just to put in my .02 I used a human heating pad. I took the control feature off connected the wires. it does get really hot really fast like that but I also had it hooked up to a thermostat as well. I am still not saying to use one. I was broke at the time I did this and had a zoomed pad cord break on me. but without the controler on the human heating pad the heating pad does get way too hot and the cords being put together can cause a fire