Heat tape & Wood enclosures

[dead bob]

I am currently building a 4x2x2 enclosure using 3/4 inch plywood for a BCI. I plan on cutting a 1/4 recess on the bottom so the heat only has 1/2 inch of wood to penetrate. Has anyone else done this and if so, how well has it worked? I still plan on installing a basking light and everything will be on a thermostat but I still want to provide the belly warmth. Thanks.

[sSNAKESs.com]

I do this with all of my melamine cages.. it works GREAT! It is also better so that you can stack the cages and there is still airflow getting in under the heat tape so it doesnt over heat :)

[Them and Us]

does that need to be routed? i built my cages and was planning on just installing small 1/2 " feet on them for airflow

[dead bob]

I am also going to install feet. But since the wood I am using is 3/4 inch think, I am going to route out the area for the heat tape done to 1/2 inch. This is so the heat will not dissipate as much to the entire floor and actually penetrate into the cage. Having too much wood would probably cause the heat tape to work too hard, ( draw too much current), and burn out. Or worse, cause a fire.

[Them and Us]

damn. i don't have a router.have to find someone with one. thats a big spot to rout isn't it? I'm planning on using 11" heat tape about a third of the way across as per Jeff's very helpful info. hey well looks like I'm learning more. know how much an okay router costs?

[sSNAKESs.com]

I use a table aw to do mine... takes a long time but its turns out nice :) a router would be your best bet, but if your putting feet dont even waste the time recessing it, it will heat up to the same temps either way ;)

[Grant vg]

if your only making one, u might as well go with a uth, no sense in wiring up heat tape for one enclosure.
and heat tape will heat through anything, 115 degrees or so through 5/8 inch without a helix.
3/4 isn't much different. my heat pads that ive used temporarily also heat way higher then 90. wood holds the heat well and if your using a heat lamp above, u wont need more then a foot of 11" to give a nice spot for belly warmth, as it spreads a bit.

Good luck! :D