Flexwatt Question

I have a home made, three level, 28 qt rack made out of melamine. It's three tubs long. I just recently put in 6 inch flexwatt to replace my old 4 inch because every thing has grown and I planned on using the old 4 inch for a smaller rack. There is 13 feet of heat tape all together, and I have my probe taped to the heat tape on the middle shelf, as I did the last time. But I'm noticing I have to set my thermostat higher than I did with the 4 inch and the temperatures vary more from shelf to shelf. The middle tub in the center of the rack stays the hottest. I have my thermostat (VE-200) set to 95 and its giving me temperatures between 88-93 degrees depending on tub location as for the 4 inch kept me in between 89-91 with the thermostat set to 92. I use a space heater on a Ranco thermostat that keeps the room at 79-80 degrees all day. Anyone have any idea on how to get a more constant temp? Everything is doing great but its just frustrating me. I am also using paper towels for substrate.

Is the t-stat probe fully covered? Any pics of the rack would help as well.

Like fully covered with tape? It's not placed under the flexwatt. Just taped on top of it. I can take pics tomorrow.

You want the probe taped down securely but don't cover the entire probe with the tape, it will give you false readings. Depending on when you switched the tape I would also give everything a day or so to fully adjust. I'll try to help you more once I see a picture :)

I switched it like a week ago. I'll take a pic of how it is tomorrow when I get home. Working third shift tonight.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/09/qaredy8y.jpg
This is how it's taped. Middle shelf. I'm between too tubs.

Don't use foil tape on the probe it can have negative effects. (not account for the tape as much as the room) You might try a couple of things. First check all the flexwatt connections make sure they are all perfect. The second is to place a strip of foil tape down on the flexwatt where the probe will be. Then place the probe on top of it and use eletrical tape to secure it. This should help even the heat where the probe is rather than isolate it.

Why would I put the foil tape under the electrical tape? I don't really understand what you mean

As I mentioned before don't cover the probe completely with the tape, doing so will cause unstable temps in the tubs because the tape acts as a blanket. The temp inside the tape and probe is going to be hotter than the flexwatt that is exposed to the room.

All carbon heat elements have hot and cool spots. Aluminum will in a small area conduct heat to the probe and in a small space help to even out the flexwatt some.


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So... I really don't get how putting the aluminum tape under the probe would really be any different that putting it on top.

Where did this "false reading" thing come from? Has anyone done an experiment with using different kinds of tape? I've been using aluminum tape to secure probes for 5 years and everything is stable.

Aluminum doesn't absorb heat THAT well. not enough to change the temp by 4 or 5 degrees... And it is soooo thin, wouldn't it just absorb heat from the heating element rather than the air from the room?

Aluminum is one of the best conductors of heat, out there every thermal heat sync found in computers are aluminum and copper. Copper and aluminum are the most common and some of the best (gold is good too) where you got aluminum is an insulator is beyond me.

"Do not cover the probe tip with aluminum tape. This will cause false readings and poor regulation." spyder robotics manuals.

I use the good conducting of the aluminum tape to make sure I do not p[lace the probe tip on a hot or cool spot. The exact place the probe reads from varies and if it is placed on a blank you will get wacky readings. The tape helps eliminate this.

Yes different tapes have been tested, and yes, if you use aluminum tape it will be effected by variable room temps. Unless your room temps are stable then it is calculated into the differential.

I have had flexwatt vary 5 degrees in 4 inches so yes having a more even spot to place the probe can and does make a difference.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

Don't use foil tape on the probe it can have negative effects. (not account for the tape as much as the room) You might try a couple of things. First check all the flexwatt connections make sure they are all perfect. The second is to place a strip of foil tape down on the flexwatt where the probe will be. Then place the probe on top of it and use eletrical tape to secure it. This should help even the heat where the probe is rather than isolate it.

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Could I get a picture of how yours is taped?

Yes I just mocked it up. I completely cover the probe in electrical tape so you would see just tape. This is my method I was finding the probe would be set a lot hotter than needed before (98) now I use 92 degree set point and get 89-90 hot spots.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/10/esehyve5.jpg


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Awesome. Thank you very much. I'll try it and see how if it evens things out a bit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

Yes I just mocked it up. I completely cover the probe in electrical tape so you would see just tape. This is my method I was finding the probe would be set a lot hotter than needed before (98) now I use 92 degree set point and get 89-90 hot spots.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/10/esehyve5.jpg


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Learn something new everyday. Thank you.

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Incedently I also tape over the whole piece of aluminum tape with eletrical tape. I disenfect the rack every month and I have yet to figure out a way to do that with flexwat installed so I remove it monthy I am able to carefully check for wear and replace tape as needed. Racks are great space savers but the rest is a lot more work.

Ditch the flexwatt altogether and get the new THG heat tape. It is 10x better than flexwatt.

It runs hotter that is for sure i am not sure that is a good thing however. The little eyelet system is IMO sketchy I would use real rivets not Crafters eyelets. I don't believe I would say better just different. Personally I would rather buy in North America over Korea.


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I did what you showed me and temps now range from 89-91 with the thermostat set on 93. Thank you very much for the suggestion.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

Yes I just mocked it up. I completely cover the probe in electrical tape so you would see just tape. This is my method I was finding the probe would be set a lot hotter than needed before (98) now I use 92 degree set point and get 89-90 hot spots.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/10/esehyve5.jpg


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Wow awesome suggestion!

I had spiking temps in my Rack with Herpstat after moving to a cooler place. I also had my probe covered in aluminum tape like most people seem to do...

I did exactly what you suggested in the pic and now the Herpstat is stable with in 0.06 up and down to where I set it.

I would recommend making a new thread out of this pic/sugestion and making a sticky under Husbandry as it seems to help new and old keepers alike! :banana:

Thanks again! and yes definitely learn something new everyday! :D

For years I have had the foil tape cover up the probe in my rack. Granted, I don't have temp challenges, but I want to test this out. There is more than one way to skin a cat. :gj:

Where did you find 6" flexwatt?

Reptile basics