Flexwatt- low temps

I just set up my 11 shelf 28 quart rack. I used 6 foot of 17in flexwatt and installed in today. I'm using an Alife 1000 watt thermostat. The temp on the hot side is staying around 80 and the ambient temp is around 76. I was wondering if it just needs a few days to achieve the proper temps or if maybe there was some ideas of what i may have done wrong.

how are you measuring the temps? what type of thermometer and where is its placement. what is the ambient room temp ?

Im using an accurite, right now I have the probe at the back of the middle shelf behind the tub(since there are no snakes in the tubs, just seeing what the temp right beside the tape is) The ambient temp is 76.

where is the probe for the thermostat and what temp is the stat set at ?

the room temp is 76 ?

The probe for the thermostat is right beside the probe for the accurite(middle shelf) The thermostat is set for 94. Yes the room temp is 76, lower than normal because Ive had the door open working on this rack.

Not familiar with that type of thermostat??? it should heat up until the probe detects 94 degrees...shouldnt take that long since the room is 76 ???? maybe the stat is bad.....

Yeah I was thinking that. I was hoping it wasn't haha, but that's what I'm leaning towards. Shouldve bought the Helix! Thanks

if you dont have any snakes in the tubs run the flexwatt right to an outlet... see what the temps get up too, that way youll be able to tell where the problem is...

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Originally Posted by Jeff Krupa

if you dont have any snakes in the tubs run the flexwatt right to an outlet... see what the temps get up too, that way youll be able to tell where the problem is...

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Ok, I'll give that a try...

Well I tried it. The flexwatt plugged straight to the outlet and still the temp doesnt go above 80. So I'm guessing I messed up the wiring somehow.

Is it on a dimmer? Could be a problem with the dimmer. Wirign can cause an issue if it's not the right kind of solder (if you soldered). I used plublind solder with lead and silver in it. Messy, but i tape over than anyway... I have never used clips.

It appears you found your problem... now wire that flexwatt up correctly and you should be all set....

So I rewired this thing, used a different extention cord and still the temps wont go above 80 plugged straight in to the outlet. Anyone have any idea what i should do now or what Im doing wrong?

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Originally Posted by Dragnbaron

Is it on a dimmer? Could be a problem with the dimmer. Wirign can cause an issue if it's not the right kind of solder (if you soldered). I used plublind solder with lead and silver in it. Messy, but i tape over than anyway... I have never used clips.

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No I'm using an Alife 1000watt thermostat. Probably shouldve sprung for the helix. Anyways I dont think its the thermostat thats the problem because even when I plug the heat tape straight into the outlet it isnt going above 80 and I used the connectors I didnt solder

Maybe the connectors aren't pressed down hard enough. If you ever order more flex I suggest ordering from RBI, and request that they clamp on the connectors for you. They have a special crimping tool I believe.