bottom level of rack adjustments

[hungba]

I'm sure you guys all had the problem with the bottom level of the rack always being colder than the rest. In my rack I built, the levels are pretty much all even temperature except the bottom. Even the second lowest level isn't colder than the rest above it, just the bottom one. The top level is slightly colder but to no significance.

I would like to correct this, and not waste the level. The rack is closed on two sides left and right, and the front is obviously open to let the tub slide out. The back is also open, and just stoppers to stop the tubs from sliding back too much.

What I did was I closed off the back of the lowest level with some aluminium sheeting. It seemed to help a little bit when I measured it at first but still not enough, but now it's again back to what it was before for some reason.

Anything else I can try other than having a separately wired heating system for just that level?

[Kodieh]

You could try closing that shelf in on the sides and back, depending on your wiring. But, I think that the easiest thing to do here even though it's a pain/not cost effective is to just heat it separately OR rewire it with different flex watt; say two strips of 4"?

[adamsky27]

I hope you get some good answers, I also have a rack like this. In my case its the bottom two shelves which are pretty much useless right now. Both the sides and the back are enclosed as well.

[pigfat]

If it sets up off the ground any, get you a sheet of styrafoam insulation and put it under the bottom drawer. Then cut another piece and put it on the back side as well. I got mine at my local hardware store and it was a 4'x8' sheet but it was only $7. You may get lucky and get a piece thats broken for a discount, my store didn't have any broken pieces. I did this last night after getting my first rack and noticing that it was cooler than the rest.

[hungba]

The left and right sides are closed anyway for all levels. Only front and back are open. I already covered the back side like I said. Not sure if I am using the right material though, I used aluminium sheeting.

Also, it is raised off the floor as it has wheels. Maybe I add something under it.

I am certainly not going to rewire the whole thing. I may consider putting in a back heat for that level only, but not sure then how to control it with the thermostat being that level would be just different from everything else. Right now the thermostat probe is on a middle level taped to the heat tape directly.

OH wait, I just had an idea, since it is raised off the floor, what if I add a flexwatt directly under the wood at the bottom of the shelf? MAy be easier to put in, but still don't know how to control it with the same thermostat. If I have to rewire everything with a new thermostat for just that level I may just leave it empty.

[Royal Hijinx]

If you add secondary heat, it needs a separate thermostat. I would insulate the back with wood or styrofoam first, as the aluminum sheeting may not be thick enough. And possibly styrofoam on the bottom since it is up off the ground.

What is the temp difference in the bottom drawer?

[hungba]

If you add secondary heat, it needs a separate thermostat. I would insulate the back with wood or styrofoam first, as the aluminum sheeting may not be thick enough. And possibly styrofoam on the bottom since it is up off the ground.

What is the temp difference in the bottom drawer?

Other shelves are around 90, and that one is about 84 85.

Even if I add back heat, I don't know how a separate thermostat would work as there would be two elements working together. Might as well have it completely separately heated, and actually, if that's the case, then perhaps it's better to just forget it and just leave it empty. Much cheaper to get another tub and build a level on top than to rewire everything and buy an extra thermostat for one tub.

I'll try the styrofoam but that's the extent I can go with it I guess.

By the way, why does insulating the bottom help? The wood there is already 1 inch thick. Is it because the floor is cold?

[JohnNJ]

I built a platform with wheels and placed the rack on it. It keeps it off the cold floor. It's cooler at that level for sure. You could get a small heater and keep it low so it doesn't make the room hot but raises the temps at the bottom of the rack.

[Royal Hijinx]

Insulating the bottom can't hurt in this case

[Evenstar]

If it sets up off the ground any, get you a sheet of styrafoam insulation and put it under the bottom drawer. Then cut another piece and put it on the back side as well. I got mine at my local hardware store and it was a 4'x8' sheet but it was only $7. You may get lucky and get a piece thats broken for a discount, my store didn't have any broken pieces. I did this last night after getting my first rack and noticing that it was cooler than the rest.

This is absolutely right. The aluminum sheeting you're currently using is not the right material and really doesn't offer any insulation. The styrofoam will. Use it on the back and the bottom. I would also cut a couple of strips and use it on the sides of the rack as well just where the bottom level is. You'll be surprised how much that will help.

Also, you mentioned it was on wheels, but is there a chance you can remove the wheels on the rack itself and build a higher platform (with wheels) that it can sit on? If you can raise the rack off the floor by even one level, that should really help solve the problem.