You can put many more than 3 shelves per dimmer, since it handles up to 600w and the 3" heat tape is something like 8 or 10w per foot. I did 3 shelves per dimmer, because heat rises and if all were on the same dimmer, you'd have cooler bottom shelves than top shelves. I can control the top 3 and bottom 3 independently this way.

On the back of your dimmer, you'll have two or three wires coming out. If you have three, tape up the green one (ground) and use the other two to attach to your cord. When you wire the heat tapes together, you can put both wires into one clip; it's wide enough. Here's a pic of how mine are wired.

I have to rewire another of my racks tomorrow, so I'll try to take a pic for you.

-----
Rob Jenkins
http://herpcam.com

[ Hide Replies ]

• My Rack - How I built it with Instructions and Pics - Rob Jenkins, Sat May 17 19:49:35 2003
• WOW! what a great post... - azteclizard, Sat May 17 19:57:50 2003
• really really good post!!!!, i put it under my favorites....n/p - Josh06, Sat May 17 20:04:28 2003
• Great Post Rob! Very Well done! n/p - Leo Lover, Sat May 17 22:03:41 2003
• Heat tape question - jeffmedley, Sat May 17 22:05:39 2003
• RE: Heat tape question - Rob Jenkins, Sat May 17 23:23:54 2003
• Where does the wire come from? - StarGecko, Thu Oct 16 14:00:47 2003
• RE: My Rack - How I built it with Instructions and Pics - goldfinger, Tue May 27 20:41:53 2003