help with flexwatt

[Bartman]

I could use a hand with this darn flexwatt. I bought 4 feet from the show off simon. 2 feet was un connected, and 2 feet was because he just brought it to show people, but I was desperate :)

I plugged it in today to see if it worked and it didnt. I guess the wiring is wrong?

The pics below show where the wires are (which side) and how they are crimped. Is this right because it isnt working? How long would it take for me to feel heat on the tape, maybe im not waiting long enough?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/BartmanReptiles/flexwattwiring.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/BartmanReptiles/flexwattwiring1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/BartmanReptiles/flexwattwiring2.jpg

[Simon]

Bartman,

LOL
I can already see why its not working
The wires arent even going through the metal.
So basically the wire isn't even passing electric to the heat tape. That is why its not working.

Make sure that the clips 'pokes' throught the copper so that electric can get to it and make the heat tape work.

Let me know if it works for you~~

[mykee]

Dude, you really messed that up good! Not sure if you can fix it , but you need to fold that exposed wire under the crimped part out of the way and then re-crimp the connector to the tape. You also need to cut an inch or so off of the clear part along each side and you have your connector hunged the wrong way. Ah crap, just check out Clay's website: www.arbreptiles.com/cages/flexwire.shtml

[Bartman]

:p Hey its Simons fault! haha jk

Thats how it was before I touched anything. Ill try and reverse it now.

[Bartman]

Thanks guys, now its working :D

Can I get those plastic and crimp parts at like beanfarm?

Which place has the best prices?

[Bartman]

Can those metal connectors be found at like home depot?

[mykee]

I've got extras, PM me.

[honduranfreekk]

Originally posted by mykee
I've got extras, PM me.

Oh now why did I not ask you about that lol

Kelvin@Brigitte

[Tim_Cranwill]

Don't bother with that "suggested" crap. Either buy a package of ring terminals and a hand tool (crimper) (Home Depot) or just melt the plastic that covers the copper strips with a soldering iron and solder the copper from the wire directly to the copper on the heat tape. Easy and effective.

I ordered the "suggested" garbage once and more than half their crimps were bad and the ones that WERE good, weren't THAT good. Find someone you know that has even a basic knowledge of this kind of stuff (even just basic continuity) and get them to do it for you or test your work.

And that's my advice! If you want further advice, contact me. ;)

[ssscales]

I solder all my flexwatt connections then seal them. I haven't had any problems. You can also get a ring terminal and screw, drill and screw through the copper.

[Justcage]

I agree on the soldering... it makes a better connection on the leads.. Check out this drawing I made.. and yes I know its ghetto...lol

http://www.mgreptiles.com/FLEXWIRING.html

[Bartman]

I have 2 feet already hooked up like shown above, but with the other 2 feet me and my paps have decided to solder it. Just one question, im using the Calorque heat tape and I was wonder, as it says in mykee's link, that you need to scrape the plastic off in one section first. Does the heat tape I have need to be scraped off because I can feel it sort of comes out of the heat tape, but im not sure if there is plastic on it or not.

Thanks everyone!

[Justcage]

There is plastic on it if it is from Cal... They are my distribitor I woudl suggest meltingthe plastic of the leads with a soldering iron then scrape it to a nice shine before soldering.. Also use an eletrical solder nothing acid core...