flexwatt

ok guys im building some rack systems i wanna use flexwatt to heat them on rack is gonna be adults/juves one juves/babies and one babies which flex watt should i use? how close to the tubs should it be? will a dimmer switch work for flexwatt? and does anyone know where i can buy kits of flexwatt?

You can buy your flexwatt here http://www.reptilebasics.com/ they will wire it for you at no charges.

You will need to use a thermostat as well can be bought at the same place.

Reptile Basics HEATING X2;)
I have used a dimmer on emergency rescue too

ok but can u run it off a dimmer cuz i have thermometers out the wazoo so i was jw

I have but not for an extended period, I would just keep an eye on it. There is no reason you couldnt but it takes longer to dial in.

ok i appreciate it guys im just dont wanna burn down my house or anything

i would absolutely 100% reccommend a proportional thermostat, like a Herpstat or Helix.

i do not trust dimmers one bit, i have seen too much go wrong.

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Originally Posted by SquamishSerpents

i would absolutely 100% reccommend a proportional thermostat, like a Herpstat or Helix.

i do not trust dimmers one bit, i have seen too much go wrong.

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you have less chance of a dimmer going bad vs a thermostat, anything going wrong with a dimmer is user error.

dimmer is a variable resistor, just 1 basic component. thermostat is a electronic device with many components. I'm not saying thermostats aren't superior to a dimmer, but to say you don't trust them.... well they are the more reliable ones actually.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

you have less chance of a dimmer going bad vs a thermostat, anything going wrong with a dimmer is user error.

dimmer is a variable resistor, just 1 basic component. thermostat is a electronic device with many components. I'm not saying thermostats aren't superior to a dimmer, but to say you don't trust them.... well they are the more reliable ones actually.

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And when a dimmer goes out, they usually just quit working so you will find a cold snake and not a cooked one;)

How often does a good tstat go bad?

Not too often from what I am finding but just like any electrical item, they can go bad. I have a couple cheap ones and 2 are running strong but 1 was bad out of the box.

Thermostats don't go wrong often. But they can so can dimmers but not as frequently. The more complex something is the more components to fail. Dimmers almost always fail in cold mode, T-stats can in either off/or on. I personally run a dual t-stat set up one will shut down the other in case of failure.

However dimmers only ONLY work in a space that has STABLE temperatures and they do not change much. If you have a dedicated 'snake' room that is held at 80 (or whatever temperature) by an independent heat source (oil heater) Most people I know whom run dimmers have the heater on a T-stat (helix or herpstat in the 4 cases I can think of) The room doesn't vary much maybe 3 or 4 degrees from the hottest to coldest The rack temps vary with the room. The money you save you spend elsewhere (power, oil heater, T-stat for that) The only way you get it back is multiple racks.