Heat mat help

The more wattage a heat has the bigger it is?

Currently i have a RUB set up with a i think a heat mat of 7w and a distance of more or less 3 cm between the mat and the bottom of the RUB.

The mat is not giving off much heat, not enought to pass trough the bedding (2cm deep aspen).

Ideas:

Thin the bedding depth in the hot spot?
Get a bigger (more wattage) mat?
...

Thanks

The heat mat should be taped to the underside of the tub with direct contact. Heat mats are not very good at spreading heat and are usually only used for a heat spot regulated by a thermostat. The heat most likely wont make it past 3 cm of straight air.

Ummm, im just scared the plastic will melt but the rub is made os polystyrene so you think it will be alright?

Her hot spot temp is 88F.

How can i tape it, is there especial tape or normal tape works?

Also, how do people do with racks? Some i see have a distance between the rub and the mat so how does that work? Or its not a heat mat but something different?

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Originally Posted by BCS

The heat mat should be taped to the underside of the tub with direct contact. Heat mats are not very good at spreading heat and are usually only used for a heat spot regulated by a thermostat. The heat most likely wont make it past 3 cm of straight air.

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For emphasis. ;)

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Originally Posted by Eric Alan

For emphasis. ;)

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Yes. I have a diming thermostate already connected to it 😀

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Originally Posted by Kikary

Yes. I have a diming thermostate already connected to it 😀

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As long as it's working properly, there's no reason to worry about it damaging the under side of your tub/rub. For perspective, 88°F (31°C) is a warm summer day. Would you be worried about it melting sitting outside on a day like that?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kikary

Also, how do people do with racks? Some i see have a distance between the rub and the mat so how does that work? Or its not a heat mat but something different?

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It's heat tape not a mat, but it works the same way. Usually there's a shallow groove that has been machined into the shelf, maybe 1/8 inch (2-3 mm) deep so the tub doesn't rub on it when it's slid in and out of the rack.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eric Alan

As long as it's working properly, there's no reason to worry about it damaging the under side of your tub/rub. For perspective, 88°F (31°C) is a warm summer day. Would you be worried about it melting sitting outside on a day like that?

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Ahahsh so true XD

So how do i tape it? normal tape or must be some special one?


Or i can raise it up till is snug with the Rub?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kikary

So how do i tape it? normal tape or must be some special one?


Or i can raise it up till is snug with the Rub?

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Foil tape (for HVAC most commonly) is a good option. You can find it at a local hardware store. You could snug it with the rub, but I'd be worried about it and/or your thermostat probe moving if it weren't more secure than that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eric Alan

Foil tape (for HVAC most commonly) is a good option. You can find it at a local hardware store. You could snug it with the rub, but I'd be worried about it and/or your thermostat probe moving if it weren't more secure than that.

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My probe is right on top of the mat and underneath the bedding inside the rub, is that alright?

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Originally Posted by Kikary

My probe is right on top of the mat and underneath the bedding inside the rub, is that alright?

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The probe should be sandwiched between the heat mat and the under side of the rub. That way the snake/water/etc can't get to it and have an impact on your mat's temperature.

It's been awhile since I've used this masterpiece, but here's a good visual for ya!
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...psp2koldrd.jpg

Since the probe has to be sandwiched, do i need to put the temp setting of the thermostat higher since the heat is going to cool down a bit going through the plastic?

Or its the other way around? XD physics ho i hate them

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kikary

Since the probe has to be sandwiched, do i need to put the temp setting of the thermostat higher since the heat is going to cool down a bit going through the plastic?

Or its the other way around? XD physics ho i hate them

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Usually a little bit higher, but the only way to know for sure is by measuring the temperature on the inside floor of the enclosure with a separate thermometer and adjusting up or down based on that temperature.

Also,the mat has been on for at least 4 hours and its not that hot.

Do i wait a few more hours and it will go up or i need a bigger one (higher wattage equals bigger mat?)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kikary

Also,the mat has been on for at least 4 hours and its not that hot.

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Based on what? Your hand? A thermometer? Skin temp is roughly in the same range as hot spot range, so your hands aren't going to be good indicators of the set point temperature. A probed/infrared thermometer is your best bet.

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Originally Posted by Eric Alan

It's been awhile since I've used this masterpiece

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It can be used as much as you want, my new employment doesn't allow me as much time as I would like to be here. :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eric Alan

Based on what? Your hand? A thermometer? Skin temp is roughly in the same range as hot spot range, so your hands aren't going to be good indicators of the set point temperature. A probed/infrared thermometer is your best bet.

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This X2. What are you using to check the temperature?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eric Alan

Based on what? Your hand? A thermometer? Skin temp is roughly in the same range as hot spot range, so your hands aren't going to be good indicators of the set point temperature. A probed/infrared thermometer is your best bet.

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My hand but im waiting for the thermoneter to arrive so will wait to have a reading and see what to do.

In case its still not 88F after getting the thermometer reading. What could i do?
Bigger mat?

Im forgetting that our body temp is more or less 26-27 degrees XD if im feeling hot on my hand then it hotter than that so probably around 30 degrees aka 88F ight? XD

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kikary

My hand but im waiting for the thermoneter to arrive so will wait to have a reading and see what to do.

In case its still not 88F after getting the thermometer reading. What could i do?
Bigger mat?

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115 degrees does not feel warm to most people either but people also forget we are WARM blooded.
Your snake is cold blooded and what feels warm to you might feel like walking barefooted on blacktop on an August Texas afternoon.....

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

115 degrees does not feel warm to most people either but people also forget we are WARM blooded.
Your snake is cold blooded and what feels warm to you might feel like walking barefooted on blacktop on an August Texas afternoon.....

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Yup, i was forgetting that body temp is 26-27 degees abd if im feeling heat on my hand then it higher than that XD