How to setup the Flexwatt on my rack?

[JamesMX39]

Hey, I already know how I am going to wire the flexwatt in terms of the circuit (In paralell, seperate piece for each tub, and I am going to be doing belly heat only), but I don't know exactly what to do now. Makes it hard to order when you don't know what you need...

I am using the Sterilite 1756 32qt tubs and I have them set up in the rack such that the longest side is the outside. So they are sideways I guess you would say. I will be using the 3" Flexwatt.

How should I arrange the flexwatt? Should I do a strip (or two?) longways along the back bottom edge of the tub, or should I do a strip (or two) on one side? Or should I do it a different way that that?

Incase I haven't been very clear, this is what I mean:


I'm not familiar with flexwatt or how much heat it gives off, so I don't know how much is enough.

Thanks everyone!

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

or






11" flexwatt, a piece 1 foot long

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

oh I just noticed you said you already have the rack built.


If you are running it lengthwise along the back (reccommended because if you heat the back, and it is a closed rack, it will stay warmer in the back, and cooler towards the front as that is the area that is near the outside room) then you should use 2 strips of 3" spaced out a bit so that you give about 1/3 of the tub as a basking area....

at least thats what I would do.

[JamesMX39]

oh I just noticed you said you already have the rack built.


If you are running it lengthwise along the back (reccommended because if you heat the back, and it is a closed rack, it will stay warmer in the back, and cooler towards the front as that is the area that is near the outside room) then you should use 2 strips of 3" spaced out a bit so that you give about 1/3 of the tub as a basking area....

at least thats what I would do.

I think I understand what you are saying, but do you mean have the flexxwat covering about 1/3 of the bottom area in the back, or leaving the front third un-heated?

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

Having the flexwatt underneath 1/3 of your tub approximately. This will give your snake room to lay on the warm area, and still move up front where the bottom isnt nearly as warm.

I do use 3" flexwatt on a 28 quart and only use 1 strip (but this is because I use it for two sizes of tubs). I figure an inch or so on either side of the flexwatt should heat up pretty well, so that gives me about 1/3 of the tub bottom for warm basking.

[JamesMX39]

I understand what you are saying now.

You think just one strip of the 3" will cut it? I have no idea what the output is, so I might be inclined to use too much.

Thanks for all of you help!

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

23.5 * 16 = 376


1/3 of that would be 23.5 x 5.5 inches

I think with it facing out sideways that your best bet is to run 1 3" strip , spaced about 1.5" from the back of the tub. Assuming it heats up an area 1" to either side of the tub, that gives it a 5 inch x 23.5 inch area to lay on at warmer temps.

You could run just the one 3" strip, or you could run two 3" strips right next to each other and have a 6" wide area, leaving 10" of cooler area.... I've never done this so I am not sure..

I think the best setup for a 41 quart tub is to use one piece of 11" flexwatt in the back, but for 32 quart tub I really can't say. I would wait until someone who has used a 32 quart tub chimes in with what they've used and their experience.

Like I said, I think 1 would cut it, and 2 might be too much, so its really up to you. Ive just listed a few opinons and what I've heard, but as long as they have a section big enough to ball up on, I think they should be ok.

Also, what are your temps in your room? If they arent near 80 I would say to maybe use 2 strips of 3" to help boost overall temps in the tub, if you do go with one strip is 4" an option for you?

[JamesMX39]

I am not opposed to using 4" (unless there is a reason I should be), I just figured I would use 3" because it seems much more readily available. Most of the sites I am considering shopping from only seem to have 3" and 11", that's really all that had guided my decision. I know 11" is too much though.

I usually keep the temps in my apartment fairly low in the summer, so maybe I should go with the two strips. I don't want to overdo it though, there's always the horror stories of thermostats sticking wide open and frying the snakes.

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

I am not opposed to using 4" (unless there is a reason I should be), I just figured I would use 3" because it seems much more readily available. Most of the sites I am considering shopping from only seem to have 3" and 11", that's really all that had guided my decision. I know 11" is too much though.

I usually keep the temps in my apartment fairly low in the summer, so maybe I should go with the two strips. I don't want to overdo it though, there's always the horror stories of thermostats sticking wide open and frying the snakes.

You can always use two backups.

If you are worried about 2 wide open frying your snakes, plug the two strips directly into the wall and monitor what temps your tub maxes out at. As long as the snake can get to an area of the tub that isnt MAX flexwatt temp, I would imagine they could survive until you discovered this.

[jglass38]

Bry, that is some pretty artwork! Picasso look out!