Heat tape wattage / extension cords, need clarification

[euphuistical]

Ok, a few questions:

1) Can I set up say 3 separate lines 3 feet long of 4in heat tape and a section of 11in heat tape in parallel so I only have one outlet?

2) Can I plug multiple strips of heat tape into an extension cord then plug the extension cord into a thermostat or rheostat (assuming I don't go over its wattage).

3) Assuming I want at least some of my heat tape strips to run parallel how much extra cord do I need if my shelves are around 7in apart? I will be getting it done through reptile basics, if that sheds any light.


And most importantly: assuming my shelves are designed to hold a 41qt tub without much extra room on any side, will my ball be able to properly thermoregulate if there is say a strip of 4in heat tape running along the entire back of the shelf? I could maybe see problems with this, since the gradient would be longways instead of the more typical heat tape going under only the right side with the left side being unheated. If it went all across the back the snake would only really be able to move forward to get cooler, which is a much shorter distance (only about 17in) than moving from left to right (which is around 35in). The reason I would like to have the tape going all along the back is because it would allow the same shelf to house one 41qt or a 15qt+32qt or multiple smaller tubs.


I guess I can state my goals for my rack while I am here. I am looking to make rack with eight shelves, each around 6.5-7in apart (all the tubs I will be using are around 6in in height, there may be some variance but nothing greater than an inch). I would like to have as much flexibility in cage placement as possible. I will probably devote the bottom 3 to 41qt tubs. The others will be filled with 32/15/6qt as needed.


Thanks for your help.

[Mitch21]

1) You cannot parallel wire a 4in with an 11in. I'm no electrician, but you won't be able to parallel a strip of 4in with an 11in. They draw different wattage and your temps would most likely not be as accurate as you'd want. (Not to mention, you could be creating a fire hazard).

2) Assuming you don't go over wattage, you can most definitely use extension cords the way you described. There is no hazard here. I'm running extensions the same way right now.

3) If your shelves are about 7in apart, I'd tell Reptile Basics to parallel with about 9in. (7in for the shelf; 1in for each side of the shelf plus the turn into the next heat tape).

4) If you're using 41qt tubs, you really want to establish a good heat gradient. Using a 4in strip along the back would not do a good job. Like you said, your snake would have to thermo-regulate the short ways instead of a long way heat gradient. For bigger tubs, you should probably use belly heat. I would definitely recommend an 11in for your 41in tubs.

Either way, Reptile Basics are pretty good about helping out. Just describe exactly what your final rack plans are and they'll help ya out!

Hope this helps though!

Mitch

[euphuistical]

Thanks for the info. Just to make sure I am getting all this, it would still be ok for me to say plug in some 4in heat tape and 11in heat tape in to the same rheostat as long as I don't go above the stated wattage?

I am stuck with a crappy repti-temp rheostat, but I did talk to the guy at Basic Reptiles and he said it would suffice. I plan to replace it in a few months when I'll have to invest in a good thermostat for incubation.

Also, what size cages should I have? Do I need 15/32qt tubs or can I just make do with 6qt for babies and then move them right to 41qt? Or will I really only need maybe 2 or 3 41qt at most? I am just starting out, only have 4 balls at the moment. Heaviest one is only 1300g, so for the moment should I just focus on 32qt and worry about a set up for 41qt when the time comes that I have a female out grow a 32qt?

I am quite confused on this, and my reptiles are not in an ideal heating position now (they aren't in any danger, still eating fine, but I'd like to get them in a proper enclosure), would really like to get an answer by tomorrow so I can order the heat tape and start buying supplies for the rack.

Thanks

[frankykeno]

My understanding of flexwatt is that you cannot mix different ones (3", 4" or 11") on one controlling device (i.e. tstat, rheostat). As well you cannot of course exceed the recommended wattage for your device. In other words if you have different flexwatts, each needs their own tstat or rheostat. That is my understanding of it.

I would really recommend you speak with Rich at Reptile Basics though. He is the expert on flexwatt that I trust. He does also have a very informative FAQ about flexwatt on his site. www.reptilebasics.com

[Mitch21]

My understanding of flexwatt is that you cannot mix different ones (3", 4" or 11") on one controlling device (i.e. tstat, rheostat). As well you cannot of course exceed the recommended wattage for your device. In other words if you have different flexwatts, each needs their own tstat or rheostat. That is my understanding of it.

I would really recommend you speak with Rich at Reptile Basics though. He is the expert on flexwatt that I trust. He does also have a very informative FAQ about flexwatt on his site. www.reptilebasics.com

+1 NO mixing of flewatts for one T-Stat. Like I said, they draw different wattage and one will most definitely get hotter than the other. You could just buy a second rheostat from Home Depot or something which will cost you like $12.

If you built a rack that was 4ft wide and 2feet deep (and however feet high depending on how many shelves you needed), you could put three 32qt tub per shelf and use a strip of 4in running belly heat and then you could also just put a single 41qt tub using an 11in belly heat. Just parallel wire the 4in flexwatts together and parallel the 11in flexwatts together and you'd be running like two separate groupings on the same rack. If you buy a second $12 rheostat from HD, this would allow for adequate growth with tubs, proper heat gradients, and you'd be using the flexwatt properly.

[nicktreb]

Does anyone ever make their shelves short in the back, so there is room for wiring plus heat circulation?? I was just wondering if anyone has tried that or if works good. I'm also making a rack just the same with 41qt tubs.

[Ricky]

1) You cannot parallel wire a 4in with an 11in. I'm no electrician, but you won't be able to parallel a strip of 4in with an 11in. They draw different wattage and your temps would most likely not be as accurate as you'd want. (Not to mention, you could be creating a fire hazard).

2) Assuming you don't go over wattage, you can most definitely use extension cords the way you described. There is no hazard here. I'm running extensions the same way right now.

Maybe I'm not interpreting this right, but electrically speaking, there is nothing wrong with running 4in and 11in tape in parallel. The total load seen by the outlet (or thermostat) will be the sum of the heat tape wattage. Obviously you won't get the same temps out of each strip, but this should be safe if wired properly.