Please Help!

Burmies · 03-27-04, 09:30 PM

If anyone in canada sells Flex Watt heat tape please get intouch with me ASAP.
Thanks
The Slither Box!

BoidKeeper · 03-27-04, 09:34 PM

It's illegal to sell in Canada because it's not CSA approved. You'll have to have it shipped from the US.

Burmies · 03-27-04, 09:41 PM

Sorry, if anyone in canada wants to sell me some they have left over privatly, please get in touch with me

Derrick · 03-27-04, 09:47 PM

PCPC sells it, at least acording to thier site. I'm pretty sure its not illegal to sell but if it malfunctions and causes your houd to burn down your insurance wont cover it.

mykee · 03-28-04, 02:35 AM

Trevor, not illegal to sell unless you're considered a retail store, it is UL Listed.

BoidKeeper · 03-28-04, 06:59 AM

Well that's interesting. I checked out PCPC and they list it for $39 but they don't tell you what size or how long. When you click on the buy icon it opens a new window saying your buying a large heat pad.
Trevor

Jayson · 03-28-04, 10:47 AM

some Insurance companies will cover your flex watt if it is instaled proper. it does not have to be csa approved to be legal in canada.

However some insurance companies may not insure, but that is a company thing and not a government thing.

It is up to you to make sure that your insurance company will cover what you are doing or using in your house because after your house burns down it is to late to say that you did not know you were not coverd.

BoidKeeper · 03-28-04, 10:49 AM

Insurance companies look for every and any reason to cancel you anyway no matter who's fault it is.
Cheers,
Trevor

mykee · 03-28-04, 01:16 PM

Then the heat tape is the least of anyone's concerns. I'm yet to hear of an incident where heat tape has overheated due to malfunction, improper wiring, etc. However I do hear about heat tape just crapping out after years of use.

M_surinamensis · 03-28-04, 01:27 PM

Heat tape malfunctions pretty frequently due to improper use... If it's wired wrong or not set on a thermostat/rheostat you're virtually assured a burnout-meltdown-smoking plastic wreck within four or five years.

Now... heat tape farting out when used *properly* is an entirely different subject.

mykee · 03-28-04, 06:05 PM

I'm personally yet to hear of a SINGLE case of heat tape malfunctioning on the hot side, rather than just dying out. I've seen plenty of UTH's crap out and burn, but never heat tape. Until I see it, I'll consider it an urban myth, just like an obese ball python.

M_surinamensis · 03-29-04, 04:55 AM

You a member of faunaclassifieds by any chance?

There's a thread, in the consumer reports section. There aren't a lot of topics there so it should be fairly easy to find. The title is something along the lines of "Warning, this could happen to your pet"

Crapping out can happen in either direction, if you're lucky it just dies and I'll agree this is far more common if it's not used properly. If you're unlucky it can overheat and fry the tape. Either way though the risk can be easily avoided by simply using a rheostat/thermostat and checking to make sure it's working properly on a regular basis (temp guns are beautiful things).

Edit: It's not the only malfunction I've seen, just an easy to locate, third party identifiable example... with a picture.

mykee · 03-29-04, 01:25 PM

Yes, I was quite an 'active' member in that thread in particular. That particular case was of a less-than intelligent use of either a UTH or heat tape WITHOUT the use of a rhesostat and/or proportional thermostat. Just plain stupid in my opinion. Like I said, I'm yet to see a picture of heat tape failure NOT caused my plain old stupidity.