| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| konrad1982 |
Posted - 03/07/2012 : 13:04:28
Hi guys. Could you tell me your opinions about heat mat and heat cables. Which of them would you rather use with rack + 50l rubs. Or which of them could be more powerful in winter time? Thanks to Kelfezond who explained most of it to me. |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| scorch |
Posted - 19/08/2012 : 11:09:44
Excellent, glad you sorted it out :)
I am with you on heat cables, so much easier and more effective, not to mention tidier :) |
| konrad1982 |
Posted - 18/08/2012 : 18:14:17
I sorted this out when I used heat cable. You can actually feel they get nice and warm. I wouldn't go for mats again. Heat reflective materials are on side and on the back walls. Aluminium tape is on the bottom of each level. There is nothing in between the cable and rub so I'm not loosing any heat now.Heat mat were something that I should never use in the first place. To me they are just to weak. |
| scorch |
Posted - 18/08/2012 : 16:16:54
Heya from a new member **waves**
Just an observation....but if the reflective material is in between the mat and the rub, will it not reflect the heat away from the rub and into the back of the rack rather than reflect the heat away from the rack and heating the rubs better ?
I use a heated cabinet/rack for my Tarantulas with a foil type insulated backing, the statted heat source is then on top of this, it stops heat loss through the back and helps focus the heat in the right direction.
As it reflects rather than conducts heat this may be why you are not getting the temps up as high as you need. I'm building a rack with a similar heating set up for my snakes. Hope you got it sorted out in the end :) |
| Kelfezond |
Posted - 09/07/2012 : 15:25:28
My next rack is going to be lidless too :) |
| konrad1982 |
Posted - 09/07/2012 : 14:50:24
Thanks guys for help. I think I will give it last chance, rout some groves, buy a heat cable and see how that works. I'm thinking about cutting them every 50 mm and covering 50% of the rub. If that won't work I will put even more cable till I get my temps right. Some of heat cables are even 12m long so it has to work. I would try with lids too but it would be too much work and I would have to drill too many holes, which I don't really want to do. |
| Kelfezond |
Posted - 09/07/2012 : 12:24:44
Mine is about the same I'd imagine, the hedgehog viv is at 20c without heating so I'd imagine if anything my rooms a little colder, add to that my rack is next to the window and my room has a window on both sides which creates a draught :P |
| hodgie |
Posted - 09/07/2012 : 12:13:26
quote:
Originally posted by Kelfezond
I can't work out why you can't get the temperatures up :/ it looks fine to me, my racks are much more exposed, less reflective tape, less heating. Strange.
What temp is your room though, because Conrads is 20.5 |
| Kelfezond |
Posted - 09/07/2012 : 12:00:30
I can't work out why you can't get the temperatures up :/ it looks fine to me, my racks are much more exposed, less reflective tape, less heating. Strange. |
| hodgie |
Posted - 09/07/2012 : 11:35:22
I can only advise on what i can see, but heat rises and if you have a slight draft or your room temp lowers then i cant see you`ll be able to get your correct temps and maintain them. As above, i have lids on mine and dont have any problems. |
| konrad1982 |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 22:26:24
I always measure temp inside of the rub. Yes, I do not have lids but gap between the top of the rub and board is only tiny one - possibly even vent holes would let more air inside. |
| hodgie |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 20:11:51
Just noticed, you dont have lids on. I keep lids on mine then it doesn`t matter if the room temp lowers the rubs will retain their heat. Unfortunately you`ll have to reposition your shelves and then drill some vent holes in the rubs. I have my holes in the front only. |
| hodgie |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 20:03:15
quote:
Originally posted by konrad1982
I measure the temp with a normal digital thermometer right on the far side of the rub (it is the hottest spot).
Is this inside the rub or outside? |
| konrad1982 |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 16:39:56
I took some pictures with my mobile so they won't be top quality but hopefully let you see something.
Doesn't matter where I put my thermostat probe - temp is not going high enough. Today guy from my local reptile shop suggested to put one extra mat on the back side of the rack. I did that and now get ten around 30c. What is the ambient temp in your houses? Maybe 20.5c in my house is too cold? |
| hodgie |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 14:05:43
Can you put up a picture of your setup with and without the rubs and the stat placement please. |
| konrad1982 |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 09:27:20
I let it run for all night and when I woke up this morning temp rised up to 29.4c. Thermostat temp is set to 35c which makes the mat running constantly (thats what light on the pulse stat indicates). I measure the temp with a normal digital thermometer right on the far side of the rub (it is the hottest spot). The rub is empty now (no substrate at all) so it should warm up even easier.Anything else I could do? Maybe Microclimate heat mats would be better? I have one of them which is only small one but still seems to get a lot warmer. Now I'm scared that all my big effort will get nowhere. Helpppp |
| Evolution Morphs |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 07:48:18
It will get there
I used 17x11 heat mats on 50l rubs and know they will get to temp
Are you going by the temp on the stat or a digital thermometer
The best way I found was with a ir heat gun |
| hodgie |
Posted - 07/07/2012 : 23:47:38
I would think it will need a few hours at least, check again in the morning. |
| konrad1982 |
Posted - 07/07/2012 : 22:20:39
Hi guys. I thought everything will go easy when I finished my rack but unfortunately it is not. Rack is ready ( all sides closed, back insulated, just front open), I got a new Microclimate pulse stat, and a few second hand 17x11" habistat heat mats. I tried all of them but the max temp I can get is 28c. It is summer time and I still can't get 32c. Thermostat probe has been outside of the rack to read even lower temp and heat more. Thermometer probe is in the rub, right above the heat mat. What else can I try to get higher temp? Or maybe I need to wait a lot longer ( it's been on for about an hour now). |
| konrad1982 |
Posted - 03/07/2012 : 18:53:47
Thanks. I've just cut my first 4 boards and will start building it tomorrow if I find any difficulties I will ask for help again. Cheers |
| hodgie |
Posted - 03/07/2012 : 18:35:36
I use the the mats that are twice as long as i hold two tubs on each shelf. I dont use any heat tape as the wood ( i use mdf ) doesn`t get hot anyway. You can use as many mats as you need as long as the wattage doesn`t exceed the pulse stat that you use. You could use some strong tape to stop the mats moving if you want. I`ve used small tacks with mine though. |
