Hi:
I once posted a pic on Ball python Photo section. It was of my flex watt. One guy wrote me and asked about how I did it.
Here is the link to that thread: gallery.pethobbyist.com/index.pl?photo=91399
I love using flex watt and have gotten great @ soldering it.
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Here is the question that the guy on the photo site asked me:
"is it hard to connect i am thinkin bout breeding ball pythons so i am gonna build a rack so i need to figure out how 2 do it can u try to exsplain it? thanks,clint"
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Here is the answer I gave: "dear Clint:"
Hi: I will gladly do so. I believe in public service and I love sharing useful info. Many people before me have shared great info with me. To repay their generosity, I always help out where ever I can. I would only talk about things I know. And I know how to do a good soldering job.
So without further ado:
Items needed: 1. $5 dimmer switch from Lowes or Home Base.
2. $.67 wal-mart extension cord (the white wire shown in the picture)
3. flexwatt.
So, cut off the female end of the Wal-mart generic extension cord. Strip the wire to expose the metal (you know how to strip wire, right?).
Now use a clamp and clip the exposed wire to the end of the flex watt to hold the wire in place. I just use a hemostat and clip the exposed wire to the metal part of the flex watt. Make sure you clamp both the wire and the flexwatt together to allow a hands-free hold. During the soldering, the wire and flexwatt should be in place and not need any touching. You also Do NOT need to worry about the plastic cover on the flex watt. It will melt as you go along. (however, do make sure you clamp to the correct side of the flex watt--the metal should be the shining side)
Heat up the soldering fun and heat the exposed wire. Now melt the solder over it and the solder will flow down onto the wire and the flex watt. It will make a beuatiful job.
[my old way was having my wife hold the wire, but that never worked well because she was holding the cool part of the wire and couldn't get good contact with the flex watt. The use of the clamp allows an hands free exact hold and no worries about burnt hands]
Now connect the dimmer switch to the white wire and voila! You got a great working flexwatt. I never use overhead lamp anymore!
Here is a variation: instead of connecting a dimmer to each flex watt, I connect a dimmer to one extention cord that has a female end with three outlets. The wal-mart extension cords have three outlets on the female end. If you connect a dimmer to that extension cord, you then are able to control three outlets with a single dimmer. You can plug a light to it, and still have room to plug two flexwatts. This is just a variation that I have found to be useful. You can also use this dimmer extension cord for other purposes because the female end is just a regular plug outlet that you can plug any appliances into.
Hope that was clear. Pleaes don't hesitate to ask me to clarify any or all parts of the message.
cheers. Please have a great FlexWatt Day!
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Longtang. I like snakes and rats.
