any where else to buy clips?

[DeesBalls]

Is there any place else, like sears, lowes, home depot, ect... to buy clips to wire up flexxwatt? i was going to buy the ones off from reptile basics, but shipping is more than what the clips are!!

$20 for clips
$22 for shipping

so i was hoping i could go to home depot or something an just buy some, or something that would work..

i do not want to sue solder iron either so please dont say it. i thought about it, and i feel safer with the clips.

[sickvenom]

actually soldering is SAFER than the clips. but, if you refuse to solder, here's an ebay link for a couple clips.

Flex Watt heat tape clips and insulators for AC or DC | eBay

[DeesBalls]

Thanks, sorry, i just dont feel comfortable using a soldering iron, plus i dont have one..

[sickvenom]

Originally Posted by LiL_Boa

Thanks, sorry, i just dont feel comfortable using a soldering iron, plus i dont have one..

oh ok, i thought you meant fire safety.

[DeesBalls]

Originally Posted by sickvenom

oh ok, i thought you meant fire safety.

nope, but you know, i just watched a few videos, and stuff, it dont look that hard.

just melt/scrape off the plastic to expose the metal...
then put the exposed wire on top of the metal...
and then solder it...
wrap up with electrical tape..

nother question, i want to "snake" the wiring, i dont want like 7 different cords running, so i want them all ran off of 1 cord. (see a few people do that, and the write up you posted had that) is this safe? and would that be okay to do...

i think now i am looking towards the soldering option, but 1 last thing, i have this wood burner, it gets really hot and its used to carve/burn wood engravings, i used it to put holes in my tub... can i find/buy JUST the little wire soldering thing? or do i need to buy a whole soldering iron kit?

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

[sickvenom]

Originally Posted by LiL_Boa

nope, but you know, i just watched a few videos, and stuff, it dont look that hard.

just melt/scrape off the plastic to expose the metal...
then put the exposed wire on top of the metal...
and then solder it...
wrap up with electrical tape..

it's not that hard, but you have to do it as fast as possible so you don't melt the wire insulation or the rest of the flexwatt. shouldn't be a problem though. also, you have to rough up the metal flexwatt contacts so the solder will stick. and make sure you get resin core solder.

Originally Posted by LiL_Boa

nother question, i want to "snake" the wiring, i dont want like 7 different cords running, so i want them all ran off of 1 cord. (see a few people do that, and the write up you posted had that) is this safe? and would that be okay to do...

very safe, assuming you are using a thermostat and checking your temps on a regular basis.

Originally Posted by LiL_Boa

i think now i am looking towards the soldering option, but 1 last thing, i have this wood burner, it gets really hot and its used to carve/burn wood engravings, i used it to put holes in my tub... can i find/buy JUST the little wire soldering thing? or do i need to buy a whole soldering iron kit?

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

i'm not sure if your wood burning tool will get hot enough to melt solder. some do and some don't. and i believe the tips might be made of different materials. you can always go buy some solder and see if your tool will melt it. the home depot sells small pen soldering irons for around $12.

[DeesBalls]

Originally Posted by sickvenom

it's not that hard, but you have to do it as fast as possible so you don't melt the wire insulation or the rest of the flexwatt. shouldn't be a problem though. also, you have to rough up the metal flexwatt contacts so the solder will stick. and make sure you get resin core solder.

Do you just have to rough up a little bit so you get a connection? or do you need to scrape off all of the plastic where the cord will be solderd too?

very safe, assuming you are using a thermostat and checking your temps on a regular basis.

It will be on a Rheostat to start with, then a thermostat once it gets all set up.

i'm not sure if your wood burning tool will get hot enough to melt solder. some do and some don't. and i believe the tips might be made of different materials. you can always go buy some solder and see if your tool will melt it. the home depot sells small pen soldering irons for around $12.

Thanks, i will check it out tomorrow and jsut do some tests and play around, i wont be doing this until middle of May when i move into my new house, i jsut want to make sure i know everything about it so when i do attempt it i can do it well.

[sickvenom]

Originally Posted by LiL_Boa

Do you just have to rough up a little bit so you get a connection? or do you need to scrape off all of the plastic where the cord will be solderd too?

first melt the plastic where the wire will be soldered, to expose the flexwatt metal. then use a razor blade or nail to rough up that small patch of metal where you are going to solder the wire. this will ensure that the solder has a good contact.

Originally Posted by LiL_Boa

It will be on a Rheostat to start with, then a thermostat once it gets all set up.

keep your eye on the temps and make sure your room temp is stable.

[DeesBalls]

Originally Posted by sickvenom

first melt the plastic where the wire will be soldered, to expose the flexwatt metal. then use a razor blade or nail to rough up that small patch of metal where you are going to solder the wire. this will ensure that the solder has a good contact.



keep your eye on the temps and make sure your room temp is stable.

okay, thanks alot, i will do that with the flexwatt metal to ensure a good connection, as for the temp, the room, the room does not have a thermostat, we just have an A/C running downstairs and the snakes will be upstairs. but it will be heavily monitored thought!!

[Jenn_06]

Got a ? after you solder do you put anything over it like tape?

[sickvenom]

Originally Posted by Jenn_06

Got a ? after you solder do you put anything over it like tape?

yes, you have to protect it with something. most people use electrical tape. i use liquid tape. it brushes on as a liquid and dries to a rubber-like texture. if you cut your flexwatt, you also have to cover up the bare metal ends on the end without the wires.

[DeesBalls]

Originally Posted by sickvenom

yes, you have to protect it with something. most people use electrical tape. i use liquid tape. it brushes on as a liquid and dries to a rubber-like texture. if you cut your flexwatt, you also have to cover up the bare metal ends on the end without the wires.

Thanks, did not know the last part!

[mykee]

"nother question, i want to "snake" the wiring, i dont want like 7 different cords running, so i want them all ran off of 1 cord. (see a few people do that, and the write up you posted had that) is this safe? and would that be okay to do..."

Yup, very safe. It may require more Flexwatt, and a few theromostats but IMO, it's the BEST way to go.
Here's how I do it:

Snake Rack

[DeesBalls]

Originally Posted by mykee

Yup, very safe. It may require more Flexwatt, and a few theromostats but IMO, it's the BEST way to go.
Here's how I do it:

Snake Rack

I like how you did that, but i am talking about more or less snaking the cords.. like having 1 cord connecting 7 different peices of flexxwat... lets see if i can find a pic.

like this:
http://http://www.beanfarm.com/heati...t_parallel.pdf

but i would have all the wiring in the back in the rack.

[sickvenom]

Originally Posted by LiL_Boa

I like how you did that, but i am talking about more or less snaking the cords.. like having 1 cord connecting 7 different peices of flexxwat... lets see if i can find a pic.

like this:
http://http://www.beanfarm.com/heati...t_parallel.pdf

but i would have all the wiring in the back in the rack.

You would have to strip the wire insulation at each solder point. It can be done, although I've never seen it done before.