MAJOR flexwatt issues

I'm having some trouble hooking up my flexwatt. I got 3 feet by 17 inches and tried hooking it up. It's not heating up as much as it should. At first it would not make any heat at all. It does produce some heat but not very much at all. I'd appreciate it if someone who has experience with flexwatt let me know what problems I may be having.

Did you get it pre-wired or did you wire it yourself?

My first guess is the electrical connections to the Flexwatt. They may not be properly touching the conductors of the Flexwatt, which could lead to poor functionality.

I wired it myself. I was thinking there was a poor connection. There is copper wiring wrapped around the connnectors, I don't really know how I could get that connection any better unless I had a soldering iron.

At first I think I had problems because the connecters weren't biting into the flexwatt strong enough. I am pretty sure that I fixed that, because I started getting heat. I don't know if I messed it up from the first time I clamped it down unsuccessfully or if it's something else that's the problem.

I'm planning on heating through 3/16" of plexiglass so It's going to need to get hotter than where it's at now.

I appreciate the advice. I'll try to get a better connection until I figure out anything more.

Yes, use a soldering iron lol.

We recently lost connection on one of our sections of flexwatt running our adult rack. Thankfully an alarm went off and we found that one of the connectors had come loose probably by just moving things around by the connector. Anyway I had to resecure the connector to the flexwatt. I would suggest soldering the ends on but be very careful not to overheat the conductor. It can become unlaminated to the rest of the flexwatt and make it no good.

Alright, thanks for the tips. I'm not too experienced with electricity and what not, but I think I understand what I'm doing. I decided to go for the soldering iron. I'm going to abandon the connector and solder the wire straight onto the flexwatt. Hopefully I can get a better connection when that is done.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ev477

I'm not too experienced with electricity and what not

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Paperclips + wall socket = bad.

:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nate

Paperclips + wall socket = bad.

:)

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OOooohhh THAT'S where it all went bad! :D

i only have 1 foot by 4 inches and it took abt 45 minutes to warm up completely and after 45 mins it read 96*F on the probe 15 min later jumped to 106 i soldered mine tho. did u give it time to heat up or just plug it in and go DANG NO HEAT ITS BROKE! lol just wondering not tryin to be mean :)

This might be helpful to you.

http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/flexwire.shtml