I made another rack yesterday that holds a variety of sizes. This rack will hold Sterilite 41Qt, 28Qt, and 12.7Qt tubs. It measures 49" across and 49" tall. I used back heat for the majority of the rack. The top three shelves I only heated half of. We are expecting baby Geckos. My wife does them so I was not sure of their needs and this allows us to regulate their temps separately. I used Flexwatt and just have it plugged in straight no thermostat. My room temp is between 72 and 75 degrees on average. The heat is getting the tubs to around 92 give or take a little. I used peg board as the backing to help with air flow. I used lids with this set up, but you don't have to. I would just make the shelves a little tighter. Hope this helps you guys if you were considering doing anything like this.
http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt265/Gary-b546/Racks%20and%20enclosures/IMG_7157.jpg
http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt265/Gary-b546/Racks%20and%20enclosures/IMG_7159.jpg
Gary

Flexwatt plugged in straight, NO thermostat?

I have had it plugged in for three days with nothing getting over 93. The Flexwatt maxes out at around 126. With all the air flow and insulation of the plastic tub itself I don't foresee it being a problem. The racks that I use belly heat with I use a thermostat, because when setting it up I have seen temps well over a 100. My lower temp racks I also use back heat with a thermostat. If you guys have experienced something different I am all ears, but have spoken to others that set it up this way and have not had any problems. The only thing I could see going wrong is if the room gets very hot and that would change the temps.
Gary

Only problem I can for-see is it running full power all the time and burning. Killing your collection, or worse.

I dont think Flexwatt is supposed to be ran at full power all the time.

I am in no way trying to be rude man, but a thermostat is something you should NEVER go without.

Thank you for your concern. I really didn't think you were being rude. Could have used the compliment sandwich though. LOL. Seriously I called flexwatt and they do suggest using a stat. This is more to cover themselves. The tape can be run constantly. Their concern is outside influences. My room is totally separate from the rest of the house as far as temp. Therefore I am able to control the ambient and that was the concern of the flexwatt guy. Like I told him if I hook up a stat at 93 and the tape is running constant the stat is merely a precaution. Now if you can't run it all the time should I use two sets of mats and stagger them being run. He told me that that was not necessary. Also if you are using an on/off thermostat the tape is at full power until it shuts off. Thank you for your question. Please don't ever hesitate as that is how you learn. Ask Stephi I never stop asking questions and enjoy finding the answers.
Gary

I wonder why Rich at Reptile Basics says that the manufacturer says different.....

First paragraph

http://www.reptilebasics.com/flexwatt-faq.html

Well, it's definitely a nice looking rack man.

I'd be concerned about the possibility of a power surge, at least with a thermostat (or ath the very least a dimmer switch) you've got a breaker in between the wall and the tape. I've seen quite a few instances where the tape has gotten hot enough to burn through the bottom of a tub.

I used Flexwatt and just have it plugged in straight no thermostat.

:eek: You have bigger balls then me. At the very minimum I would build a dimmer switch for $7. I have heard a few horror stories about heat tape failing at full power and melting and burning snakes. Is there heat tape on both sides? I don't see any behind the small tubs.

I wonder why Rich at Reptile Basics says that the manufacturer says different.....

First paragraph

http://www.reptilebasics.com/flexwatt-faq.html

That's a great help page, thanks for posting the link. :)

It touches on a subject that I'm sure there are some super-knowlegeable folk (herein after referred to as Those More Knowledgeable than I) who can explain much better than I- Wattage density. He's using 11" heat tape, which yields the lowest possible heat output, according to the RB page, .15 watts / sq in.

Now, Those More Knowledgeable Than I can also better explain how when you put a bunch of units on one circuit, it reduces the wattage. It was explained to me once like a pizza. If you order a pizza (you are ONE unit plugged in) YOU get all the slices, once you invite friends to eat, (more things plugged in) you get less slices per person (less power to each individual "thing" plugged in). And everyone is happy (everything functions appropriately), so long as they get at least one "slice of pizza" (minimum amount of power required to activate the device). However, a bulb or heat mat or anything that could be measured on a continuum (brightness, temp, speed of fan, etc) would function in accord with "how many slices of pizza" they got, i. e. more slices (more power) the brighter, warmer, faster it would be. Once all of the "slices of pizza" are spoken for, if you "invite more friends" (draw more current than available), they "call out for more pizza" (blow the breaker). Please correct the analogy as appropriate.

Apparently, Gary has enough running on the circuit, with enough buffer between the heat panel and the tub, to only produce a temp in the tubs of 93. As it's understood, even if you plugged it into a thermostat set at 93, it would have to run constantly anyway to maintain those temps. I don't know how a proportional vs. an on/off thermostat would affect that, but Those More Knowledgeable than I are encouraged to sound off on that.

Maybe one of Those More Knowledgeable than I can start a thread or refer us to a thread about power consumption and use of heat and light sources on the same circuit, etc.

:)

Nice looking rack

Nice looking rack and the only thing I can say about the heat tape is in my own personal experience something happens over time and the heat tape tends to run hotter, not sure why...:cheers:

hmmm... I think a thermostat would set my mind at ease, even if they say it isn't needed. just as a very inexpensive sort of insurance to cover a costly investment.

hmmm... I think a thermostat would set my mind at ease, even if they say it isn't needed. just as a very inexpensive sort of insurance to cover a costly investment.

I agree Shad. also... it's a nice rack but i too would use a t-stat on it.

I run t-stats or dimmers with anything that has belly heat or 3" tape, however, I've been running my 41qt back heat racks without a t-stat. The shape of the sterilite tubs provides enough of a buffer to prevent the hot end of the tubs from getting above 90.

Having said that, as I told Gary earlier, I've been planning on picking up a t-stat just to be on the safe side. The only problem is that I may very well have to redesign my racks in order to generate enough heat. Does anyone using the 11" tape as back heat in a 41qt rack have any problems with temps?

:eek: You have bigger balls then me. At the very minimum I would build a dimmer switch for $7. I have heard a few horror stories about heat tape failing at full power and melting and burning snakes. Is there heat tape on both sides? I don't see any behind the small tubs.

How would you use a dimmer switch which lowers the temp of the heat tape to get the same temperature?:dunno: I also stated that the top three shelves are only half heated due to the arrival of the Geckos. The rest of the rack is heated with 11" flexwatt 1' in from each side.
Gary
Ps as long as we are correcting I will hop on the bandwagon It should be Than.

I wonder why Rich at Reptile Basics says that the manufacturer says different.....

First paragraph

http://www.reptilebasics.com/flexwatt-faq.html

Yes as I stated also the manufacturer suggests using a thermostat which I did not deny. This tape does have a 100% duty cycle and the thermostat is a precaution. I really don't like your condescending manner in that I am lying about what I was told.Jeepguy Thank you for your concern. I really didn't think you were being rude. Could have used the compliment sandwich though. LOL. Seriously I called flexwatt and they do suggest using a stat. This is more to cover themselves. The tape can be run constantly. Their concern is outside influences. This is the same thing that Rich is saying so I don't understand how it is different. My original reply was to you saying that it is not supposed to be run all the time. 2kdime I dont think Flexwatt is supposed to be ran at full power all the time.
This is what led me to calling Calorique.Like I told him if I hook up a stat at 93 and the tape is running constant the stat is merely a precaution. Now if you can't run it all the time should I use two sets of mats and stagger them being run. He told me that that was not necessary. Also if you are using an on/off thermostat the tape is at full power until it shuts off You not properly reading the subject matter and then posting on it negatively is offensive. I would suggest instead of telling people how they are wrong or untruthful you take your time in reading and understanding what is being discussed. I post things to be helpful. If I am wrong or misinformed I will do my best to rectify it. As I did by calling Calorique no one is perfect, but no one needs to be spoken to poorly either.
Gary

I have had it plugged in for three days with nothing getting over 93. The Flexwatt maxes out at around 126. With all the air flow and insulation of the plastic tub itself I don't foresee it being a problem. The racks that I use belly heat with I use a thermostat, because when setting it up I have seen temps well over a 100. My lower temp racks I also use back heat with a thermostat. If you guys have experienced something different I am all ears, but have spoken to others that set it up this way and have not had any problems. The only thing I could see going wrong is if the room gets very hot and that would change the temps.
Gary


really....no thermostat on flexwatt = an accident waiting to happen.

burning out a heat mat is one thing.....burning down your home is another.

Pitoon

Jeepguy

I didnt mean to come across as an ass, sorry about that.

I suppose I was just fired up about the idea of using Flexwatt without a thermostat.

The idea just doesnt make sense to me at all, despite what Calorique told you.

I also am realizing I am getting fired up simply because I am looking out for not only your animals well being, but your own and your family's.

I would NEVER trust Flexwatt without a thermostat, with the amount of money anyone invests into their animals, whats the cost of a thermostat?

Its peace of mind.

I wish the best for you

I run t-stats or dimmers with anything that has belly heat or 3" tape, however, I've been running my 41qt back heat racks without a t-stat. The shape of the sterilite tubs provides enough of a buffer to prevent the hot end of the tubs from getting above 90.

Having said that, as I told Gary earlier, I've been planning on picking up a t-stat just to be on the safe side. The only problem is that I may very well have to redesign my racks in order to generate enough heat. Does anyone using the 11" tape as back heat in a 41qt rack have any problems with temps?

Mike that arboreal rack I made, that I will be sending with you next weekend is a 56 qt with 11" on a t-stat. It works great just have to set the temp a bit higher than usual.:yes:

How would you use a dimmer switch which lowers the temp of the heat tape to get the same temperature?:dunno: I also stated that the top three shelves are only half heated due to the arrival of the Geckos. The rest of the rack is heated with 11" flexwatt 1' in from each side.
Gary
Ps as long as we are correcting I will hop on the bandwagon It should be Than.

First of all I was not correcting you. I said you have bigger balls THAN me. I would at a minimum run a dimmer switch and turn it down a hair. I have heard horror stories about flex-watt running wide open. We all told you our concerns if you don't agree that is fine.

PS As long as YOU feel the need to correct people:
You not properly reading the subject matter and then posting on it negatively is offensive.

That would be you are or you're. Hope that helps.

Love the racks. Good luck on all the soon to be gecko arrivals. I don't use 11" flexwatt, but do use 3" and 4" with a t-stat. I do have a friend that burned a few containers in a rack while using 3".

Can anyone help with the reduction in output of power when multiple units are hooked up on the same circuit to discuss if that is a factor in the use of flexwatt? Does anyone know the the ohms from one unit of flexwatt? Don't we have any electricians or electrical engineers on this board who can help?

:)

Nice rack but thats just crazy.