Heat mat help

[Kikary]

The more wattage a heat has the bigger it is?

Currently i have a RUB set up with a i think a heat mat of 7w and a distance of more or less 3 cm between the mat and the bottom of the RUB.

The mat is not giving off much heat, not enought to pass trough the bedding (2cm deep aspen).

Ideas:

Thin the bedding depth in the hot spot?
Get a bigger (more wattage) mat?
...

Thanks

[BCS]

The heat mat should be taped to the underside of the tub with direct contact. Heat mats are not very good at spreading heat and are usually only used for a heat spot regulated by a thermostat. The heat most likely wont make it past 3 cm of straight air.

[Kikary]

Ummm, im just scared the plastic will melt but the rub is made os polystyrene so you think it will be alright?

Her hot spot temp is 88F.

How can i tape it, is there especial tape or normal tape works?

Also, how do people do with racks? Some i see have a distance between the rub and the mat so how does that work? Or its not a heat mat but something different?

[Eric Alan]

The heat mat should be taped to the underside of the tub with direct contact. Heat mats are not very good at spreading heat and are usually only used for a heat spot regulated by a thermostat. The heat most likely wont make it past 3 cm of straight air.

For emphasis.

[Kikary]

For emphasis.

Yes. I have a diming thermostate already connected to it 😀

[Eric Alan]

Yes. I have a diming thermostate already connected to it 😀

As long as it's working properly, there's no reason to worry about it damaging the under side of your tub/rub. For perspective, 88°F (31°C) is a warm summer day. Would you be worried about it melting sitting outside on a day like that?

[bcr229]

Also, how do people do with racks? Some i see have a distance between the rub and the mat so how does that work? Or its not a heat mat but something different?

It's heat tape not a mat, but it works the same way. Usually there's a shallow groove that has been machined into the shelf, maybe 1/8 inch (2-3 mm) deep so the tub doesn't rub on it when it's slid in and out of the rack.

[Kikary]

As long as it's working properly, there's no reason to worry about it damaging the under side of your tub/rub. For perspective, 88°F (31°C) is a warm summer day. Would you be worried about it melting sitting outside on a day like that?

Ahahsh so true XD

[Kikary]

So how do i tape it? normal tape or must be some special one?


Or i can raise it up till is snug with the Rub?

[Eric Alan]

So how do i tape it? normal tape or must be some special one?


Or i can raise it up till is snug with the Rub?

Foil tape (for HVAC most commonly) is a good option. You can find it at a local hardware store. You could snug it with the rub, but I'd be worried about it and/or your thermostat probe moving if it weren't more secure than that.