flexwatt rubbing?

[dr del]

Hi,

I got my test peice of flexwatt in the mail today.


Ye gods this stuff is amazing compared to the uth pads we have in europe - waaay more heating power.

What I wanted to ask was if it is ok for the tubs to slide directly across the flexwatt or will it wear through it quite quickly? I ask because I am definately going to have to use some on the cool side as well and was thinking of 2 peices 2' by 11" under a 3 foot long by 2 foot wide tub. One piece running back to front to provide the hot end and one running lengthwise to maintain the cools side temps of 82. (tubs being pulled out long side facing you)

also would I be best placing the cool side strip along the middle of the tub (where it will probably end up being under the water bowl somewhat) or along the back side with the front being an even cooler zone with the water bowl in it?

Trying to think of a clearer way of phrasing that last paragraph - should I place them in an "L" formation or a "T" formation on the shelf?

In some threads people said to router a 1/16th channel but if I try that I'm not going to have any shelf left.

I could possibly cover the whole shelf in sheet aluminium over the top of the flexwatt but I don't know how that would affect the thermal gradient or even if its safe to do that to flexwatt.

any advice?



dr del

[krood]

aluminum tape seems to be the solution

[daniel1983]

I have thin pieces of tin over all the flexwatt in my rack system...they make 'heat panels' of some sort. The flexwatt WILL rub down with repeated sliding of the tub, so you should do something to protect it

[Wild Bill]

I have thin pieces of tin over all the flexwatt in my rack system...they make 'heat panels' of some sort. The flexwatt WILL rub down with repeated sliding of the tub, so you should do something to protect it

Have you had a problem with that? I hear people say that all the time, but noone has ever had a problem with it (that I have talked to). I have some that has been in use with daily opening for 18 months and not a single wear mark yet. I just use the aluminum tape around the edges. I'm just wondering if this is a rumor or has really happened to someone.

[daniel1983]

Have you had a problem with that? I hear people say that all the time, but noone has ever had a problem with it (that I have talked to). I have some that has been in use with daily opening for 18 months and not a single wear mark yet. I just use the aluminum tape around the edges. I'm just wondering if this is a rumor or has really happened to someone.

I had some unprotected flexwatt that was showing wear marks and I had read of it taking abuse so I put the tin in. The flexwatt that I noticed the wear marks on was around 1.5 years old and had a tub sliding across it at least 2 times a day. I don't see how putting the tin there could have hurt anything.....and now I have no worry about a spot wearing thin......I am all about less worry

EDIT: The tubs in that rack also fit rather 'snug' so their was a bit more pressure exerted on the flex than with my current setup too.

[Wild Bill]

I had some unprotected flexwatt that was showing wear marks and I had read of it taking abuse so I put the tin in. The flexwatt that I noticed the wear marks on was around 1.5 years old and had a tub sliding across it at least 2 times a day. I don't see how putting the tin there could have hurt anything.....and now I have no worry about a spot wearing thin......I am all about less worry

EDIT: The tubs in that rack also fit rather 'snug' so their was a bit more pressure exerted on the flex than with my current setup too.

I have an 1/8" clearance on my adult racks, thats why I probably haven't noticed any rubbing.

[Sputnik]

I have an 1/8" clearance on my adult racks, thats why I probably haven't noticed any rubbing.

Same here, give it that breathing space.

[slartibartfast]

Ah, this thread is so timely. A friend is working on a rack for me, and we'd been discussing this very issue, as it's the first rack I've ever had made, and he was sortof roped into this with no prior herp history (although he is very handy with general making stuff).

It sounds as if his existing plans will work perfectly, which is a relief.

[tonymul]

Hi,

I got my test peice of flexwatt in the mail today.


Ye gods this stuff is amazing compared to the uth pads we have in europe - waaay more heating power.

What I wanted to ask was if it is ok for the tubs to slide directly across the flexwatt or will it wear through it quite quickly? I ask because I am definately going to have to use some on the cool side as well and was thinking of 2 peices 2' by 11" under a 3 foot long by 2 foot wide tub. One piece running back to front to provide the hot end and one running lengthwise to maintain the cools side temps of 82. (tubs being pulled out long side facing you)

also would I be best placing the cool side strip along the middle of the tub (where it will probably end up being under the water bowl somewhat) or along the back side with the front being an even cooler zone with the water bowl in it?

Trying to think of a clearer way of phrasing that last paragraph - should I place them in an "L" formation or a "T" formation on the shelf?

In some threads people said to router a 1/16th channel but if I try that I'm not going to have any shelf left.

I could possibly cover the whole shelf in sheet aluminium over the top of the flexwatt but I don't know how that would affect the thermal gradient or even if its safe to do that to flexwatt.

any advice?



dr del

I am in N Ireland and was thinking of Flexwatt - where did you purchase it from and is it safe to use with 240 V?

Thanks

[dr del]

Hi,


I ordered it directly from the manufacturer.

here.


When I initially contacted them they sent me the whole european price list - but that's geared at re-sellers and semed like total overkill to me. But when I started asking them they offered to sell me ready made up units as I was only looking for a small order.

Not all their range is available in 240v but here are the ones that are;

11” wide element, 20 W/Lin. Ft. @ 220 Volt,
4” wide element, 8 W/Lin. Ft. @ 220 Volt,
11” x 6.25”, 8.5 W/Panel @ 230 Volt,

So we can't get the 3" but can get 4" and if you wanted to do it yourself (or have a few hundred friends who also want some) they will sell the crimping tools and connectors needed if you buy the rolls - be warned they talk about 500 foot rolls by default and they aint cheap.

I will probably be buying another 10 of the 2' x 11" ready made up units but will need to finalise a few points before I will know for sure.

It might also be worth asking in a few of the american shops as I know of at least two of them that deliver but have not yet asked if they can find the 240v version - I hadn't condidered asking them till I had already ordered.

Mine took about 8 days to arrive via US airmail - they originally quoted for UPS and 3 days but the difference in price was ludicrous.

the 2' x 11" ready made up mat was only $14.25 and US airmail delivery came to $14. I dont know how much it would be for a large delivery though so you would need to ask - they even phoned me to get the visa details. They aren't always the quickest at answering emails though but a large part of that may be my isp getting themselves put on a spam blacklist.

All in all I really like the stuff - it happily reaches 116f in my living room where the local ultratherm heatmats only reach 84. It can't cope with the windows being open but ceramic heaters have ruined me and it breaks my heart I can't work out how to use them in racks.

The mat even came with a british plug already attatched - will put up a picture in a sec.



dr del