flexwatt ?

I am wondering how hot the 4 inch flexwatt should get? I have had a 2 ft piece on for 24 hrs and it is only at 83 degree's. does it matter what side is up and what side is down? I have nothing controlling it at the moment but will when I put snakes on it.

its not safe even if snakes are not on it to not have it hooked up to a tstat or reostat

Sounds like it is not wired correctly, What did you use to get the metal connectors on with? IT can catch on fire if it does decide to start working.

you dont have good connections did you crimp them on or just push then together? 4" should get to be around 130+. got to lowes home depot or even walmart and get a dimmer switch there only a few bucks and work great i have them on about 5 of my racks.

You have a bad connection somewhere. Most probable place is the metal peice to the flex watt if you used them. If not there then the next place is the crimp around the wire. If it is getting to 83 degrees and in a room with a cooler than 83 degrees that means some current is flowing, just not enough.

thanks for the info I had it hooked up to a dimmer switch but it didn't get hot so I removed the dimmer to make sure that wasn't the problem. I am not sure about the connections as it came wired. I have another piece of it so I guess I will try that piece and see if it gets hotter. thanks.