how to keep heat tape down?

[djansen]

my rack is almost done, how do you keep the flexwaat heat tape down? glue, staple gun? thanks

[lord jackel]

Aluminum tape is the best...you can find it at Home depot or Lowes in the heating/cooling section.

[MeMe]

my rack is almost done, how do you keep the flexwaat heat tape down? glue, staple gun? thanks

you can use aluminum tape.


*Sean beat me to it.

[kellysballs]

I have used electrical tape, some sort of heat resiliant epoxy and aluminum tape. Aluminum Tape workes best, I ended up replacing the electrical tape and covering over the epoxy with it.

[Krazy99CL]

you can use aluminum tape.


*Sean beat me to it.

exactly....just use it on the clear sides of the heat tape.

[MarkS]

The problem with aluminum tape is that it's also an electrical conductor and I've actually gotten some low grade shocks from using it. Duct tape is also designed to be used in high heat situations (REAL duct tape, not the stuff sold as 'Duck tape') and I've found that it works really well.

[SatanicIntention]

I've only gotten mild shocks from when I haven't properly insulated the cut flexwatt. My 6-tub rack(has 41qt tubs in it) makes me fingers tingle every so often, so I will eventually need to take it apart and reinsulate everything(I forgot to put electrical tape on some of the flexwatt ends). Ah well, it makes it exciting

[lord jackel]

The problem with aluminum tape is that it's also an electrical conductor and I've actually gotten some low grade shocks from using it. Duct tape is also designed to be used in high heat situations (REAL duct tape, not the stuff sold as 'Duck tape') and I've found that it works really well.

This is true...but by using duct tape all you have done is mask the fact that you have a short that needs to be fixed. Should water get on that short you could have a much bigger issue.

My recommendation is instead of covering up the problem you find and fix it.

[MarkS]

My recommendation is instead of covering up the problem you find and fix it.

I've been over it completely already. Couldn't find a thing wrong, but I was still getting a little tingling sensation touching the heat tape. I wouldn't classify it as a 'shock' just a tingle. I guess it's possible that the plastic coating was just thin in that area. I'll check it again tonight.

But I still think that duct tape will make a better way to hold down the tape. At least it has some insulating properties.