Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just received a pre-wired, brand new rack...(the manufacturer does not matter...since I am satisfied with the rack but don't want my one problem to possibly reflect poorly on them).

Anyways, I set everything up yesterday the same way I always do with any rack. The probe is taped directly to the heat tape, heat tape is 11" running down the back rack. Everything "appears" correct... but I just can't get the back of the tubs to reach above 80 degrees for the life of me.

It's to the point that I've set my thermostat at 98 degrees and still no luck. I have a digital IR temp sensor and the tape itself is reading at 85 degrees.

The thermostat is functioning properly...I tested it on another rack and everything was kosher.

So... any ideas? Anyone? The only thing I can think of is that the heat tape is not wired properly. I'm thinking that I possibly have a loose connection somewhere (whether this happened at the manufacturer's shop, in shipping or during setup doesn't matter). The tape is obviously heating to some extent but not fully. Has anyone ran into this before. Am I answering my own question with the loose connection thing?

Thanks ahead of time, everyone.

Brandon

Brandon, I think you miuht have answered your own question in assuming that it is a loose connection with the heat tape. Other than that, I can't think of anything else that may be wrong.
Also, as for you taking the blame away from the manufacturer, you received a product that is a fire hazard, plain and simple. Loose connections are unsafe. I would reconsider where your blame should lie, and get in touch with them, let them know their product is not safe and tell them in no uncedrtain terms that they need to do something about it.
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www.strictlyballs.ca

I am not going to blame anyone for a loose connection for a number of reasons:

1) The connection could have been fine when he set it up but came loose during shipping or when I set up the rack. (It COULD be my fault too for all I know)

2) Anything that can be put together or tightened can also be taken apart or become loose.

3) All in all I am satisfied with the rack. For the quality, size and price I paid I couldn't find a better deal. Some people don't provide heat in their racks or they require the buyer to set it up themselves. I have a fair amount of experience with Flex Watt so it's no big deal for me to check it out. I just didn't want to tear everything apart if someone had a different idea.

Thanks, though, for the quick response. I'm off to do some (re)wiring. I'll post my results later after I have everything put back together and the rack has a chance to heat up.

I dont understand why You have a problem telling all on the forum who the manufactor is if the product is damaged or not up to snuff than you as the consumer who has spent a small or large sum of capitail have the right to complain, I myself use VISION RACKS and I dont have aproblem saying that I love their products I also wouldnt have a problem saying that I didnt like their product if that were the case which it is not , this is the only way the manufactors of these rack sytems will stay honest and keep producing top notch products, good luck I would like to know who its .

I ask that you re-read the thread. I didn't want to lay blame for something that may not be the manufacturer's fault. The rack itself is incredible ... especially for the price I paid. As far as the "loose connection" goes it turned out that this wasn't the case. It was MY fault for placing the probe in the wrong place. I had never dealt with back heat before and assumed the probe would be placed in a similar manner as belly heat.

If it HAD been a loose connection... I still wouldn't have blamed anyone simply because a connection can come loose especially when it is being shipped from one truck to another half way across the country. I could also have been to blame if this had been the problem... I may have bumped or jarred the connection during construction of the rack. There was no way to tell who would have been to blame. In the end, though, it turned out it WAS my fault.. so jumping the gun would have damaged both the seller's reputation and mine... just not worth it to me.

So... having said all of that, I bought the rack from Steve at Repti-Racks and couldn't be more pleased. He was always prompt with replies to any questions/concerns I had and the rack quality is great... especially for the price. I've seen (and owned) other racks that cost more that were of lesser quality, had fewer slots, or came with either no tubs or smaller tubs. The rack's tubs have an ultra tight tolerance and it comes with heat tape pre-installed. I am extremely pleased with both the quality of rack I received and the level of customer care Steve provided.

Than good for you this excatly what I was talking about if the manufactor lives up to their name give them plenty of free advertisment if they dont than you should do the opposite thats why I always praise vision rack because I love their products and recommend them to everyone,good luck with your balls , MAN I love this hobby.

Probably a stupid question - but have you tried running the tape without the thermostat to see if it will heat up more? Also is the whole thing running cool or just a single section (I'm assuming you have more than one 11" section?)?
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Tosha
JET Pythons

Brandon
1. Please read all instructions that came with rack
2. Make sure you read the part that says DO NOT ATTACH PROBE DIRECTLY TO HEAT TAPE
Most racks that utilize back heat require the probe be attached an inch or two away from the heat tape. let us know if this helps

Make sure you read the part that says DO NOT ATTACH PROBE DIRECTLY TO HEAT TAPE

I'll give this a try.

Most racks that utilize back heat require the probe be attached an inch or two away from the heat tape.

This I did not know. I've only had bottom heat on any of my racks in the past and always attached it to the tape. It worked well for me. I wasn't aware that it would function that much differently for back heat. I'll give this a try before I try to whip out my "Master Electrician Wanna-be" certificate.

Thanks. I'll post later tonight how everything works out.