Protective material over Flexwatt? First rack.

[kitedemon]

Racks really need stable room temps and typically 80ºF is what is best just heat the room to 80 and hold it there and the issue is gone. The point is often missed by people whom recommend using racks that most how do have them have rooms at 80ºF and 60% humidity. The problem with out this is there is very few ways to control the cool side and ambient air temps by far the easiest way is to heat the room and hold it at constant temps most use a t-stat with an oil filled heater.

[hungba]

I read a lot about people using oil filled heater to heat the ambient in the room and have it controlled by a thermostat. I remember a couple years ago or so, the electronics store here REFUSED to sell me a thermostat when I told them I was going to hook it up to an oil filled heater. They said it was very dangerous to do so, I don't know why.

But let me start by knowing what to tape down the flex watt first. I have another issue. I know it is done a lot of people using foil tape to affix the flexwatt along the sides, but not to tape ACROSS it running across both AC metal strips. However, I have the flexwatt 11 inch so that the tubs will slide ALONG it, (i.e., the horizontal black heating elements are paralell to the back of the tub), so I need to tape the part across it where the tub will slide on. This will be across the two AC current lines. What can I use??

[kitedemon]

No they will slide over the flexwatt fine no problem just use electrical tape over the cut 'strips' an over the connections I use foil tape alone just the edge to hold it down. Ranco and johnsons are designed to control heaters and units like oil filled heaters especially the cheapest versions that are with out complete thermostats of their own. Set it to max (or close to) and then allow the regular t-stat to regulate it.

[hungba]

No they will slide over the flexwatt fine no problem just use electrical tape over the cut 'strips' an over the connections I use foil tape alone just the edge to hold it down. Ranco and johnsons are designed to control heaters and units like oil filled heaters especially the cheapest versions that are with out complete thermostats of their own. Set it to max (or close to) and then allow the regular t-stat to regulate it.

Yes I know you just tape the edges to tape it down, but usually you tape the edges that are perpendicular to the heating elements and paralell to the AC so that the tubs slide over the taped down edge. Since I am angling the tape the other way, as the tubs are about 10 inches wide (best for the 11 inch tape), I will be sliding the tubs over the side that is usually NOT taped down, such that the tubs are paralell to the heating elements and perpendicular to the AC, do you understand what I mean?

Perhaps I can make it simpler if I say I am sliding the tubs "vertically" ALONG the flexwatt, and not "horizontally" onto the flexwatt. You tape the edges horizontally, the vertically is usually not taped. I need to tape that down so it can slide.

[kitedemon]

I tape all four side down. The exposed metal is taped with electrical tape first. I actually use liquid rubber on it then electrical tape and foil tape to hold it down.

My 17 inch is laid down metal tracks in the flexwatt front to back the back flexwatt is side to side. I think I mentioned in another thread I use hot and cool end heaters... ? it is hard and complex but solves my issues (stupid old house.)