Need help with flexwatt???

[Hurricane Dragons]

i bought some flexwatt and im wondering if there is a way to hook up the electrical cords to it without using the clips/insulators? i read somewhere that you can do it a different way but i have used the search function endlessly and i cant find anything....any electricians out there that might know or and diy's that might know? thanks in advance....

 

[Shadera]

You can scratch off/melt the plastic over the metal bands and solder the wires from the cord to the flex, but it's not as stable a connection. (In my experience.)

A little bit of info on it on this page:
http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/flexwire.shtml

 

[snowgyre]

I solder mine personally, but it does take some practice at getting a good connection. The trick is not to apply too much heat.

 

[Clay Davenport]

I solder mine personally, but it does take some practice at getting a good connection. The trick is not to apply too much heat.

This is very true. Done properly, soldering actually gives a more reliable connection, but too much heat will cause the conductor to separate from the plastic entirely and make it weak. It takes a bit of practice to get the feel for it.

I've had flexwatt stop heating after 2 or 3 years when using the clips. Removing the clips and reseating them was needed to get the tape heating again. Granted I do not have a set of the flexwatt pliers made to attach the cords. Before I started soldering the connections I had taken to using a hammer to get the clips as tight as possible.

As far as the insulators I don't use them at all. The can't be used when soldering anyway. When used in a rack situation, I just cover the connections with electrical tape to keep me from accidentally touching them.
Inside a cage I seal the connections with silicone and cover the entire surface of the heater and the connections with foil tape, securing it to the floor in the process. The tape protects the heater and keeps the snake from trying to use it as a hide by getting underneath it.

You have to use flexwatt however you feel comfortable, this is just how I use it. Chances are the company would not accept liability for using it in snake cages in the first place, but they definitely wouldn't when wiring it in a way other than how it is designed, so know your abilities before doing it, and always use a thermostat.

 

[runyon_0509]

Hammer is a nice idea. I think i might try that. I dont buy coneectors either, electrical tape is much cheaper.

 

[Focal]

Here's another DIY that I used:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?100885-How-to-Solder-Flexwatt(Pictures)

 

[Hurricane Dragons]

thanks so much for all the replies...they really help...i think my method of choice will ge liquid electrical tape, regular electrical tape and a hammer...thanks again...

craig morel

 

[crotalusadamanteus]

Here's what I do...

Supplies

Cages

Racks

The teeth on the washer bites into the strip and it makes a solid connection. Plus it's undo-able if you need to.

 

[Southern Wolf]

I subscribed to Ricks way of doing things a while back.. .It is soooo much easier and I haven't had any problems yet.

 

[crotalusadamanteus]

Ain't my idea. I stole it from someone. LOL

 

[Southern Wolf]

Well I stole it from you the first time you posted your way

 

[Melinda]

Here's what I do...

Supplies

Cages

Racks

The teeth on the washer bites into the strip and it makes a solid connection. Plus it's undo-able if you need to.

I think I'm gonna steal this idea too!! It seems like a much sturdier, faster method than soldering and the connections will be outside the rack

 

[Hurricane Dragons]

well guys i found a different way to do it...(although i knew there was an eyehole way to do it with screws) well i was at home depot and i found liquid electrical tape... and man it works awesome, and very easy to do...i used the clips on the wires that BAH sent me and i used a hammer to put the clips on....and then seal them with liquid tape...very flexable and seems to work fine...thanks for all the ideas...oh and if this doesnt work, im gonna go to the screws and eyehole clips....thanks again...

 

[rcpreis3]

What minimum gauge cord should be used when connecting flexwatt to a plug? I cant find any wires with plugs attached, so im just going to HD supply and getting 18ga lamp cord and some easy wire cord plugs and fabricating my own power cords. But im worried that 18 gauge wouldnt be enough to handle all the power for 11 inch flexwatt. I wanted to go 14 gauge but cant seem to find the wire I want to use. Does it really matter? Or will 18 ga be too weak and cause catastrophic failure?

I hope this isnt considered thread jacking, as the title seems generally stated.

 

[crotalusadamanteus]

I go to the dollar store and buy 6 ft extension cords for a buck each, and cut the female end off. Flex watt isn't going to create enough of a draw to warm up ANY wire, unless you are trying to wire up all your cages to one cord, so gauge of wire isn't all that important.

Flex watt draws X amount of watts per foot (different watts per foot for different sizes and brands). Knowing that wattage, and calculating it so you don't have too much plugged into the thermostat is of more importance.

 

[Clay Davenport]

I've never used 18 gauge wire for flexwatt. The cords Rick mentioned are 16 gauge, and they can handle just over 1600 watts. I personally wouldn't want to use the smaller 18 gauge, but I'm sure it could handle the current for some flexwatt. Eleven inch flexwatt draws 20 watts per foot.
What he described is probably the best route to take for you. If I'm wiring one piece for a cage that's how I do it as well.
If I'm wiring a rack I usually wire the levels together with THHN, 12 or 14 guage, whatever spool I have laying around, then wire the cheap extension cord to the last piece to plug into the t-stat.

 

[rcpreis3]

Awesome thx guys

 

[Southern Wolf]

I also wired my racks up the way Clay describes... and if Im just doing one level or something I grab a cord I have lying around. IF a piece of equipment goes bad.. I always cut the cord off before I toss it. Never know when you might need a cord that will plug into the wall

 

[crotalusadamanteus]

If I'm wiring a rack I usually wire the levels together with THHN, 12 or 14 guage, whatever spool I have laying around, then wire the cheap extension cord to the last piece to plug into the t-stat.

I buy 3 extra extension cords and cut them into 6-8" lengths as needed.

 

[rcpreis3]

I also wired my racks up the way Clay describes... and if Im just doing one level or something I grab a cord I have lying around. IF a piece of equipment goes bad.. I always cut the cord off before I toss it. Never know when you might need a cord that will plug into the wall

I usually do but all my appliances are new now and I dont have to throw them away. Although I have thought about ending that evil blenders warrenty....