready to go, the last thing I do is make sure the heat tape is secured to the shelf with some foil tape.

http://www3.mb.sympatico.ca/~cranwill/net_pics/rack/building-wiring08.jpg

Now the heat tape is all connected and FLAT against the board.

http://www3.mb.sympatico.ca/~cranwill/net_pics/rack/building-wiring07.jpg

This is how much of the bin is above the heat tape once the bins are slid right back on their rails. It's a few inches less than half of the floor space. That does seem like a lot of "heat area" to me and next time I might use two strips of 4" tape instead but that's all part of the learning curve! :D

http://www3.mb.sympatico.ca/~cranwill/net_pics/rack/building-wiring09.jpg

I just want to thank everyone for their interest in these posts. I look forward to all of the feedback and ideas you have. :)

Next post will cover how to assemble the "levels". That just means fastening the shelves to the rail assemblies and how to properly space each rail assembly for smooth sliding! :)

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

TIM:

Very nice indeed, like I said my thing was the info on the wiring. And you covered it well. These posts are informative and anyone wanting to build a rack system can learn alot in this saga you are creating here.

Keep em coming Tim.

Cya...

Tony

[bighillreptiles]

How do you control the temps? paul good work on the heat tape where can i get the 4" heat tape? i nead abought 25' for the repts that i have under tank heaters are to much $$$ All i have at this point and time is heat pads that I have modified from wallmart

[mykee]

Paul; PM me for heat tape pricing, I have quite a bit left.

[vanderkm]

Looks like only one side of the aspenite is painted (sealed) - the side that is above the tub - right? Why did you choose aspenite boards for shelves - just lighter than melamine and less expensive than plywood?

Really appreciate these posts - have heard about this method of connecting heat tape before but never seen a post with such good pics. Like the balance between the two sides of the wire too - so they come out the back even - something I never think about in advance and then wish I had when it is done!

thanks,

mary v.

[Tim_Cranwill]

Mary, you're right. I chose that material because it is lighter and less expensive. Also because the shelves themselves (:D) carry no weight... so why make them thicker than they need to be? :)