Flexwatt buzzing?

[HypoPita]

Hey all. I just installed the flexwatt in my incubator (soldered it) and it was doing great for a while, but after a bit, I heard some buzzing. I couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from. Does that mean there is a loose connection? I don't hear it anymore. I'm relatively tech savvy, which is why I am confused. Thanks so much!

[Lucas339]

i just noticed my flex watt on my rack buzzing too.....i have no idea and want to hear from people on this too!!

[Skiploder]

Hey all. I just installed the flexwatt in my incubator (soldered it) and it was doing great for a while, but after a bit, I heard some buzzing. I couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from. Does that mean there is a loose connection? I don't hear it anymore. I'm relatively tech savvy, which is why I am confused. Thanks so much!

Do you have it hooked up to a thermostat?

I've heard flexwatt buzz when used with a proportional thermostat or a dimmer.

It may be a simple grounding issue. Any buzzing I had went away when I switched to grounded thermostats.

[anendeloflorien]

It may just be a grounding issue or it could be that it's just the sounds of the flexwatt warming up, the plastic expanding and contracting a little bit. Is it just when it's first turned on or is it a constant buzzing? I've never noticed that on the flexwatt on any of my racks and I wired up a lot of it myself.

[Morphie]

i have some buzzing flexwatt too. It's constant - and if i touch it where it's coming from i can feel a slight charge in my fingers.

I ordered it pre-wired from RBI. It's on a herpstat and isn't unreasonably hot or anything - i think it's harmless. Your mileage may vary.

[Skiploder]

It may just be a grounding issue or it could be that it's just the sounds of the flexwatt warming up, the plastic expanding and contracting a little bit. Is it just when it's first turned on or is it a constant buzzing? I've never noticed that on the flexwatt on any of my racks and I wired up a lot of it myself.

Mine buzzed when resistance was applied via a proportional thermostat at less than 100% power. If it was cranked up or on and on/off thermo - it didn't buzz.

Switching to a grounded stat stopped the problem (the flex was already grounded).

[Gloryhound]

The buzzing has to be coming from relative motion or tracking/arcing. It could be some surface moisture causing some surface currents or depending on cage construction a relative motion could be occuring due to the rotating magnetic field developed when AC flows through a conductor and this field is pushing or pulling on some metal object close to the flexwatt. To stop the relative motion issue in my rack designs I use a spray adhesive to glue it down then I take it down with aluminum tape. (Make sure you cover cut ends of flexwatt with electrical tape first.)

[Lucas339]

well that makes me feel alot better. i have it plugged into a herpstat.

[SlitherinSisters]

I wouldn't think the flexwatt would buzz I soldered the flexwatt myself also, however, not tech savy in that area at all. I didn't have any buzzing till I plugged my thermostat into a dimmer as an added safety precaution. The buzzing is now comming from my thermostat when it's on. I haven't had any problems with it.

[Skiploder]

well that makes me feel alot better. i have it plugged into a herpstat.

Dion from Spyder Robotics assisted me with troubleshooting the "buzz" and it was he who suggested retrofitting to the grounded stat.