Heat Pad question

[Corny Noob]

Great link.
Here's the catch. When I e-mailed exo-terra about the UTH temps being higher than claimed I also asked about use under plastic etc. They said the melting was not so much the concern that the plastic "traps the heat" vs glass. So maybe someone else knows what that means:shrugs: Does that mean the UTH gets twice as hot as the heat is not disbursed the same?

Well, like with a glass tank. When I set up my plastic tank I made sure it was raised up.
I figure anything constantly pushing down on a heat mat can't possibly be good for it. Especially when the instructions already tell you its not.

 

[Cam5]

Well, like with a glass tank. When I set up my plastic tank I made sure it was raised up.
I figure anything constantly pushing down on a heat mat can't possibly be good for it. Especially when the instructions already tell you its not.

Maybe that is what they meant then...that the plastics are usually flat?
Ours is raised too:shrugs:
Thanks for the helpful posts.

 

[Messorius]

Great link.
Here's the catch. When I e-mailed exo-terra about the UTH temps being higher than claimed I also asked about use under plastic etc. They said the melting was not so much the concern that the plastic "traps the heat" vs glass. So maybe someone else knows what that means:shrugs: Does that mean the UTH gets twice as hot as the heat is not disbursed the same?

Glass conducts, plastic insulates(or is less efficient at conducting, however you want to think about it). In geek from a friend, "glass was about .5 and plastic was about 0.3 or so on the coefficient of thermal transfer."

 

[Cam5]

Glass conducts, plastic insulates(or is less efficient at conducting, however you want to think about it). In geek from a friend, "glass was about .5 and plastic was about 0.3 or so on the coefficient of thermal transfer."

That makes sense...you would think then they would promote the UTH use for all surfaces...
I suppose though they only test on glass to save money

Thank you!

 

[KJUN]

That makes sense...you would think then they would promote the UTH use for all surfaces...
I suppose though they only test on glass to save money

Those pads glue on forever in my experience. "Plastic cages," as in tubs, are usually thought of as disposable. Glass cages are usually kept until broken. Obviously, there are "permanent" PVC and plastic cages, but these are usually heated with better equipment. Anyway, I'm sure they don't waste much time on testing their use on "disposable" cages.

I would also wonder about their use in a sliding rack (pulling the cord in or out) or stacking plastic cages on on top of the other with the heat pads sandwiched between heating from the top and bottom. I just don't know the effect of that??? In a sliding system, you COULD attach them directly to the rack, but that'd just be an expensive way to run a Flexwatt mimic....lol.

I've already commented on the temps (too cool or hot) and control based on the ambient temperature where they are used. That's why I typically avoid them.
KJ