Heat Tape questions

[Them and Us]

know of any good US sites i can buy it from and the clips and wires? thank you. and also i was told by someone in a shop that it comes in one foot pieces not a continous 4 feet if i would need that much. this sounds unlikely but i don't know as i have just been using under tank heating pads . if they do come in one foot pieces does that mean i need that many separate clips and wires? thanks all. oh and what type of thermostat is reccommended by you all. and what is th difference between a rheostat and a thermostat. thanks for the thrid and final time aha.

[Big Mike]

I have heard that the best place to buy it is from beamfarm.com You will have to wire it up yourself, it's not hard.

It should come in what ever lenght you need...they have it in roll form...probably like 50 feet.

Check out the temp contol devices while you are there...you get what you pay for so...there you go

A rheostat is a dimmer...you adjust the dimmer and measure the output of the heating device. Works well in a stable enviroment. You could make one with a light dimmer switch or you can buy them.

A thermostat will measure the temp and adjust it's output to maintain the temp within a set range. The cheaper ones turn on and off while the more expensive (better) ones will pulse the power to maintain a constant temp...

Good Luck...Someone will give some more info...I have to go home :)

[Bryan Self]

Bean farm is a good place to get heat tape. It comes in rolls and you arder the amount you need. You do need seperate connectors for each piece you cut. Big Mike got the thermostat and rheostat. Just remember you do need a thermother with a rheostat in order to check your temps. Helix is the most recomended theromostat on the market. Big Apple also makes a good thermostat. The biggest thing to look for in a thermostat is if it is proportional. If it is proportional it will not just shut on and off. It reduces the wattage in order to keep a standard temp. Good Luck

[Them and Us]

thanks this helps a lot. i was thinking of putting a strip of heat tape long the back for over all temps and then using a ceramic heat emitter for a hot spot.