Rack heating question

I was originally planning on purchasing a rack but after looking through the forums I have decided to build one instead (that way the money I save can be put into more BP's. :D I plan to have the rack in my living room since that is where the thermostat is and heat is best regulated in the winter time. In winter the temperature doesn't drop below 70 but in summer it can get to 75-78. My question is due to the 70 degree ambient would back heat or belly heat be better? The first thought was a 6 slot 41qt rack with 11" back heat but now I am leaning a bit towards a rack that can hold 32 and 41qt tubs and for that I was thinking 4" belly heat for the 32's and 11" belly for the 41's. The big questions is would one be better then the other for maintaining cool side temps? Maybe I should consider adding side wall heat on a seperate thermostat to help raise ambient? I am trying to stay away from using an oil type room heater.

I would use belly heat, and maybe add side heat if needed.

Belly heat for bps.

I used belly heat in my melamine rack. I recently got a rack from RBI and love it 10x more. Im not telling you what to do but buying a pvc rack is definetly the way to go imo.

I use belly heat and I also use heat cable.with the cable you only have 1 plug and you can arrange the cable to your liking on both sizes of tubs.....Hope that helps:)

Belly:gj:

well that answered my question without even asking belly heat it is

Thanks for all the input and belly heat it is. Today I stopped at Wal Mart and after looking at the standard 32qt tubs I really didn't like the big buldging ridge around it. I figured it makes for really a uneven surface for the heat to transfer. I had some in my hand then as I walked past the next isle I found. Sterilite cart. I started to compare the dimensions and found the drawers of the cart are about the same surface area with a little added hight. The bonus was the drawers pull out and are almost perfectly flat with the exception of a little ridge which can easily be sanded off. :D I had originally thought about putting the drawers in sideways but no decided to build it almost as is so the drawers slide out. I will use belly heat but just have it on one side instead of towards the back of the shelf.

Oh and the other day I covered third shift at work so started to browse around at the large selection of HVAC parts. Since I was the only one from my company on 3rd I found a little project that kept me busy. :gj:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h140/harleybro/tn.jpg

That cart doesnt work very well as a rack;)
many have had jail breaks from them:gj: