Need help with FLEXWATT! please!

[RichsBallPythons]

Okay, I just re-crimped the clamps.

And yes, it's plugged directly into the t-stat

Plug it directly into the wall. and it should only take 30 seconds for it ot reach over 90F.

When I solder, they reach 115F in under 1 min.

[mr.spooky]

Plug it directly into the wall. and it should only take 30 seconds for it ot reach over 90F.

When I solder, they reach 115F in under 1 min.

you beat me to it

[h00blah]

Clips suck, and if not done right wont heat up.

Flexwatt is best soldered, lasts longer, heats faster more even heating as well.

I actually have a soldering kit, and I have ~6 extra feet of flexwatt in case i run into this

a buddy of mine is over right now, and he's pretty good about that stuff, so he'll help solder a different shelf

[h00blah]

lol 2 minutes later, and i'm still waiting for it to heat up. This is the 'directly plugged into t-stat' attempt, with re-crimped clips.

I'll try the 'into the wall' suggestion in another 2-3 minutes to see if anything happens

EDIT: and if that doesn't work, i'll try soldering

[h00blah]

okay i plugged it directly into the wall, and it's not ~90.... and more than 30 seconds has past by lol. idk if you were exaggerating, but yeah... at least i know its getting warmer! i'm going to wire the 2nd shelf via solder.... is that safe?

also: it doesn't feel anywhere near 90... i'll check it in like 10 minutes... check back at 8 please =]

[h00blah]

just thought i'd post the results of our tests, as our buzzed soldering turned into quite a fun science experiment haha

basically.. i daisy chained 2 shelves - 1 shelf was wired using the clamps, and it took about 15 minutes to get kindof warm.....

the 2nd shelf had the wires soldered on, and that heated up in a matter of seconds....

one last Q.. i bought the 3 inch heat tape.. how hot does that get? it doesn't feel as warm as the heat tape in my 28 qt juvenile rack that i've been using for a year now with no problems.. the t-stat is set to 100, and the heat tape gets to ~92

[RichsBallPythons]

3" 6watt and 10 watt both can exceed 140F depending on room temp.

I would redo all your connections as solder. Clips just plain out suck for flexwatt.

[h00blah]

3" 6watt and 10 watt both can exceed 140F depending on room temp.

I would redo all your connections as solder. Clips just plain out suck for flexwatt.

haha while i came here to post the results, they soldered the previous connections

now both shelves heat up SUPER fast

thanks so much guys!!! my rack is SLOWLY but surely coming together ^_^

i'm putting some time into it after work, then gotta get my game on, then sleep and work ^_^. i have all next week off though haha so sweetness!!!