Wiring a dimmer

[Big Mike]

Wiring a dimmer
I'm going to wire up my own dimmers for some UTH's to put on some new enclosures. I have tried one from Radio Shack, it is a lamp dimmer that does not dim anything at all...it’s a P.O.S. model #&*%@!...I looked every where for a simple plug in dimmer but I eventually got one at the pet store (Repti-Temp Rheostat) which is nice and simple but It barely lowers the UTH enough...at the lowest level the heat is 85 deg.

Anyway...I know it will be much cheaper to just wire my own dimmer to the UTH. What's the best way to do it? I guess I could cut the cord and wire it in. I would rather get a dimmer and a receptacle and a cheap cord and make a rheostat that is separate from the UTH (so I can unplug it and use it somewhere else).

Is this a good Idea?

What kind of dimmer is best to use. The rotary is cheap but I like the look of the slide ones better. I think that the most common dimmers are 600w (is that right)...that should be plenty of capacity for a small UTH or two...shouldn't it? Should I use a heavy-duty dimmer?

Sorry for all the questions on one post but...the hot wire in a cord is the copper one? and that goes to the smaller tooth on the plug? Which color wire is which..usually?

Any help or tips would be appreciated...Thanks.

I know about as much as the electrician that Goerge on Seinfield hired to help him transport the frogger machine..."oh, you mean the holes"