another flexx watt temp Q?

I have recently build my first and i have all the tubs, flexx watt and wiring itmes to complete it, but befor i wired the fless watt i wanted to have a friends dad come over to make sure i was going to wire it correctly. his father is an electrician. I have seen alot of racks using a dimmer switch for temp control since mine is only a small rack (3 shelves) i was going to use one. Now i am being told the dimmer switch will get too hot and worst case scenario start a fire.

1.Has anyone ever seen a fire as a result of using a dimmer switch for temp control?If so why do you still see people using dimmer switches?

If it's properly wired then you should be ok. The only problem with a dimmer/rheostat is that if the room temp changes then the cage temp will, too. It cannot compenstate output like a thermostat can. But if your room temps are steady, then you should be good to go.

I have never personally seen it but I am sure it could happen if you used a light dimmer switch.


If you go to Lowes (or HD) you will see they make lamp dimmer switches and fan dimmer switches. The fan versions are 5X more expensive because they handle much more power if memory serves the will handle up to 500watts (which is the same as what most thermostats will handle).

Just make sure you get a high power dimmer switch if that is the way you want to go...but personally I would at least recommend you get a Ranco (or Johnson) thermostat (these can be had for $70 wired) then you won't have to worry and will have room to grow.