Wiring Flex-Watt

[Halfdawg]

I have a rack with 2 rows of 3 inch flex-watt 3 feet long. I want to add 2 tubs on top of the rack using 4 inch flex-watt. Can I wire in the 4 inch or does it all have to be the same size?

Thanks Richard

[Krazy99CL]

its best to use the same size. I wont heat the same. They are going to off slightly. Ive used 3'' and 11'' together and it didnt work out to say the least. But you can try it bc I dont think a inch matters much. I would just get another thermostat or the same size.

Hope this helps.

[CntrlF8]

3" flex = 10 watts per foot
4" flex = 8 watts per foot

That's a 20% difference in power requirements for the same amount of heat. If they're both on the same circuit one will be hotter than the other...

[Blue Apple Herps]

Yeah, if you use different sizes flexwatt, then you need separate controls for each size.

[CntrlF8]

Well, to be fair, it's entirely possible to use a single thermostat for different sizes of flex. You just need an aditional control source (i.e. a rheostat/dimmer) to lower the temp of the "hotter" piece...

[Halfdawg]

Jim
You are right now that I think about it. I could put a dimmer on the 3 inch and adjust the t-stat on the 4 inch to 94 degree's and then adjust the dimmer to get the 3 inch to 94. This is just going to be a short term fix. I am picking up a pair of het albino friday night for $200, so I need to get them something setup to keep them warm. I plan on build a larger rack system in the next week or two.

Thanks Richard