rbi rack question Please help

I have 2 CB70 4 tub RBI racks. I have a Helix thermostat.

I have the thermostat probe taped directly to the flexwat like I am supposed to.

Problem is that I have used both electrical tape AND foil tape... and both after a day or two keep coming untaped. This last attempt (the third attempt) i taped 4 different pieces of foil to hold it down. all very neatly taped.... today when I get home the rack is at 102 degrees because the dam thing came untaped again causing the probe to not be in direct contact with the flexwatt.

Getting frustrated. What am I supposed to tape the probe down with? what am i doing wrong???

I use foil tape, only had a problem once. I just put 2 pieces wide over the probe and 2 piece long over that creating an approx 4"x4" square covering the probe.

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Originally Posted by mcavana

I have 2 CB70 4 tub RBI racks. I have a Helix thermostat.

I have the thermostat probe taped directly to the flexwat like I am supposed to.

Problem is that I have used both electrical tape AND foil tape... and both after a day or two keep coming untaped. This last attempt (the third attempt) i taped 4 different pieces of foil to hold it down. all very neatly taped.... today when I get home the rack is at 102 degrees because the dam thing came untaped again causing the probe to not be in direct contact with the flexwatt.

Getting frustrated. What am I supposed to tape the probe down with? what am i doing wrong???

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Electrical tape won't work for you. I have always used foil tape and have never had it come untaped. Is it coming untaped because the tub is hitting it when you slide it in/out? Foil tape is about as sticky as it gets. You could try duct tape but it's no better than foil tape. I put 1 piece across the probe, making sure that the tape is only making contact with the flexwatt. Then I put a piece longways to cover the probe completely. Then I foil tape the probe wire to the shelf so it doesn't get caught up in the tub. Hope this makes sense and helps!

try moving the probe to one side of the tub and adjust temps from there if the tubs are hitting it. i had that problem with a few of mine

Have you tried asking Rich what he would recommend? He always seems very willing to help with his products when needed. I have a couple of his racks coming in next week, hopefully I won't run into this issue.

like the others have said use the foil tape and one across the probem and then tape the probe lengthwise. Whats happening is that your tubs are hitting the probe and pulling it loose. You will soon get it figured out and everything will be fine. Its all trial and error.

If foil tape is coming loose, the first thing I'd do is check the surface of the flexwatt. Could be some sort of oil or residue that isn't letting the glue adhere properly. If you wipe it down with acetone it should clean off anything that might be on there.

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Originally Posted by m00kfu

If foil tape is coming loose, the first thing I'd do is check the surface of the flexwatt. Could be some sort of oil or residue that isn't letting the glue adhere properly. If you wipe it down with acetone it should clean off anything that might be on there.

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I was thinking that. a lil acetone on a rag won't mess up the tape?

Lets just make sure My foil tape is the same as your foil tape... My foil tape I got from home depot in the air conditioning / duct section. here it is:

http://www.findtape.com/product414/N...x?cid=12&idx=7

dam! just realized it says "cold weather" on it... specially formulated for colder temperatures... Is this the wrong tape for hot flex watt????

That should be fine. Good for hot or cold temps.

Foil tape sticks very well to itself, try laying tape flat on the flexwatt surface then tape the probe to the flat taped area...

My flexwatt on my rack is fully covered in foil tape, this helps the flex watt from wearing out from sliding tubs in and out...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FIREball

I use foil tape, only had a problem once. I just put 2 pieces wide over the probe and 2 piece long over that creating an approx 4"x4" square covering the probe.

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Same here. I only had this problem once. I moved the probe, and it is all good now. I also use foil tape.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mochelem

Foil tape sticks very well to itself, try laying tape flat on the flexwatt surface then tape the probe to the flat taped area...

My flexwatt on my rack is fully covered in foil tape, this helps the flex watt from wearing out from sliding tubs in and out...

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Great idea! My flexwatt seems to be warmer in certain spots along the tape. Foil tape should conduct the heat from a wider area giving you a temp "average" to tape the probe to. I'm gonna give this a try.

About the probe placement, I dont know how the your heat tape is set up, but mine is belly heat. One strip goes down the wall onto the next level going through all levels this way. My probe is taped to the corner where the wall and bottom meet. No chance of the tub hitting it.

Thanks for all your help everyone. I got it taped up good now. I wasn't taping it in the right spot.... and I wasn't using nearly enough tape.

Thanks again!!