Flexwatt is making a buzzing noise....help please

Usually the buzzing sound is due to grounding issue, Re check your connections and be sure the flexwatt has no open areas the aluminum tape is touching causing it to ground out.

Is this a Wood or Metal rack

Your proportional control is likely a dimming proportional control rather than a pulse proportional. The dimming type will often cause a hum or buzzing of some types of heating (like flexwatt) If you run it is non proportional it will stop, however all the drawbacks of on off units come into play. I am not sure the buzz is a big issue but I'd check with the manufacturer.

What T-stat are you using?

excerpt from Dion Brewington and mine email conversation about new line.
...
"The Intro does have " Advanced dimming proportional control" checked. That’s
the standard of all of our products. We recently added pulse proportional
to the Herpstat 1 and 2 models but the intro doesn't really need it as the only
real advantage of pulse proportional is avoiding hum with racks which
the intro (being a non-grounded anyway) is not marketed for."
...

Hope this helps!
Alex

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Geckodelic

Ok, so i set it to non-proportional and the buzzing stopped. Does this mean that the buzzing isn't a loose connection, and if I wanted to switch it to proportional I won't have a problem?

To the poster above, why don't i want it to be non-proportional? Does it heat the rack differently?

Thanks for the help

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You can run the thermostat on non-proportional, if you switch to proportional it will buzz again.

I would still check all the connections as you can't be too safe.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

Your proportional control is likely a dimming proportional control rather than a pulse proportional. The dimming type will often cause a hum or buzzing of some types of heating (like flexwatt) If you run it is non proportional it will stop, however all the drawbacks of on off units come into play. I am not sure the buzz is a big issue but I'd check with the manufacturer.

What T-stat are you using?

excerpt from Dion Brewington and mine email conversation about new line.
...
"The Intro does have " Advanced dimming proportional control" checked. That’s
the standard of all of our products. We recently added pulse proportional
to the Herpstat 1 and 2 models but the intro doesn't really need it as the only
real advantage of pulse proportional is avoiding hum with racks which
the intro (being a non-grounded anyway) is not marketed for."
...

Hope this helps!
Alex

---

Hes using the new herpstat 2.. My guess is faulty wiring

hmm the 2 should be free of dimmer buzz, Rich is right I'd check the wiring and shoot a email to Dion.

The buzzing noise that you are hearing is a form of interference called harmonic resonance. This occurs in some locations depending upon The frequency of your home AC voltage. This only occurs when you are using flexwatt that is touching metal such as foil tape and you are using a proportional thermostat. The solution is to either use the thermostat in the non-proportional mode or you can remove the foil tape and place it only on the very edge. I had the same problem and I researched it extensively and I spoke to Dion at spider robotics, The good news is that there is nothing wrong with your equipment the T stat is okay and the flexwatt is okay
Again this does not happen to everyone who has the same set up, it only happens to some lucky people in some houses, I guess we are just the lucky ones.

I had a similar situation happen before and it was buzzin at the connection at the clip. Un plug it and check to see if the connection is loose. If it is either cut and inch off the tape and put new clips or solder and you should be good. If you dont have enough length to cut the inch then replace it. Id recommend soldering over doing clips. Now ive also heard buzzing noise in the past coming from my helix on my old incubator but now im using a non porportional thermostat on my walk in incubator cause there isnt a non porportional stat on the market that can handle a space heater.

Well I fixed the buzzing! It turned out to be the aluminum tape. I took every piece off and the buzzing has stopped!

Thanks for the help

No problem, glad you got it worked out!

I have experienced the buzzing while using foil tape to secure my flexwatt. I ditched all of the foil tape and replaced it all with blue painters tape and the problem was solved. I like the painters tape to secure my flexwatt better anyway because it's MUCH easier to remove if you need to inspect or rewire anything.