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Wiring Flexwatt

Nagah11979

Nagah11979

corn junkie
This is my first time building my own rack and I have everything I need set up the only thing is that I don't know how to connect the wires to the flexwatt. I don't have metal connectors, big apple herp didn't have any. I went onto a site that showed you how to soder the connection but I have absolutely no expirience in this and the first time i tried it didn't seem to work, the solder kept beading up but wouldn't stick to the copper.

suggestions appreciated
 
Well, I am not a wiring expert by any stretch of the imagination but I have had to rewire my setup a couple times so I'll share what I do know worked for me...

When soldering on the copper strip...make sure that the plastic coating that covers the copper on the flexwatt tape is either scraped off (with a razor knife, I didn't do mine this way but saw another thread where someone did) or melted off 100%...I simply used the end of the soldering gun and ran it back and forth across the area I intended to solder the wire too until I could "feel" I was hitting the copper and not sliding on the plastic coating anymore...there is a technique to this but after one or two times you will know the feel.

Then lay the wife on the copper...hold the soldering gun to it for awhile (the "awhile" is dependant entirely upon the wattage of your soldering gun, I used a 25 watt gun and it took almost 2 minutes per solder joint because of the low heat...I switched to a 75 watt gun and then the time per solder was approx 25-30 seconds) after the solder melted when touched to the wire, not the end of the soldering gun, you are ready to start laying on the solder...I simply floated mine until I could see all the copper wires were covered and then could even see some solder begin wicking up the wire under the insulation...then I stopped and held the gun on the joint and blew on it until you see the solder metal change color...its goes from liquid to hazy metal...then remove the solder gun and it should stay attached to the copper.

When you do it this way, without the clips, you will likely melt the plastic coating on the back of the copper as well...only slightly but be sure to cover the solder joint front and back and around any exposed wire with electrical tape or there is risk of a short. Good luck and post any questions or ask again if I was unclear (I tend to be)

Lee
 
What kind of clips are they? I went to Ace Hardware and they didn't know what I was talking about (trying to describe flat metal connectors that clip on). :headbang:
 
I'll try & find out. I really don't remember what they looked like. I just remember the quest to find something that would work. Mine are covered in tape and I can't see them without taking the tape off. My husband did all the wiring so hopefully he will remember:D
 
We were not able to get anything like those. I just remember we went all over looking for something that would be as good. My husband knows how to wire things so I trusted his judgement about an alternative. Hopefully I can find something out for you.
I know how frustrated I became trying to find just the right connectors.
 
I can save you some cash

I recommend soldering the wire to the strips. It forms a better connection that is more durable and fits behind the back of the racks easier (b/c it lays flat).
 
I'll second that CAV...I was a bit leary about trying the whole soldering bit on mine but I wouldn't go back to the clips if you paid me....the nice thing now is I own a soldering gun and all it takes to rig up a new heattape strip is a length of Flexwatt and I'm off and running.

In fact I am re-wiring a bunch of "left-over" 3" stripes of the Flexwatt for my new "Fattail Gecko Kingdom" tonight :)

Yup, more critters...

Lee
 
I may have to try the soldering thing...It's a pain getting the clips out of the way of the containers.

If you just want to use the clips, you can always order them direct from Calorique. They will tell you the bulk price, but you can buy them in smaller quantities, as well. The also have the insulator covers for the clips and heat tape.
 
Thanks for the help,

I was unsure about sodering because I was afriad of the copper getting too hot making the plastic and the copper separate (weakening the connection). However, I figure I might as well since my dad is back home and he used to work with electronics so he's expirienced in this sort of thing. I can't wait to get this thing done, its my first rack!
 
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