Flexwatt Heat tape

[grahamh]

Enclosure building is something that seems to be a regular part of herp keeping. So far I've built 4 enclosures and a small rack. I've used heat tape quite a bit for a variety of applications but was interested in the warning I found in the following article.

G 8)

http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/flexburn.html

 

[Magpie]

I guess that's just part of using any unfused electrical device.

 

[Alexahnder]

i didn't think taht heat tabe was suitable for wooden enclosues. Heat mats aren't

 

[Guest]

I use heat tape in lots of enclosures, it's great stuff. I've never had any problems using it in my wooden enclosures. you need to use a thermostat though

 

[Brodie]

Hi,
I know of people that have had no probs with it and some that have. I wouldn't have any probs using it as long as i had a thermostat. But I would be very careful where i put it.
Cheers

 

[africancichlidau]

If using heat tape INSIDE an enclosure what are suitable substrates to cover it?

 

[Fangs]

Just a word of caution for anyone thinking that a thermostat will avoid any appliance overheating.It WONT.A thermostat that packs it in can do so in two different ways.The first being that it "open circuits" in which case there would be no problem.The second way is if it "short circuits" and fuses in the on position in which case you know what would happen.
The safest way is to run two thermostats on the circuit that way if one fuses on the other takes over.

cheers M.......

 

[africancichlidau]

Excellent point Fangster, I actually use two stats on my more valuable Cichlids. I have seen too many fish par boiled to run the risk with just one stat.
Also it is possible for some devices to catch fire through the occurence of a short circuit before the enclosure reaches the temp of the set point on the thermostat so while it is an added safeguard the use of a stat is by no means full protection from a device bursting into flames.

 

[NoOne]

Never trust the max temp on heat tape.
My father has been a sparky for 30yrs and i've worked with him on and off since leaving school about 6yrs ago and it would amaze people some of the things that go up in smoke for no reason. One strand of loose wire is it takes.
Be very careful when wiring cages and if you aren't sure get help.

 

[grahamh]

Currently I have dimmer's on the input to the tape. There's no thermostat, I'm relying on the reduced power to keep the heat in check. I don't know if the dimmer itself cn break down and cause a problem.

What would happen if the coil in the dimmer packs up. Can this in itself cause a further problem?

G 8)

 

[africancichlidau]

Just the same as the stats Graham in that they can either go open circuit or short circuit, in the case of the latter it is then the same as not having a dimmer at all. There really is no 100% safeguard unless you want to spend huge dollars and and duplicate all pieces of equipment.

 

[grahamh]

I've got some ideas about control of enclosure environments that I'm working on. It's definately important to have the safeguards in place to ensure the safety of your animals and don't forget the house itself.

I need to make a few mods to my setups now that you've got me thinking.

G 8)