DO NOT hook your thermostat up to an extension cord!

Lately ive noticed that my temps have needed a lot of adjusting lately, when normally my thermostat does great. I wake up this morning to find (out of three that is hooked up) the bottom flexwatt turned off, the middle one hot, and the top one even hotter! The top one was at 104 degrees! So as I'm trying to find a solution I start thinking, why are they all so different? I hooked them up right? That was one of my concerns, that somehow I did not hook the flexwatt up correctly. So before I go and order some new ones pre wired I take one last look and remember that I have my thermostat hooked up to an extension cord that I keep my lights hooked into(over head light So i can see the rack). I plug the TS into the wall and now everything seems to be going back to normal, even the one that was giving out no heat.

Anyone else had this problem? I just didnt think that a EC could cause such a problem:rolleyes:

I had a similar issue with my flexwatt not working, and then suddenly working again. I'm pretty sure that it is a problem with the connection between the flexwatt and the metal connectors. Did you have your connectors crimped on with the special tool or did you do them yourself? A weak connection can cause fluctuations in temperatures.

the temps are going back to normal now so I am sure that it was changing the power source.

i have mine plugged into a power strip, is that bad?

What type of thermostat are you using?

I use Helix and I don't have any issues using an extension cord or power strip.

I've never had a problem using one with my Helix's or Herpstat Pro's. I have had simular issues with trying to use an old cord when putting my flex watt together or an old power strip with worn out plugs to go between the T-stat and flex watt. Not again. I alway buy a new cord for each piece of flex watt and each rack gets new power strips when I put it together.

You have to make sure if your using a power strip or extenstion cord that it is rated for the amount of power you are using! It's a serious fire hazard if you buy cheapo from wally world and expect it to work like a heavy duty cord.

http://www.ul.com/consumers/cords.html

http://www.ul.com/regulators/educati...nsionCords.pdf

Like Connie said above, using an extension cord or power strip is just fine as long as it is rated correctly and the connections are tight between the two.

That was my thought as well. Normally an EC shouldn't cause problems...unless its not rated correctly. Remember, those t-stats use and put out a lot of power, so the cord you use has to be able to fully support that power. Normal old house ECs don't cut it with a t-stat.

Glad you caught it when you did, tho.

Thank you for the info on that, I'm guessing that was it. I think this needs to be more widely spread because i had no idea!