Heat AP cages

[Python-77]

Ok so I am going to be getting 4 maybe 5 ap cages at the end of the month they offer belly heat for 45$ is a routered in heating cable. What I want to know is can I use flexwatt to heat ap cages from the outside effectively ? AP cages are 1/2" think. If so I am going thru matt since I could probley heat all the cages for waht they want for 2. Just need some tips from people who heat plastic enclosures.

[Adam_Wysocki]

Ok so I am going to be getting 4 maybe 5 ap cages at the end of the month they offer belly heat for 45$ is a routered in heating cable. What I want to know is can I use flexwatt to heat ap cages from the outside effectively ? AP cages are 1/2" think. If so I am going thru matt since I could probley heat all the cages for waht they want for 2. Just need some tips from people who heat plastic enclosures.

Many moons ago, I used to heat Neodeshas with flexwatt on the outside (which can be a pretty major fire hazard if done incorrectly) .... then I discovered radiant heat panels!!! You might want to check them out!

-adam

[Python-77]

I may need to look into those also, I only need to heat 1 maybe 2 of the cages when I get them the others are being bought now to save me on shipping later down the road. Whats the major fire hazard with flexwatt on the plastic cages? Heat build up when stacked? if so I was going to use those little rubber pads and give each cage a 1/4" gap.

[Adam_Wysocki]

Yeah, flexwatt can't be compressed, and you have to be careful if you ever move the cages because bending and creasing it can cause it to burn up.

Also, the potential temps that the flexwatt needs to run at to radiate a hot spot through the plastic floor of the cage makes me nervous .... I've seen it warp plastic cages in the past.

Quality radiant heat panels work very differently. They heat the objects in the cage to the temps you need but are safe to the touch.

For racks I LOVE flexwatt because it's usually mounted in a recessed groove and stays there forever ... but for cages IMO, heat panels are the way to go.

I've only ever used the Pro Heat panels from Pro-Products, and they rock! ... be careful of some of the other brands out there ... a couple of them are nothing more than a piece of flexwatt inside a plastic panel.

-adam

[bg1906]

Hey Adam,


Just to follow up with you, you do recommend both the Heat Panels and Belly Heat right? Or should you have 1 or the other?

Thanks.

Bryce