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Repti Heat cable question?

mcifaldi

mcifaldi

New member
Has any one used Repti heat cable? I wired my rack with today 25w 14 3/4 feet and the i placed the temp probe next to the heat cable with some tape to see what its going to heat up to it heated up to 89 degree's and then started to cool off to 84.5 is it suppose to heat up and cool down then heat up again? I'm not sure if I want to use this on my rack temps wont be consistant. please advise..
 

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Could there have been an air temp change in the room that might have caused the change? Have you hooked it up to a thermostat and tested how well it holds heat using a control device?

I just ordered some to give it a try on a rack I'm building; I hope there isn't a problem with it.
 
Its probably because of the room temperature.

in my bedroom, if I stay in there for an hour or two the temperature usually rises around 3-4 degrees, and another factor is whether my door is open or not.

so its probably not the cable, its just the room temperature
 
I use it on 2 of my racks and have never had a problem with it. Although mine reaches higher temps so I have it on a dimmer. Mine is the next higher wattage. ( 50 watt and 23'ft long)

I routered a groove into each shelf for it, placed the heat rope in place then put down aluminum tape over top of it to secure it. The aluminum tape also helps to counteract any "breezes" in the room. All it takes to cool it a bit is a slight breeze. But you don't nessecarily get that when you have a tank/container on top of it :)

The only issue I have with this particular heat rope is the size. Although the box says it's 23' long, the actual heating part is not. From the plug portion, it's about 2ft or more before you get to the part that warms up. So, for anyone buying it, keep in mind that the actual working part of the rope is shorter than the length specified on the box.

Edit to add: I just noticed you used a probe to test the temps. The probe can easily move, even just a touch, and it would change your temp reading. Or you walking by, creates a draft on the probe....etc. If you have one, or can borrow one, test it with an infared thermometer :)
 
I exclusively use the heat cable for my racks. I love the stuff. I router a groove in the shelving and then lay the heat cable in it. I put the thermostat probe IN the cage so it measures the temperature where the snake is and not what is going on outside with the cable. I've been using it for 2 years and have had no problems.

FYI: The official Zoo Med quote is that the first 6 feet is 'dead' and doesn't work so keep that in mind when designing a rack.
 
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