Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
I figured this would be the best place to post a message for input. I am using flexwatt (11 in) panels to heat a rack I built. The rack has 8 tubs so I am wiring the flexwatt in parallel as suggested by beanfarm so that I only need one outlet for all 8 panels (11 in by 1 foot).
My problem is, that some of the panels read 90 degrees while another one reads 79 degrees and another reads 114 degrees. I have made these before and while I can see a difference in 5-8 degrees from top of the rack to bottom of the rack, I haven't seen this variance of temps. Wondering what I did wrong? I am also using an Alife controller for temp setting. Has anyone else noticed this type of fluxuation with this type of parallel wiring? Any thoughts on getting these panels to heat more evenly?
Thanks,
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Ken Roshak
BlackSwampSerpents@toast.net

I had this happen due to a bad connection. I'ld check that first.

Thanks, I'll check them out.
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Ken Roshak
BlackSwampSerpents@toast.net

Additional resistance due to a bad crimp can produce a varied temperature when multiple panels are used.

I wasn't sure if you were measuring inside the boxes or the Flexwatt itself. I assumed Flexwatt.

Different shelf material. For example, 3/4 inch melamine will suck alot of heat away from Flexwatt lying on it as opposed to 1/4 inch plastic.

Also, if you measure a section of Flexwatt that is raised just a tad from the shelf, it may read much higher than a point in contact with the shelf (the shelf drawing energy from the Flexwatt = lower temperature at that spot).

In the end, the only true test is to measure inside the boxes and see if your temp varies much.
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Mark

Thanks Mark. Great info!
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Ken Roshak
BlackSwampSerpents@toast.net

Just curious did you ever get this resolved and what it turned out to be.

I have never had an issue like that.. But normally i only wire a few (2-3) together and plus them into a power strip. From there i plug all of those into a power strip. That way too much power will trip the push fuse built into the power strip and you dont have to worry about the severe degree varience. I always put the thermostat probe in the middle of the rack aswell. Best of luck and hope you get it all figured out.
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