flkexwatt question :)

[Ginevive]

It is OK to plug the FW into a power strip as shown, right? Just checking, to settle an argument. The power strip is, of course, plugged into a thermostat.

[Don]

If it were me, I'd split them up. That looks like an accident waiting to happen. But, you have to understand, I'm one who over engineers safety into everything I build.

[ssjsmits]

Sure. But if it were me, I'd just get a spike bar and plug everything into that. Not as junky looking and a little safer.

[Somed00d]

Perfectly fine unless those cords are hooked to hundreds of feet of flexwatt. It might be unsightly but there is nothing wrong with it.

[jknudson]

I wouldn't...but maybe that's just me. Why don't you wire the flextwatt strips together, and use a single plug?

[jglass38]

Perfectly fine.

[frankykeno]

We use those long multi-outlet power bars (power strips?) with 6 or 8 outlets. As long as the flexwatt is all the same type and the total wattage isn't excessive for the tstat, I've been told it's fine.

I did note on the instruction booklet with our Helix that it's recommended you use a power bar with no surge protector as the Helix has it's own fusing system and one can mess up the other.

[MeMe]

I did note on the instruction booklet with our Helix that it's recommended you use a power bar with no surge protector as the Helix has it's own fusing system and one can mess up the other.

really?

interesting...when I had my helix plugged right into the wall and I lost power it blew the fuse in the helix. I of course called Rich at Reptile Basics. One of the questions he asked me was..."Do you have the helix hooked up to a surge protector?" I said no and he advised me to use one.

now I have a power bar with a surge protector.

[muddoc]

really?

interesting...when I had my helix plugged right into the wall and I lost power it blew the fuse in the helix. I of course called Rich at Reptile Basics. One of the questions he asked me was..."Do you have the helix hooked up to a surge protector?" I said no and he advised me to use one.

now I have a power bar with a surge protector.

Nothing against Rich, because I send him alot of business, but remember that Rich does not manufacture Helix's. I have every one of my Helix thermostats plugged directly into the wall, and have never had a problem in five years. With that said, I did encounter a lightning strike about a month ago that screwed up a DBS-1000 and a 1500 watt system. They are at Helix, and are just about done and ready to come back home. But, even the lightning strike didn't blow the internal fuses. I wonder what happened to yours Meme?

[MeMe]

Nothing against Rich, because I send him alot of business, but remember that Rich does not manufacture Helix's. I have every one of my Helix thermostats plugged directly into the wall, and have never had a problem in five years. With that said, I did encounter a lightning strike about a month ago that screwed up a DBS-1000 and a 1500 watt system. They are at Helix, and are just about done and ready to come back home. But, even the lightning strike didn't blow the internal fuses. I wonder what happened to yours Meme?

no doubt...

I just remember that when I realized the helix wasn't working (I was incubating eggs) I called Rich and he told me to check the fuse inside and sure enough it was blown...he did say that it happens sometimes but to replace th fuse and plug it in to the surge protector. After that we had another bad storm and lost power but the Helix fuse didn't blow.

idk.