How to zig zag 4ich flexwatt through rack for belly heat?

Iv been looking for A thread on it but having no luck. Gona start building today. I want to use 1 contunious strip for the whole thing. Just wanted to know how everyone does it? Just place it and tape it??

I would be worried about the flexwatt getting pinched or bent. It's not hard to cut it and solder the pieces together, which is what I do. I would like to see some pics of this set up too!

here how i could draw it in text
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if ur gonna zig zag it in one piece I would think you would want to cut a thin channel in your side panels so the flexwatt can slip by, guess you could also cut it in the side of each shelf.

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Originally Posted by SlitherinSisters

I would be worried about the flexwatt getting pinched or bent. It's not hard to cut it and solder the pieces together, which is what I do. I would like to see some pics of this set up too!

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I havent screwed the sides in tight, so there is room to slide the flexwatt in and tape it. Then i will slowly tighten the sides, but not overtight where the flexwatt will get pinched.

I always use one piece per shelf so if one isnt in use, its unplugged not wasting power. When needed just plug it in and let it heat up for a hour and ready to go.

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/s...m/100_3635.jpg

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

I always use one piece per shelf so if one isnt in use, its unplugged not wasting power. When needed just plug it in and let it heat up for a hour and ready to go.

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/s...m/100_3635.jpg

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Good idea! For myself, I'm not paying electricity now and using one piece seems easier to me as well as having less wires to deal with(I hate wires). Also I had issues with multiple pieces running on one Herpstat. This way, everything is using the same heat so adjusting is easy as it can get. Figured I will need 9 feet of 4 inch heat. Bought a new roll of aluminum tape today so I'm ready to go. After I install all the heat, I will snug up the sides, screw the back on and let it warm up for awhile before I put the tubs in. Will also have to drill a hole for a thermometer probe and tstat probe, I forgot. Anything I'm missing??

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Originally Posted by SlitherinSisters

I would be worried about the flexwatt getting pinched or bent. It's not hard to cut it and solder the pieces together, which is what I do.

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Same here. Cutting grooves in the melamine seems to defeat the purpose of using melamine. I have a flexwatt crimper, so it makes wiring up each piece even easier.

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Originally Posted by Wh00h0069

Same here. Cutting grooves in the melamine seems to defeat the purpose of using melamine. I have a flexwatt crimper, so it makes wiring up each piece even easier.

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Seems like alot more work to me doing it your way. The flexwatt dosn't get pinched my way and the bends are rounded, not 90 degree bends, so they aren't any creases in it.