heat tape without thermostat?

Fairy_of_insanity · #1 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 07:12 PM

good? bad? how hot does it get? does anyone here use it? i've been trying to find cheaper alternatives to UTH's, but i still want them to be safe... if it isn't, know of anywhere i can find a cheap thermostat that actually works?

joker_8 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 07:17 PM

DONT DO IT. I ordered some flex awhile backand thought it was faulty, so I ran a test by running it full bore over night. The cage floor was barley warm to the touch ( which is why I thought it was faulty) but when I hooked my thermometers to the floor andran thetest again the floor got to 127 degrees. DO NOT RUN WITHOUT AT LEAST A DIMMER!!!!!!!! lol. It heats the floor only, I was misimformed that it provided ambiet but it will do nothing for yur cage temps, just belly heat. But it is good for that.

Also, you can save some money if you just build yourself a dimmer, it requiers a lil bit more observace as it will rise and fall depending on air temps but Ive had no issues with them, Ive build 4. Its really easy and once you get it died it you can worry alot less.

Eric From Cincinnati · #3 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 07:20 PM

First, what are you keeping? Snakes, turtles, lizards? Second, whatever your answer may be, I'd say a thermostat is a must. most animals in captivity have very specific ranges of temperature they will stay healthy within. You also don't want to cook your animal.
As far as what brand to get, I don't really know prices/value for your buck but I'm sure someone else will come along. You can get a digital Hygrometer/Thermometer from radio shack...It will tell the temp/humidity as well as tell you how high and low they have gone. They're relatively cheap. I think mine was 29 or 39 bucks or something but they are far better than an analog one.

TheBoaGuy · #4 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joker420_8

DONT DO IT. I ordered some flex awhile backand thought it was faulty, so I ran a test by running it full bore over night. The cage floor was barley warm to the touch ( which is why I thought it was faulty) but when I hooked my thermometers to the floor andran thetest again the floor got to 127 degrees. DO NOT RUN WITHOUT AT LEAST A DIMMER!!!!!!!! lol. It heats the floor only, I was misimformed that it provided ambiet but it will do nothing for yur cage temps, just belly heat. But it is good for that.

I dont know how you have your heat tape set up but mine keeps my ambient temps perfectly except for my cage closest to the floor. so for that i just run a che to pick up the diffrence in heat

joker_8 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 07:23 PM

2 foot section of 11 inch, I ran it for 3 days straight and it didnt so crap for air temp, So I run RHP now. And a stat is a VERY usefull thing but not required. I havent had a single problem with usng sdimmers , so I guess the best advice would be : " Use what works for ya". Good luck

Fairy_of_insanity · #6 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 07:31 PM

thanks, i'm not keeping a huge amount of snakes yet so i suppose i'll just keep up with the UHT's and monitering until i can afford the bigger better stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joker420_8

DONT DO IT. I ordered some flex awhile backand thought it was faulty, so I ran a test by running it full bore over night. The cage floor was barley warm to the touch ( which is why I thought it was faulty) but when I hooked my thermometers to the floor andran thetest again the floor got to 127 degrees. DO NOT RUN WITHOUT AT LEAST A DIMMER!!!!!!!! lol. It heats the floor only, I was misimformed that it provided ambiet but it will do nothing for yur cage temps, just belly heat. But it is good for that.
Also, you can save some money if you just build yourself a dimmer, it requiers a lil bit more observace as it will rise and fall depending on air temps but Ive had no issues with them, Ive build 4. Its really easy and once you get it died it you can worry alot less.

.....

....I am cluless? how would i go about building a dimmer....mind you i'm completely electrically iliterate....use small words...

ozzyman778 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 07:38 PM

just make sure you some type of heat control the minimum being a dimmer switch flexwatt can reach temps over 120 degrees

unluckyseventeen · #8 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 07:44 PM

I always run my under-tank heat at extra low. My boa will only sit on it at night anyway. I've probed it, and it keeps around 93, even on EXTRA, EXTRA low. If I made it go any lower, it'd be off.

joker_8 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 08:24 PM

with the setup I meantion you have a HUGE range, as you are limiting power sent to the item. Im sure its not as accutrate as say a stat, but they work fine. Jst make sure you have thermometers in place.

Rex322 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-20-2006, 05:28 PM

dont run heat tape without something controling it. it can melt itself

muzixman · #11 (**permalink**) 02-20-2006, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairy_of_insanity

I am cluless? how would i go about building a dimmer....mind you i'm completely electrically iliterate....use small words...

http://redtailboa.net/forums/showthr...062#post217062

Rex322 · #12 (**permalink**) 02-20-2006, 06:24 PM

or you can buy one for $10

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