Best locations for my flexwatt?

nlspears · #1 (**permalink**) 02-05-2005, 05:56 AM

Okay, I have just finished building a melamine cage. It is 4'x2'x18''. I will have two pieces of 11 in flex watt, each 2 feet long. I plan on taping one under the cage on on end and on the same end tape the other on the ceiling of the cage. Is this a good set up or is there a better way to position the pieces of flex?

Ed_r · #2 (**permalink**) 02-05-2005, 06:13 AM

Your better off. taping the flexwatt down inside the cage, and sandwiching it in between a piece of tile board and the melamine. You will need to recess the melamine so the cords dont get crushed. USE Silicone to seal the tileboard down so liquids do not get to the flexwatt and short it out. and of course use a form of temperature control.
If you put the flexwat UNDER the cage i really dont think the heat would pennetrate the melamine. You would probably end up burning the melamine or the surface its on with the heat required to feel anything in the cage.

Dbutton · #3 (**permalink**) 02-05-2005, 06:18 AM

Well first of all I don't think that you will need one on the ceiling of the cage. That would just be a waste of heat tape and not really accomplish anything in the way of heating.
As for putting the piece on the end, you should probably put that inside the cage and cover it with 1/4" plexiglass instead of under the cage. Melamine is thick and dense and you will loose a lot of heat by placing it under the cage. With it inside you will use much less power and be able to run the heat tape at a much lower temp to achieve the proper temp. gradient in your cage.
If you opt for the in cage method get yourself a peice of plexiglass that is about 1" bigger all the way around than your flexwatt, position the heat tape, tape it down with aluminum tape and then put a bead of silicone sealant around the edge of the plexiglass and press it firmly in place over the flexwatt being sure to cover the connections too. This will give you a waterproof heated area that should last for years.
Many of the major cage manufacturers use the same method for heating their cages and I have that setup in my big burm cage and it works great.

David

nlspears · #4 (**permalink**) 02-05-2005, 03:21 PM

Okay, thanks for the advice. The reason I was going to put one on the ceiling is because I always see heat panels in that position and throught flexwatt wouldn't be any different. As with putting it under a piece of plexi, wouldn't that constrict the airflow or am I mistaken? If am mistaken which would be better a piece of plex or tileboard?

Dbutton · #5 (**permalink**) 02-05-2005, 04:15 PM

Funny, Ed_r and I must have been typing the same thing at the same time. LOL! EIther way, tileboard or plexiglass, will give you the same results. You will need to recess it a bit like Ed said, so that it doesn't get mashed.

David

justcage · #6 (**permalink**) 02-05-2005, 05:57 PM

http://www.mgreptiles.com/FLEXFAQ.html

nlspears · #7 (**permalink**) 02-07-2005, 04:46 PM

Okay, I have a couple of questions:

1. I may use the the plex or tileboard, so what to you mean by recess the melamine? Do you mean I need to dig into it?

2. Why would the flexwatt burn the melamine if put under the cage but not burn it if sandwiched under some plex or tileboard?

3. Would flex taped to the ceiling perform the same as a radient heat panel?

4. Would it be better to put the two 11'x2ft pieces of flex side by side and sandwitched under a bid piece of plex or tileboard, or put one piece on the floor of the cage and the other above it on the ceiling?

Ed_r · #8 (**permalink**) 02-07-2005, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nlspears

Okay, I have a couple of questions:

1. I may use the the plex or tileboard, so what to you mean by recess the melamine? Do you mean I need to dig into it?

2. Why would the flexwatt burn the melamine if put under the cage but not burn it if sandwiched under some plex or tileboard?

3. Would flex taped to the ceiling perform the same as a radient heat panel?

4. Would it be better to put the two 11'x2ft pieces of flex side by side and sandwitched under a bid piece of plex or tileboard, or put one piece on the floor of the cage and the other above it on the ceiling?

1) yes, I use a Dremmel with a barrel sander attachment, does a nice even job and doesn't gouge. All your doing is making a small rut for the cord to sit in, and maybe the connector too.

2) The flexxwatt under the cage would have to be going full blast to even attempt to raise the temps inside the cage. 130-140 degrees will start to burn the surface. If you have it sandwiched, you will have the temps regulated to about 90-94 actual degrees, to get your 88 degrees cage temps. So its set cooler and wont burn.

3) its a similare construction, but I would assume a heat pannel has some sort of heat reflector in it to push more heat down. Remember that hot air RISES. So if it comes from the floor it will heat the air too.

4) see answer 3. No do not put a piece of flexwatt on the cieling.

nlspears · #9 (**permalink**) 02-07-2005, 06:34 PM

Okay, thanks for the answers provided. I guess I am going to put the two pieces next to each other under a big piece of tile board. That being said, where do you think would be the best location for the thermostat probe and the thermometer probe?

Ed_r · #10 (**permalink**) 02-07-2005, 07:05 PM

I secure mine directly to the floor over the heat source. I just use silicone to keep it in place. Just lay a bead of silicone down , and smoosh the probes into the silicone. Try to get it so the probe touches the floor through the silicone, so tyou get a more accurate reading.

If you were to dangle the porbe over the heat spot the snake could move it out of the way, causing the themostat to read cold and provide more heat.

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