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Flexwatt Measurements

B

Buschjs

New member
I recently purchased 16 feet of 11" wide flexwatt heat tape so that I could finish the rack I built. Each shelf of my rack is 4 feet wide. The problem I am running into is that each 1 foot panel of flexwatt is 12.5", so each 4 foot section ends up being 2" too long.

Has anyone else had this problem?

Can I just cut 2" off of each 4 foot section?

Thanks
 
No, you have to cut between the heating elements or the circuit is not be complete, thus will not heat.

If you can cut 2" off without interupting the circuit, I don't see it being a problem.

Good luck!
 
The thinner flexwatt can be custom fit, which is one of the main reasons for using it. Is there any particular reason for using the 11"?
 
Sheesh, he already said it twice! You want it again. Third times a charm, eh?!

:twoguns:
 
I thought that typically you wanted a heated area 1/3 to 1/2 of the size of the enclosure. I am using 35 qt sterlites for my adults which are roughly 17.5" W X 24.5" L. I wanted to be sure that I had sufficient area of heated surface for my snakes. I have a ton of 4" flexwatt sitting around, and I will use it if it is sufficeint.
 
I use two parallel strips of 3" to very effectively heat blanket boxes to >81F. Unless you are keeping them in the garage or a basement where it will get really cold, the thin stuff should be sufficent.

Another thing to consider is the total wattage that you're planning on loading on the thermostat. The 11" sucks down a much higher wattage than either the 3" or 4".
 
I have sufficient thermostat capacity for my entire rack when using the 11", I am currently using a Helix which is capable of supplying 500 watts. I am going to consider using the thinner strips because i really didnt want a full 11", I was thinking more like 6" or 8".

The wattage will not change very much. 3" is 10 watts/foot, running two 3" strips will result in 20 watts/foot. 11" uses 20 Watts per foot. I am taking these numbers from the Bean Farm catalog. Please correct me if I am wrong.
 
Now I understand where you are coming from, I am using belly heat, a single strip underneath each container. I would prefer to stick with the belly heat it is what I am used to. I am currently switching from 20 G vivs to a rack. I have completed all of the woodworking, staining and finishing. I just need to finish up the heating and populate the rack with containers. I will consider my alternatives and I will post pics when I am finished. Thanks for your input, it was very helpful.
 
I do the same as CAV on some of my cages, I will just use the 3" to give me 6" easy cheesy...

PS from the longest points of the 11" you can get 12" maybe a little less.. You dont have to cut exactly on the dotted line...
 
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