Flexwatt reading over 115 degrees with laser thermometer. safe or not?

Well I have a melamine rack I made myself with back heat. In order for the temps to be 92.0 in the hot spot the heat tape while running *on/off thermostat* is about 115 to 120. Is this safe? It doesnt stay that way for very long but it still worries me. Anyone know?

hat's tyne issue with On/Off style thermostats, they run the flexwatt at full blast then turn them completely off to keep the desired temperature. running flexwatt that hot reduces the life of the heating element, but as long as the thermostat doesn't fail shouldn't be excessively dangerous.

Looks like its time to upgrade, I've been using a Hydro-farm, and that makes me nervous.

That's why I use herpstats.

Just got one, but thats going to my Incubator:(

I have a newer rack with back heat as well. I have to set my Herpstat to 114 for 90 degree hotspot.. Been fine so far.

With flexwatt heat tape, proportional T-stats are the way to go. It will greatly extend the life of the flexwatt.

I have back heat as well. The hot spot temps in the tub is 88-89. The thermostat is set to ~100. And the flexwatt itself is ~115.

No problems yet.

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Same here - I have one backheat unit that is regulated with a Helix - I have the Helix set to 104 in order to maintain a 90 degree hotside. I haven't had any problems.

With back heat you will have to run a huge increase in temp because you are heating the air and not the contact surface. I am not a fan of back heat even though my hatchling rack I built has it LOL
As long as all your connections are good, you should be too.

Actually, the 115 is very not good. This will turn into a thread about melted tub bottoms and "I almost started a fire".
Anything over 100 is not good and over 105 is very not good, especially since with the tub in place it is likely warmer than that.
When you measure your hot spot is that the bottom of the tub itself or is that on top of the substrate? What is your room temp at?
Back heat is a little different, the heat is not trapped between a shelf and a tub but can constantly radiate out, this is very seldom a problem running hotter BUT if you have to run it over 100 on hatchling tubs I will guess your room is on the cool side.

I have read that flexwatt was not designed for sustained temps over 100ºF and it is not recommended by the manufacturer. However I don't recall where I read that and cannot find any reference to it on the Calorique web site either. can anyone confirm this so far it is a myth I think.

Richs point is very good although the OP has back heat so the temp doesn't build up as much. I would be leery of running flexwatt over 100º too I never set temps that high. My question is what is the ambient room temp? Racks don't do well in rooms under 77ºF. It sounds like the room temp might be cooler than most would suggest.

Rich, thanks for the info. Currently both my adults and hatchlings are over 100 on the tape, but thats with back heat and the tubs are reading 90-92. Nothing is trapping heat on the heat tape but the melamine itself. Is it time to try something else?

I would maybe try lowering the tub temp to about 88-89. The BP's won't know the difference and that might get you back into more desirable heat tape temps. This is not always linear, sometimes a small adjustment in room temp or tub temp can equal a greater change in heat tape temp. Worth the effort.
I don't get anywhere near as alarmed about the 11" for back heat- htat virtually never is a problem but that does not me it can not be.

After following this thread - I went home and checked my setup. My backheat unit is running with the Helix at 105 in order to get a 90 hotside and an 80 coolside.

I pointed my tempgun right on the heattape and mine is running high at 115 - is this okay???

I would like to see where you all place your probe with backheat racks - I can't seem to get mine set.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by L.West

After following this thread - I went home and checked my setup. My backheat unit is running with the Helix at 105 in order to get a 90 hotside and an 80 coolside.

I pointed my tempgun right on the heattape and mine is running high at 115 - is this okay???

I would like to see where you all place your probe with backheat racks - I can't seem to get mine set.

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Sounds to me like you need to adjust your probe placement.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Sounds to me like you need to adjust your probe placement.

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How do I adjust it - that is what I was hoping someone could tell me. Do I move it further off the heattape or move it closer to the heattape.

Help please...

Sounds like you need to move the probe a little closer to the heat tape then adjust your setpoint after everything settles again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slim

Sounds like you need to move the probe a little closer to the heat tape then adjust your setpoint after everything settles again.

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So I should move the probe a little closer to touching the flexwatt and then up the number on my Helix to offset until my tubs are where I need them?

Will doing this reduce the power that my heattape is running at??

Move the probe a little closer to the flexwatt and let everything settle for an hour. Then adjust your setpoint to achieve your desired temp in the tubs. Logically, you should be adjusting down, so yes, you should be lowering the output of the tape.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slim

Move the probe a little closer to the flexwatt and let everything settle for an hour. Then adjust your setpoint to achieve your desired temp in the tubs. Logically, you should be adjusting down, so yes, you should be lowering the output of the tape.

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Thanks I will try this tonight after work.