Thermostats and Heat Tape....

End Times · 07-17-05, 08:09 PM

Hey all,

I've been making plans to build a rack and want to use Heat Tape to heat it. I understand how to wire the heat tape, that seems simple enough, but am confused as to how to get the thermostat involved...

How do I wire the thermostat to the heat tape? How the hell does the thermostat monitor how warm the heat tape is getting, don't they normally just measure the ambient temp in a room? Once the thermostat is set up, how on earth does it regulate the heat given off by the heat tape, does it shut the power to the heat tape off whenever the optimum temp is reached or does it just control the amount of electricity that goes into the heat tape in order to maintain proper temps? What's the difference between a thermostat and a rheostat and is one better than the other? Can I even buy a rheostat (whatever they may be) in a hardware store?

As you can see, I am a complete tool when it comes to all things electric. Can someone explain this all to me? Oh, and please talk like I'm five years old because that's how darn confused I am about all this thermostat business. If I try to figure it out I'll end up electrocuted right about the time before my house burns down! LOL!

Jeff_Favelle · 07-18-05, 12:44 AM

The thermostat you want comes with a probe. The probe attaches to the heat tape (or wherever you want to measure the temperature). The heat tape plugs into the thermostat (they COME with a plug-in already installed). The thermostat shuts off power to the heat tape when the probe reaches the programmed temperature.

Only problem is, you've only controlled the temps "exactly" for the spot where the probe is.

End Times · 07-18-05, 07:07 AM

Quote:

The thermostat you want comes with a probe. The probe attaches to the heat tape (or wherever you want to measure the temperature). The heat tape plugs into the thermostat (they COME with a plug-in already installed).

Thanks, Jeff!

Now, does anyone know where I can get this miraculous-plug-in-already-ready-to-go-device? I scoured Home Depot the other day and everything they had seemed like it needed wiring of some sort... no nice plug and go thing...

How much will one of these facy doo-dads run me?

Jeff_Favelle · 07-18-05, 12:12 PM

Home Depot and Rona and Home Hardware aren't going to sell reptile thermostats, which is pretty much all thermostats with a probe are used for.

www.thebeanfarm.com

End Times · 07-18-05, 09:01 PM

Thanks, Jeff!

Are those fancy looking Helix ones the plug and go type? I've heard they're the best... but wouldn't want to wire anything.

Jeff_Favelle · 07-19-05, 03:11 AM

DBS-100 is the one you want. I hear Big Apple has some nice ones as well. I think Port Credit Pets also sells hard goods like that stuff, so you may save on shipping by going with them.

End Times · 07-19-05, 06:35 AM

Once again, Jeff, I thank you. Do you mean DBS 1000? I could of swore when I was looking at them last night they had three zeros...