AP racks w/ routered in heating

i am using a barrs rack that holds 28 qt tubs and another similar rack that holds 32 qt tubs. both are heated with flexwatt tape (belly heat). i also have one of the 3 hole 41 qt snake shack racks from nature's spirit for my bigger girls, also heated with flexwatt (belly heat). the barrs rack is my favorite--it is lightweight but very sturdy and it has extra slots for the heat tape above the first enclosure and below the last enclosure so that there is much less of a temperature difference from the top to bottom of the rack. (often the top will be too hot while the bottom is too cold, but this helps to alleviate this.)

here is a link to barrs racks: http://www.herpcages.com/racks/rprice2.html. they do not come with heat installed, but matt at http://www.mgreptiles.com can hook you up with that.

A quick FYI. I tried wiring an 11" piece of flexwatt down the back of the rack and because of the lip on the edge of the iris CB70 tubs, I couldnt get the tub close enough to the heat source to get more than 86 degrees. I decided to go back to a piece of flexwatt under each box. I left the back of the rack off so that the connectors can hang down and dont get rubbed when the tub is pushed in. 92 degrees all the way around. I think back heat works if you can get your tub close enough to the heat source.

hey jamie, i was just on ap's site and they now can do the racks with flexwatt! i think the iris cb 70 (7tubs) and the sterilite 1960 (7tubs) are nice racks, i might get one in the near future. with flexwatt of course!


vaughn

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Originally Posted by kavmon

hey jamie, i was just on ap's site and they now can do the racks with flexwatt! i think the iris cb 70 (7tubs) and the sterilite 1960 (7tubs) are nice racks, i might get one in the near future. with flexwatt of course!


vaughn

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I have no problems with the quality of the racks. They rock! But the heat...

I will definitely go with flexwatt next time (I need another 3 slots soon anyway. I am also just considering building a couple racks myself and saving some cash. Clay Davenport has some good plans on his site for adult racks and for hatchling racks.

I personally put a small pot belly stove in there.. Gotta make sure you put the right amount of coal in though:)

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Originally Posted by justcage

I personally put a small pot belly stove in there.. Gotta make sure you put the right amount of coal in though:)

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Only you would come up with something like that!! haha...

I am a flexwatt convert. As long as its wired right and doesn't burst into flames, there is no substitute. I am going to go with soldering rather than connectors on the new order you sent. With those connectors, I cant put the back piece on my Iris rack and it messes with the stability. Solder and electrical tape should do it up right.

I have a combo of both here.. little solder, little clips.. Heck I even have soldered clips..lol I like to tinker with this stuff..

My first attempt at soldering didnt go so well. I need some advice on how to do it properly.

http://www.mgreptiles.com/FLEXWIRING.html

Ill give it a try. I suspect I need a new soldering iron because i have used that one so much I dont think it is getting enough heat at the tip. Thanks!