Flexwatt question?

I finished building my plastic snake rack, just have to install the heat tape and im done. A little diffucult at first, but should have no problem the secon time around after breeding season :)

I ordered the clips this time round, and have questions about set up with them.

Should I scatch the surface of the flexwatt down to the copper, or do the clips puncture enough to get a good connection?

Must the electril cord wire run the entire length of the clip down to the teeth so it makes direct contact with the copper on the flexwatt or is attaching it to the eye and a quick sodder enough for a good connectin?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AlbertaBP

Should I scatch the surface of the flexwatt down to the copper, or do the clips puncture enough to get a good connection?


Must the electril cord wire run the entire length of the clip down to the teeth so it makes direct contact with the copper on the flexwatt or is attaching it to the eye and a quick sodder enough for a good connectin?

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I highly suggest soldering the flexwatt to the cord directly. Clips can come lose and/or not completely connect.
Personally, I remove a centimeter or two of the plastic off the flex metal strip then solder on the electrical cord.

The exposed wire on the electrical cord does not need to be as long as the metal clip. As long as a part of it is attached through the small loops of the clip and secured down(clamping it tight), it should carry the electric current fine.

I've had flexwatt soldered and clipped. The clipped flexwatt never got as hot as the soldered one and both were on the same thermostat. And I had some trouble with the clipped one as I had to scratch and puncture it a few times to get it secure. Even though it was connected, if the cord was pulling the clips a certain way, it stopped working. So that's why I like soldering it.

I agree soldering is much better just recently I noticed one of my racks was not getting to proper temps so I checked everything out and had one of my clips come loose a little next thing I know got sparks from poor contact and it burned the flexwatt. Luckily I was there otherwise could have been a fire( Not Cool) Soldered them all up now they are good to go all heating exactly the same. I would recommend that you remove the plastic coating if your going to use the clips.

my 2 cents.

X3 Soldering is easy and much better in the long run :)