Power of Flex Watt Heat Tape? Heat per Cubic Foot?

[Soterios]

So I'm building an incubator out of a wine cooler. Yeehaw!

It's roughly 5.2 cubit feet on the interior. I'll be keeping ball python eggs in there, so the goal is that ~90*.

I'll run running a Helix Control Thermostat.

I'd like to keep that part of the build as simple as possible, so I really like the kit that Blue Apple puts together, but they only sell 3" and 11" tape. The center channel on the back is about 6.25" wide. So I can't run the 11" tape.

If I ran the 3" tape for about three feet along the bottom/back of the incubator, would that produce sufficient heat? I see that some places sell 6" tape, but none with that simplistic clip design. Any thoughts?

I see the Reptile Basics 6" kit as well. That looks like the jam, perhaps.

PS: I am handy with a soldering iron, so if I'm over complicating the process, let me know.

[axeman569]

I made an incubator out of a wine cooler as well. I ran about 18" of the 11" flexwatt up the back. Maybe you can run the 3" flexwatt up both sides of the channel. I don't know if 1 section of 3" would stay warm enough. You could always set it up and see. I would rather have extra and let the Herpstat control it. I wouldn't want to risk it not getting warm enough.

[axeman569]

BTW, I soldered mine and used the plastic protectors and then filled them will silicone the protect them from moisture.

[Robyn@SYR]

The 6" should work well, you can see the THG soldering instructions here- http://thgheat.com/diy-solder-heat-tape-connections/

[Soterios]

The 6" should work well, you can see the THG soldering instructions here- http://thgheat.com/diy-solder-heat-tape-connections/

Thank you. I decided to order the 6".

I can't wait to get this thing up and running.

Cooler
3' x 6" Heat Tape
Helix Thermostat
Two PC fans
Analog Hygro/Thermo inside
Digital Wireless Thermo inside.

[mechnut450]

I used a coke machine and put (roughly) about 5' of 3 " heat tape in mine. I ran it from the one side, across the bottom and up the other side ( like a large U of heat tape) and set a simple on/off t-stat and it works great. I found that if you put a lot of the water bottles in there it helps the heat come back up faster when you open the door. I had great success with it too hatching out 3-4 clutches over the last 2 years. with a whopping 4 planned right now for this year.

[Soterios]

I used a coke machine and put (roughly) about 5' of 3 " heat tape in mine. I ran it from the one side, across the bottom and up the other side ( like a large U of heat tape) and set a simple on/off t-stat and it works great. I found that if you put a lot of the water bottles in there it helps the heat come back up faster when you open the door. I had great success with it too hatching out 3-4 clutches over the last 2 years. with a whopping 4 planned right now for this year.

Thanks. I only plan on having two clutches this year. Just crossing my fingers for the future.