Flexwatt clips vs solder

So I just got my order of 4'' heat tape and clips from RBI and I've been reading that mostly everyone prefers the solder method. Does it make a huge difference?

If I were to scrape off the plastic on the metal strips where I'm clipping it will that give a better connection and work as well? Space isn't an issue in this rack so bulkiness is okay.

I've already got the clips and I don't really feel like going to buy a soldering gun but I will if that's going to make a huge difference.

Also I had ordered it cut but I guess they missed it so I'll be cutting it myself, I know not to cut the black but I put a piece of electrical tape over the cut ends without wire right?

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

Yes, the ends that dont get clips need to be covered.

I use clips and some like solder, really it wont make a difference as long as you get good crimps and connections.

Unless you Know how to solder I wouldn't bother... The clips can be an issue when they are installed without the proper crimping tool. RBI uses the correct tool, and knows what they are doing. Soldering makes it more likely to have uneven power flow, (especially if you don't know what you are doing) and can even pickup unwanted interference.

Thanks guys. I don't have a crimping tool, do you think using pliers will get the job done if I do things carefully?

It won't be as good as if the crimping tool was used, but it can be done. I would use a bench vise personally.

I have a set a large jaw pliers that work great on them

I prefer soldering, but I've used the clips fine in the past. You just got to make sure they're clamped on tight. I had a loose connection once with the clips and it only gave power to the flexwatt when it was bent a certain way. I didn't catch it right away when i was testing it. Thats the only thing I would loom out for.

And using pliers are fine. And I would scrape off some of the plastic off the metal strips on the flexwatt to ensure a good connection with the clips.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Soldering makes it more likely to have uneven power flow, (especially if you don't know what you are doing) and can even pickup unwanted interference.

---

Actually its just the opposite, a good solder joint will give a near zero resistance connection and does not fail under normal conditions. As for "interference".... what are you talking about? The clips are a pressure connection and reversible. There is more potential for a high resistance connection to form over time on something that heats and cools (expansion and contraction)

Assuming both are installed correctly, are both safe and work? yes, but to say whats better.... soldering is the easy answer.

Yeah I just used the clips. I scraped the plastic to ensure a better connection and after everything was wired I e-taped the hell outta it to make sure that it wouldnt get bumped loose and that there was no open electrical current.... They work well for me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

It won't be as good as if the crimping tool was used, but it can be done. I would use a bench vise personally.

---

Exactly what i did lol!:gj:

I squeezed as hard as i could with pliers but still wanted a better bite so i used a bench vise, which worked great.

NOTE: just make sure its lined up perfectly before squeezing them tightly together!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

Actually its just the opposite, a good solder joint will give a near zero resistance connection and does not fail under normal conditions. As for "interference".... what are you talking about? The clips are a pressure connection and reversible. There is more potential for a high resistance connection to form over time on something that heats and cools (expansion and contraction)

Assuming both are installed correctly, are both safe and work? yes, but to say whats better.... soldering is the easy answer.

---

I was talking about someone who doesn't know how to solder.. IE the soldered joints are bad. I agree that if done properly soldered joints will be better.

Context is important

Quote:

---

Unless you Know how to solder I wouldn't bother...

---

I used the clips until it was brought to my attention (on this forum) that you can get hot and cold strips from differences in resistance. Sure enough some of my strips were much cooler than others. I tore it all apart and soldered instead. Perfectly even temps now!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I was talking about someone who doesn't know how to solder.. IE the soldered joints are bad. I agree that if done properly soldered joints will be better.

Context is important

---

Quote:

---

Soldering makes it more likely to have uneven power flow, (especially if you don't know what you are doing) and can even pickup unwanted interference.

---

Your statement reads soldering is more likely to have uneven power flow, regardless of you knowing what your doing, since you said especially if you don't know what your doing. If it was already in context, you wouldn't of added it. :) context is important

also wondering what interference is since you mentioned it....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tfpets

I used the clips until it was brought to my attention (on this forum) that you can get hot and cold strips from differences in resistance. Sure enough some of my strips were much cooler than others. I tore it all apart and soldered instead. Perfectly even temps now!

---

Anyone else had this issue using the clips?
It makes sense. Soldering isn't that hard, right? I'm pretty sure I could figure it out. Its not rocket surgery. I just don't want to have wasted money on the clips. Dang. I think I'm leaning toward soldering.

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

Your statement reads soldering is more likely to have uneven power flow, regardless of you knowing what your doing, since you said especially if you don't know what your doing. If it was already in context, you wouldn't of added it. :) context is important

also wondering what interference is since you mentioned it....

---

Have you ever been a room with a PA system and a bad ground? The wiring will pickup all sorts of EM signals that are floating around. While this isn't going to be an issue for the flexwatt it could mess with a sensitive thermostat.

All I meant with "especially" is that it is more likely to happen if you don't know what you are doing. But it can happen to anyone. I've been through training and have certification to solder circuit board for military/medical use (class 3 boards) and solder sensitive components almost everyday at work... and even still from time to time I get a bad joint.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Have you ever been a room with a PA system and a bad ground? The wiring will pickup all sorts of EM signals that are floating around. While this isn't going to be an issue for the flexwatt it could mess with a sensitive thermostat.

All I meant with "especially" is that it is more likely to happen if you don't know what you are doing. But it can happen to anyone. I've been through training and have certification to solder circuit board for military/medical use (class 3 boards) and solder sensitive components almost everyday at work... and even still from time to time I get a bad joint.

---

That issue isn't caused by a loose connection on the hot or neutral though, it's entirely different situation. You can plug it your high resistant connection and the thermostat would be fine, just would get less heat down stream of the connection. It's not going to pick up anything because of it.

I'm not trying to be difficult, just your original post seemed very misinformational. I know that was not its intent, but it could easily be read that way.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

That issue isn't caused by a loose connection on the hot or neutral though, it's entirely different situation. You can plug it your high resistant connection and the thermostat would be fine, just would get less heat down stream of the connection. It's not going to pick up anything because of it.

I'm not trying to be difficult, just your original post seemed very misinformational. I know that was not its intent, but it could easily be read that way.

---

Look if you don't know how to solder and botch the joint you can:

Make the flexwatt run extremely inefficiently

Have connections come apart

damage the flexwatt/wires by overheating them

If the joint isn't insulated properly you can have interference issues (very unlikely but still possible)

Not to mention you can burn yourself pretty badly.

Overall if you don't have any clue how to solder it is much easier to just use the clips. I'm not going to argue this any further.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

and even still from time to time I get a bad joint.

---

Hate when that happens :rofl:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike41793

Hate when that happens :rofl:

---

Ha ha is funny cuz he no talking about wires.

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

If the joint isn't insulated properly you can have interference issues (very unlikely but still possible)

---

this is my problem, misinformation, no you cannot possibly have any "interference" issues, the pa system example is caused by current being induced and takes the path through the speaker. when the system is grounded, it just mostly goes through the ground. This has absolutely nothing to do with flexwatt or remotely have anything to do with connection on the live part of the circuit.... so stop saying it does.

Also the above goes for a bad connection with the clips, plus you can pinch your finger with the pliers :O

OP check out this thread http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ghlight=solder

and also heres a video with good information on solder, even if its geared more toward electronics, still gives you the theory behind soldering. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_NU2ruzyc4

then do what you feel your most comfortable with.