Flexwatt problem

I have a 2 foot piece of 11" flexwat tape that isn't working too well. It's getting warm but it won't get hot. I don't have one of those tools to crimp it properly, so I just used a plier but I did a pretty good job. Anyone have a solution for this?

Hi,

Do you have a soldering iron?


dr del

Well, I do but it's one of those crappy infomercial ones that cools off like instantly.

Hi,

Well I was just wondering if you would get a better connection by scraping off the plastic from the small section and soldering the wire on.

There should be some instructions on how rto do it on here somewhere or on reptile basics site.


dr del

where did you get your flexwatt? i had the same problem happen with a piece of mine a while back and i contacted the seller (reptile basics).. they checked it out and didnt know what was up so they let me exchange it for just mailing cost.

The only problem I have from soldering is that I have it on the inside of the cage because it's mad of wood. I got it from Beanfarm, but I don't think that's the problem. I have another piece from them that works just fine. And

Hi,

Admitedly I wouldn't try and solder it in place.

How are you waterproofing the flex if it is inside the enclosure?

under siliconed down lino?


dr del

I was going to use siliconed down plexi. I feel dumb for asking this, but what is lino?

er,

I can't spell the full name. :oops:

linoleum? plastic floor covering that you buy in rolls or tiles and cut to size?

No clue if it is called anything different over there sorry.


dr del

haha, you nailed the spelling, thanks. That's what it's called but I've just never seen that abbreviation before. I have those plastic clips that fit over the metal connectors and I'm going to put plexiglass over the rest of the tape.

Hi,

I'd ask for opinions on how waterproof those clips are - if they get full of P life could get unpleasant. :rolleyes:

If you could solder then the join could be made thin enough to just cover and seal around the whole matt.

Though how are you attatching the thermostat probe to make sure it stays effective?


dr del

soldering would be the best bet if you can do it. I have a strip with the clips on it too, from way back. It still works fine, just make sure its making good contact through the plastic coating on the tape.I use silicone caulk from a tube to water proof the connection.

I'm gonna put tape around the clips too just to be sure. I'm not using a thermostat, I have the heat tape wired directly into a rheostat. I have a thermometer with a probe and I'm gonna place it on the heat tape and adjust the electric flow accordingly. I don't want to solder the connections because I'm using it inside the cage and I have never soldered anything before. I'm worried that the snake will be able to work its way under and put enough pressure on the wires to detatch them because of a bad soldering job.

im tellin ya you might not be able to fix the problem. it could me a manufacturing prob like what happen to me. who did you buy it from.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by andwhy6

im tellin ya you might not be able to fix the problem. it could me a manufacturing prob like what happen to me. who did you buy it from.

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I got it from Beanfarm, and I'm starting to think you might be right. Really no other explanation except that the electricity in my house isn't working properly, and if that were the case I wouldn't be able to ask you guys for suggestions. I'm gonna contact em once I get a chance and see if theyll send another piece.