New rack questions

[mitchball519]

I just got a 5 tub 28 qt melamine rack yesterday. I can't seem to get the temps right. I have my helix set at 107. My accurate probe is on the flex watt(backheat) and my accurite says 92? The back wall of the tub is only hitting about 86. My helix only goes to 110, I'm not sure what to do?

[mitchball519]

The room is at a steady 70 degrees

[The Serpent Merchant]

The room is really cold, racks do much better in rooms at least 75 and preferably closer to 80.

Where is the helix probe?

[mitchball519]

I don't really have anywhere else to put it right now til I move next month. The helix is on the middle shelf, 3rd one. I'm using 11 inch flex watt. The back is pegboard. Anyway I could better insulate it?

[Royal Hijinx]

You can get a piece of hard foam to place along the back on the outside of the pegboard.

[mitchball519]

Ok. Would I get that at lowes? And do I glue it on?

[The Serpent Merchant]

yes, you can get it at loses... no I wouldn't glue it. nails or screws would be much better.

So the probe is attached to the 11" flexwatt correct?

if so you could try putting the helix's probe into one of the tubs (set the Helix to 90) and see if the flexwatt is even capable of heating the tub. back heat is hard even in warmer rooms. belly heat is far more efficient at transferring heat.

[el8ch]

The back of my racks are covered with aluminum insulation wrap, works very well in my setup. The base of my racks are also insulated with R7 Foam board which drastically helped raising the temps. Those two things along with a regulated space heater should help you along.

[mitchball519]

yes, you can get it at loses... no I wouldn't glue it. nails or screws would be much better.

So the probe is attached to the 11" flexwatt correct?

if so you could try putting the helix's probe into one of the tubs (set the Helix to 90) and see if the flexwatt is even capable of heating the tub. back heat is hard even in warmer rooms. belly heat is far more efficient at transferring heat.

Thanks I will try the helix in a tub. Only 2 will be used when temps are right

[mitchball519]

Set probe in back of tub with helix at 90. The helix never hit 90, says 83 on screen. Could the flex watt be bad? A bad connection? So confused