Improved my Flexwatt!

I went out and made myself a snake rack with the melamine. I first used the metal clips, the plastic insulators, I put the flexwatt running on the backing of my rack, and a dimmer. My temps didn't go over 75 degrees. I was so upset.

Using the magical search tool on this site I learned I should ditch the clips and solder the wire directly to the flexwatt, electrical tape the soldering, and I should move the tape to go under the tubs. BAM! Now I can control temps up to 100 degrees!

The tape is now on the bottom back part of the racks, I keep a couple gauges IN the back of the tubs. During the day I have them at 90 and at night I have them at 80. I also have gauges reading temps in the other tubs up at the front. They read 80 during the day and 75 at night.

Is this good? Corrections would be very appreciated.

Thanks,
Los

hrm. ive never ever heard of issues with flexwatt before with the metal clips/insulators!

Glad you got things working properly again. im going to go on a search for this issue now.....

more resistance in a bad connection = less power reaching the flexwat's elements. :) makes perfect sense from a technical stand point. this is why i never use crimp connections i always solder :P

I just used the crimp method and my flexwatt will get well over 100 F if I let it. You just have to be sure to really cramp those buggers down tight. There's nothing wrong with soldering though.

v

Were you measuring the temps with the gagues? That might be why they read so low..

I also add a little space so I can put Reflexix under the flex watt.

I think your issue with keeping temps up probably had nothing to do with clips on the flexwatt. It probably had to do with using it as back heat vs belly heat. I use clips and have no issues keeping my temps up.

Don't forget a backup thermostat too, in case your primary fails. That 3" 10 watt flexwatt can get HOT!

JonV

I dont understand what everybody's issue is with back heat...? I mean my rack uses only back heat and my temps will go up to and over 100 degrees if i set it that way!! IMO, back heat is the only way to go, its easier to install, less dangerous to the snakes, and if the tub's hot end gets 92 degrees, what matters if its by back heat or belly heat...92 is 92 no matter what direction it comes from...!!!!

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Originally Posted by Shadera

I think your issue with keeping temps up probably had nothing to do with clips on the flexwatt. It probably had to do with using it as back heat vs belly heat. I use clips and have no issues keeping my temps up.

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i highly doubt that is the problem!

if the clips are not making a good contact it will not heat up properly

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Originally Posted by Goodwin

I dont understand what everybody's issue is with back heat...? I mean my rack uses only back heat and my temps will go up to and over 100 degrees if i set it that way!! IMO, back heat is the only way to go, its easier to install, less dangerous to the snakes, and if the tub's hot end gets 92 degrees, what matters if its by back heat or belly heat...92 is 92 no matter what direction it comes from...!!!!

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you are misinformed, belly heat is always better then back heat for the snakes digestion. that's why belly heat is recommended and preferred.

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Originally Posted by JeffJ

you are misinformed, belly heat is always better then back heat for the snakes digestion. that's why belly heat is recommended and preferred.

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according to whom? i hope you have some scientic study on digestion

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Originally Posted by nixer

i highly doubt that is the problem!

if the clips are not making a good contact it will not heat up properly

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id have to agree i deal with electircal wiring and repair 6 days a week 9-5 and a bad connection will and can cause symptoms like this in a flex way.

Bad connection = more circuit resistance which in turn = less current making it to the Flexwatt element which finally = less heat generated. if current drops, so will the thermal output of the flexwatt, in fact that's what dimmers do they do not limit voltage, only current (amperage)

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Originally Posted by nixer

according to whom? i hope you have some scientic study on digestion

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according to some of the respected moderators here.

im sure if i looked i could find something that would appease your skepticism but i don't have the time for that today. dont make me look through a biologists papers again :P

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Originally Posted by JeffJ

according to some of the respected moderators here.

im sure if i looked i could find something that would appease your skepticism but i don't have the time for that today. dont make me look through a biologists papers again :P

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thats their personal preference if you want to dispute belly vs back heat take it to that thread which one is currently active or create your own.

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Originally Posted by Shadera

I think your issue with keeping temps up probably had nothing to do with clips on the flexwatt. It probably had to do with using it as back heat vs belly heat. I use clips and have no issues keeping my temps up.

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The temperatures of my flexwatt ( ALL of my racks) Get quite hot!

Ambient temperatures maybe... Floor temperatures, sure, But actually heat tape temps? not really. All heat tape CAN vary though. But the temperatures the tape gets depending upon how its used? I do not think so at all.

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Originally Posted by nixer

thats their personal preference if you want to dispute belly vs back heat take it to that thread which one is currently active or create your own.

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well considering snake digestion is a race against time from the animal actually rotting in there belly and causing botulism. belly heat is a great aid in digestion to help the snake digest before the pray it begins to decompose. This is why i know my python hides in his warm hide after eating and does not leave for at least 24H, this is why belly heat is recommended. although both back or belly heat will work. I would think belly heat would be easier to keep the heat held in the enclosure since heat rises its staring at the bottom. where back heat is already starting higher up and can rise away faster.

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Originally Posted by JeffJ

well considering snake digestion is a race against time from the animal actually rotting in there belly and causing botulism. belly heat is a great aid in digestion to help the snake digest before the pray it begins to decompose. This is why i know my python hides in his warm hide after eating and does not leave for at least 24H, this is why belly heat is recommended. although both back or belly heat will work. I would think belly heat would be easier to keep the heat held in the enclosure since heat rises its staring at the bottom. where back heat is already starting higher up and can rise away faster.

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heres the link incase you couldnt find it http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=81701

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

Were you measuring the temps with the gagues? That might be why they read so low..

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I use digital thermometer hydrometer reader. I have three and I have tested them for wrong readings. Two of them read real close to each other. I used those for the readings in the back of the tubs. Should I be using something different?

OP, did you have the back of the rack enclosed or not?

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Originally Posted by losism

I use digital thermometer hydrometer reader. I have three and I have tested them for wrong readings. Two of them read real close to each other. I used those for the readings in the back of the tubs. Should I be using something different?

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if it has a probe then it's fine.

Remember though when you are discussing back vs belly heating choices for your racks that the size of the tubs does come into play. For something like my 15 qt tub rack, back heat works just perfect. It was built by Rich at Reptile Basics and let's be honest, the man knows his stuff about heating snakes. :) Now that same arrangement might not work on a huge tub set up as efficiently. Also you need to take into consideration things like with belly heat you should not have heat on more than 1/3 of the tub or it can be counterproductive for your snake.

It's not just about back vs belly heating. To my mind it's more about knowing your setup, the room your enclosures are in, size of tubs, type of rack, etc. Personally when Mike and I built our racks, when we had any question about heating I phoned RBI and spoke with Rich. When in doubt talk to an expert in the field. :)

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Originally Posted by Goodwin

I dont understand what everybody's issue is with back heat...? I mean my rack uses only back heat and my temps will go up to and over 100 degrees if i set it that way!! IMO, back heat is the only way to go, its easier to install, less dangerous to the snakes, and if the tub's hot end gets 92 degrees, what matters if its by back heat or belly heat...92 is 92 no matter what direction it comes from...!!!!

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I have no issue with back heat. In fact I'd rather have back heat but in my situation it just wont work as I would like it too. My house gets cold at night, this happens when I shut off my heat at night. With back heat the tape doesn't come in contact with the tub. When your room temps are in the 60's the heat tape has to heat up the ambient air in between the tub and tape just to heat the tub and the snake. With belly heat the tape is in direct contact with the tub(or close). The heat does what it does naturally it rises right into the tub. This makes it much easier to maintain proper temps when the ambient air temp around the room is the 60's. So for me it's more practical to use belly heat. It just depends on the situation of the user.

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Originally Posted by Shadera

OP, did you have the back of the rack enclosed or not?

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Yes the rack has a backing to it.


Thanks for all the info guys. :gj:

IMO you people are arguing over nothing!!!...LOL....think about what you are saying!! If your snake is in your tub, and you shoot a tempgun at your snakes stomach....temp reads, lets say, hmmm 91 degrees....what matters if it was heated to 91 degrees by belly heat or by back heat? THE TEMP IS STILL 91 DEGREES!! What I am getting at is that according to the setup you have, back heat is just as effective, just as efficient, as belly heat. I dont think belly heat helps with digestion (IMO) any differently that back heat helps with digestion. 91 degrees is 91 degrees NO MATTER what direction it comes from!! Its like this...which is heavier a ton of feathers or a ton of bricks?? NEITHER...its still a ton!!

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Originally Posted by Goodwin

IMO you people are arguing over nothing!!!...LOL....think about what you are saying!! If your snake is in your tub, and you shoot a tempgun at your snakes stomach....temp reads, lets say, hmmm 91 degrees....what matters if it was heated to 91 degrees by belly heat or by back heat? THE TEMP IS STILL 91 DEGREES!! What I am getting at is that according to the setup you have, back heat is just as effective, just as efficient, as belly heat. I dont think belly heat helps with digestion (IMO) any differently that back heat helps with digestion. 91 degrees is 91 degrees NO MATTER what direction it comes from!! Its like this...which is heavier a ton of feathers or a ton of bricks?? NEITHER...its still a ton!!

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LOL now that... is an Excellent post.

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Originally Posted by Goodwin

IMO you people are arguing over nothing!!!...LOL....think about what you are saying!! If your snake is in your tub, and you shoot a tempgun at your snakes stomach....temp reads, lets say, hmmm 91 degrees....what matters if it was heated to 91 degrees by belly heat or by back heat? THE TEMP IS STILL 91 DEGREES!! What I am getting at is that according to the setup you have, back heat is just as effective, just as efficient, as belly heat. I dont think belly heat helps with digestion (IMO) any differently that back heat helps with digestion. 91 degrees is 91 degrees NO MATTER what direction it comes from!! Its like this...which is heavier a ton of feathers or a ton of bricks?? NEITHER...its still a ton!!

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belly heat 100% helps with snake digestion do some research on there digestive system :) this is the whole reason why snakes will seek a heat source after eating. or if you have ever seen a local reptile laying on a stone after night fall. they are taking advantage of the belly heat the stone is retaining. thats why UTH and flexwatt are so widely used under the enclosure :) because back heat is MUCH easier to keep ambient temps up. Some will use both as well.

as for belly temps from back heat. you could be 100% correct they could achieve desired temperature from it and they usually do. but there is also the possibility of a bad setup where the bottom of the tub becomes a source of heat loss in which case belly temp wouldn't be the same as the ambient or back temp. there are allot of dynamics to take into factor, it can sway either way.

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Originally Posted by JeffJ

belly heat 100% helps with snake digestion do some research on there digestive system :) this is the whole reason why snakes will seek a heat source after eating. or if you have ever seen a local reptile laying on a stone after night fall. they are taking advantage of the belly heat the stone is retaining.

as for belly temps from back heat. you could be 100% correct they could achieve desired temperature from it and they usually do. but there is also the possibility of a bad setup where the bottom of the tub becomes a source of heat loss in which case belly temp wouldn't be the same as the ambient or back temp. there are allot of dynamics to take into factor, it can sway either way.

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If you are so unconvinced, then don't use back heat. No one is forcing you to. Your opinion has been made very clear. Just because it doesn't match others opinions does not mean it is automatically bad.

ONE MORE TIME FOR THOSE WHO DONT UNDERSTAND.....Belly heat does NOT help with digestion....HEAT in general helps with digestion....I cant believe you people dont get this!!! LOL...If you have a room that the temp is 90 degrees, what matters if you heated it with electric heat, wood furnace heat, radiant heat etc, etc, etc,....the temp is 90 what matters how it got there?? Im not saying BACK HEAT is better!!! I am simply implying that it is as everybit as good as you people who swear by belly heat!! Below is a pic of the new rack I built a few days ago....heated with a single 4' strip of 11" flexwatt. Heats very well, and can make my temps go past 100 degrees no prob. This is my last post, tired of arguing with people who dont understand...lol...j/k....hope you like my rack!!:D

http://s1.webstarts.com/goodwinrepti...og_003_JPG.jpg

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

If you are so unconvinced, then don't use back heat. No one is forcing you to. Your opinion has been made very clear. Just because it doesn't match others opinions does not mean it is automatically bad.

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I never said i was unconvinced back heat didnt work. i said belly heat was beneficial to digestion. ;) notice how i said it is effective and usable but on the other side of the fence i can be ineffective as other methods depending on the setup. things like the deference between surface temperature and ambient can have a great effect on things, hell even the way the breez blows through that room can. I never said any one elses opinion was "bad" either. i just said if in his opinion belly heat does not help digestion, that he should look it up, because his opinion might differ from many others and he might like to see the arguments on the pro's and con's.

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Originally Posted by JeffJ

I never said i was unconvinced back heat didnt work. i said belly heat was beneficial to digestion. ;) notice how i said it is effective and usable but on the other side of the fence i can be ineffective as other methods depending on the setup. things like the deference between surface temperature and ambient can have a great effect on things, hell even the way the breez blows through that room can. I never said any one elses opinion was "bad" either. i just said if in his opinion belly heat does not help digestion, that he should look it up, because his opinion might differ from many others and he might like to see the arguments on the pro's and con's.

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which is why i directed you to that thread and not to sit here and post in a thread that has nothing at all to do with any type of heat, but a simple bad connection!