Power of Flex Watt Heat Tape? Heat per Cubic Foot?

So I'm building an incubator out of a wine cooler. Yeehaw!

It's roughly 5.2 cubit feet on the interior. I'll be keeping ball python eggs in there, so the goal is that ~90*.

I'll run running a Helix Control Thermostat.

I'd like to keep that part of the build as simple as possible, so I really like the kit that Blue Apple puts together, but they only sell 3" and 11" tape. The center channel on the back is about 6.25" wide. So I can't run the 11" tape.

If I ran the 3" tape for about three feet along the bottom/back of the incubator, would that produce sufficient heat? I see that some places sell 6" tape, but none with that simplistic clip design. Any thoughts?

I see the Reptile Basics 6" kit as well. That looks like the jam, perhaps.

PS: I am handy with a soldering iron, so if I'm over complicating the process, let me know.

I made an incubator out of a wine cooler as well. I ran about 18" of the 11" flexwatt up the back. Maybe you can run the 3" flexwatt up both sides of the channel. I don't know if 1 section of 3" would stay warm enough. You could always set it up and see. I would rather have extra and let the Herpstat control it. I wouldn't want to risk it not getting warm enough.

BTW, I soldered mine and used the plastic protectors and then filled them will silicone the protect them from moisture.

The 6" should work well, you can see the THG soldering instructions here- http://thgheat.com/diy-solder-heat-tape-connections/

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Originally Posted by Robyn@SYR

The 6" should work well, you can see the THG soldering instructions here- http://thgheat.com/diy-solder-heat-tape-connections/

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Thank you. I decided to order the 6". :)

I can't wait to get this thing up and running.

Cooler
3' x 6" Heat Tape
Helix Thermostat
Two PC fans
Analog Hygro/Thermo inside
Digital Wireless Thermo inside.

I used a coke machine and put (roughly) about 5' of 3 " heat tape in mine. I ran it from the one side, across the bottom and up the other side ( like a large U of heat tape) and set a simple on/off t-stat and it works great. I found that if you put a lot of the water bottles in there it helps the heat come back up faster when you open the door. I had great success with it too hatching out 3-4 clutches over the last 2 years. with a whopping 4 planned right now for this year.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mechnut450

I used a coke machine and put (roughly) about 5' of 3 " heat tape in mine. I ran it from the one side, across the bottom and up the other side ( like a large U of heat tape) and set a simple on/off t-stat and it works great. I found that if you put a lot of the water bottles in there it helps the heat come back up faster when you open the door. I had great success with it too hatching out 3-4 clutches over the last 2 years. with a whopping 4 planned right now for this year.

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Thanks. I only plan on having two clutches this year. Just crossing my fingers for the future. :)