Another Flexwatt question...

[DeesBalls]

please dont be mad at all of my new posts....

i plan on doing my new heating tomorrow morning b4 school...

questions:
1. how long do i have to let the heat tape set un plugged before i can cut it and stuff?

2. what is the correct way cut it??

3. is the heat tape okay to put directly on the aspen wood? or do i need something in between the wood and heat tape.... if so, what do i need to put between the 2?

and just so we are clear, wheni say aspen wood, i mean the rack shelves and the tub... NOT the aspen bedding....

thanks!!

[mykee]

1. Immediately.
2. 4": anywhere.
11": along the dotted line.
Be sure to run a strip of electrical tape along the full length of the heat tape of the end you DON'T wire up.
3. You can put flexwatt on wood. For safety sake though, leave a gap for airflow.

[DeesBalls]

1. Immediately.
2. 4": anywhere.
11": along the dotted line.
Be sure to run a strip of electrical tape along the full length of the heat tape of the end you DON'T wire up.
3. You can put flexwatt on wood. For safety sake though, leave a gap for airflow.

okay, thanks mykee...just so i am clear, as soon as i unplug the heat tape, i can start to cut and all that, i cut it along the dotted line(im doing 11") and how would you advise to have a gap? and close the cut end that i dont wire...

[Jendee]

http://www.beanfarm.com/heating/Flexwatt_Wiring.pdf
http://www.beanfarm.com/heating/Flexwatt_connectors.pdf
http://www.beanfarm.com/heating/flexwatt_userinfo.pdf


I love flexxwatt!!! :D

[DeesBalls]

Thanks, Jandees. That 1st one really helped out, i think i am all ready to go, going to start here soon!!

[sickvenom]

and how would you advise to have a gap?

all rack system i've seen have the tubs sitting on the flexwatt, without a gap.

and close the cut end that i dont wire...

electrical tape or liquid tape, as shown in diagram 1.

[Jenn_06]

all rack system i've seen have the tubs sitting on the flexwatt, without a gap.

yeah i have a rack system made of wood with no gap and works great.

[mykee]

"all rack system i've seen have the tubs sitting on the flexwatt, without a gap."
Not mine.

With all of my racks, I router out a five inch wide, 1/16" deep groove for my heat tape to sit in, and stick it to the rack with thumbtacks.
Few reasons why:
1. Wear and tear on the tape; it's pretty durable stuff, but with enough open the bin close the bin open the bin close the bin open the bin close the bins, and that protective coating will wear away and possibly cause shorts or a fire. I'll take the extra time the first time and avoid a burned down house.
2. Air flow: SO very important. when you sit heat tape (or any heat source for that matter) directly on something and then a bin directly on the tape, there is nowhere for the extra heat to dissipate to, it will build up and either overheat the tape; causing a short or a burnout, or will heat up and melt the bin (and whatever is in it).

[Jendee]

all my racks are directly on the heat tape, Ive had a few racks for over a decade andnever have had any over heating issues :) It may depend on the temp in your house as well because I have heard of it happening..

[sickvenom]

Not mine.

With all of my racks, I router out a five inch wide, 1/16" deep groove for my heat tape to sit in, and stick it to the rack with thumbtacks.
Few reasons why:
1. Wear and tear on the tape; it's pretty durable stuff, but with enough open the bin close the bin open the bin close the bin open the bin close the bins, and that protective coating will wear away and possibly cause shorts or a fire. I'll take the extra time the first time and avoid a burned down house.
2. Air flow: SO very important. when you sit heat tape (or any heat source for that matter) directly on something and then a bin directly on the tape, there is nowhere for the extra heat to dissipate to, it will build up and either overheat the tape; causing a short or a burnout, or will heat up and melt the bin (and whatever is in it).

your points are great and very valid. i have heard many discussions about these issues, but i have never actually heard of anyone trying to circumvent these potential problems. great ideas. thanks.

[DeesBalls]

thank you all for your quick input, however, after getting my rack apart and getting the tape off.....

i do not have enough tape to cut into 6 pieces. i thought i had enought to cut my tape in to 6 1foot x 11 inch sections, which i was going to use on each shelve. ( that would cover 1/3 of the tub.. almost, tub is 35" long, so im an inch over..

but i dont have enough, so im debating what to do at the moment.

[sickvenom]

how close can you get to 1/3? it's ok if you are a little short.

[DeesBalls]

how close can you get to 1/3? it's ok if you are a little short.

with what i have now... i only have 4 total foot of flexwatt... I thought i had more. so i can get...

6 pieces of only 8"... and the tubs are 35" so that is WAAAY less than a third.

what i am going to do is just re-order (6) or (7) pieces that are a foot long. and 11 inches wide. that will cover 1/3 of the tub ...

ill just wait till i stain the rack and re do it, then i will do this.

THANKS ALOT FOR EVERYONES HELP, even though i didnt do it today, the help will for sure come in play in the future!!

[sickvenom]

Keep us posted.

[DeesBalls]

Will do, and thanks sickvenom for all your help!

[mykee]

LOl...
1/4 to 1/3 of the overall floor space, don't take that so literally.
Also, heat tape will "bleed" heat to either side of it just like a barbeque or a bonfire will.
4" heat tape will heat up a width of 7" - 10".

[sickvenom]

LOl...
1/4 to 1/3 of the overall floor space, don't take that so literally.
Also, heat tape will "bleed" heat to either side of it just like a barbeque or a bonfire will.
4" heat tape will heat up a width of 7" - 10".

The various sizes of flexwatt are rated differently. 1/4 to 1/3 is a safe general rule to go by that won't confuse the inexperienced. I'm willing to bet not everyone keeps room temps as high as you do, therefore they would need more coverage.

[mykee]

True, but with an average room temp of 73, ANY size of heat tape will easily get the enclosures up to 90-95 and "bleed" heat a few inches either way.
BTW, I keep my reptile room at a constant 80.

[DeesBalls]

So you are saying if I cover 1/3 of my tub, witch would be 12 inches, it could heat up to say, 15 inches with the " bleed" I just wantvl it set up correct. I would like to get this right the first time.

[mykee]

Yup, that's exactly what I am saying.

[DeesBalls]

Thanks mykee, so would you suggest doing only like 8 inches or so, so when it "bleeds"it takes it around the 1/3 mark?? I know it really doesn't need to be exact like I said just want to do it right.