I use flexwatt heat tape for my rack systems and this is what works best for me:



Use a rheostat dimmer, the kind you pick up at Lowes or Home Depot. I use the one that replaces any standard light switch, just make sure it is rated for at least 600 watts. I couple it with a normal electric outlet and put them both into a dual electric box (new construction plastic). I hook up an extension cord to the rheostat. That way you can plug your UTH into the outlet that is hooked up to the rheostat. To hook up the extension cord, simply cut off the end that has the multi-plug outlet, strip the wires, run them into the plastic electrical box and hook them to the rheostat. Then hook the rheostat into the dual outlet, place a cover on it, put on the rheostat knob, and you have a nice hook up that allows you to easily replace any UTH with flexwatt, heat lamp etc...



Here is a pic of one with just a normal rheostat setup...





And here is one with the slider/dimmer....





And a oblique shot...





If your not sure about the wiring, it is pretty straight forward and instructions are enclosed. You can also ask anyone at the hardware store about wiring.

If you use a standard 2 prong extension cord, then you wont have a green wire ground to hook up, only a black and white wire. If you use a heavy guage 3 prong extension cord you will have 3 wires to hook up. A green, white, and black. Once you do one, it is easy to remember. Just like hooking up a normal light switch!



If you use this method, be sure and secure the power supply cord so it does not pull out of the electrical box! This will cause a fire for sure, as you will have a hot wire exposed!! Notice I have cable safety hooks at the bottom of each electrical box keeping the cables from accidentally being pulled out, and I have the cables tied in knots inside the boxes as well for added security. One cannot be too safe when dealing with electricity!!!



I have 2 sets of flexwatt hooked up to each rheostat, and could probably safely hook a couple more to it. As long as you dont exceed the wattage of the dimmer/rheostat, you should be safe.

Brian



>>What kind of thermostat would you get and how do you hook it up? (Can you tell I am electrically challenged?) Could you hook up more than one UTH to one thermostat?

>>

>>Thanks,

>>Joanna




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RATS

1.0 Corn snake "Warpath" (KY locale)

0.0.1 Corn snake (KY locale)

1.0 Black rat snake "Havok" (KY locale)

1.1 Black rat snakes "Reaper and Mystique" (MO locale)

1.0 Albino Black rat snake "Malakai" (Dwight Good stock)

1.0 Everglades rat snake "Deadpool" (Dwight Good stock)

0.1 Greenish rat snake "Rogue" (Dwight Good stock)

1.0 Yellow rat snake "Wolverine" (Dwight Good stock)

1.0 Grey rat snake "Punisher" (White oak phase)(Dwight Good stock)



RACERS

1.0 Eastern Yellow Belly racer "Nightcrawler" (MO locale)



KINGS

1.1 California king snake "Bandit and Moonstar" (Coastal phase)

1.0 Prairie king snake "Bishop" (KY locale)

0.0.1 Prairie king snake (KY locale)

0.1 Black king snake "Domino" (KY locale)

1.0 Desert Kingsnake "Gambit"

0.1 Florida Kingsnake "Shard"



MILKS

0.0.1 Eastern/red Milk intergrade "Cable" (KY locale)

0.0.1 Eastern/Red Milk intergrade "Omega Red" (KY locale)

0.0.1 Eastern Milk snake (KY locale)



BULLS/GOPHERS/PINES

0.1 Sonoran Gopher "Husk"



Good luck and Happy Herping

Brian

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