Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ah yes, one of the prouder moments of my life. lol

I purchased a slide style dimmer switch from wal-mart, in hopes of rigging it to some flexwatt, like I've heard others do. Problem is that I'm completely incompetint with electrical stuff. The dimmer has 2 black wires and a green wire running out the back of the dimmer. The instructions had a diagram of how to rig it up, but I think the picture just confused me more. Brilliant, aren't it? Do I solder the black wires to the flexwatt? Maybe I should just suck it up and buy another big apple thermostat Thanks for any help, I'm sure you regulars get sick of these questions!

Carole
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"Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the sky on laugher-silvered wings...
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence"

That's OK. You put it inline with one of the wires going to the Flexwatt. The green wire would go to a metal ground normally for added safety (to ground the metal faceplate so you don't get shocked in the unbelievably rare instance when an internal conductor comes loose and touches the faceplate).

If you don't feel comfortable then don't do it. Lowes or Home Depot has a plug-in style tabletop dimmer for around $13 or so. And ZooMed or ESU.. one of 'em.. has a dimmer wired for you aka "rheostat" (which is wrong terminology but oh well). What are you trying to control.. lights or heat pads?
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Mark G

Assorted rosy boas, some annulata. That's it.

Thank you for the reply. I can only imagine how redundant these questions must get!

I have some flexiwatt heat tape I was thinking of wiring to it. I'm familiar with soldering flexiwatt/electric cords...I was just confused as what needed to go where.

Thanks again!

Carole
-----
"Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the sky on laugher-silvered wings...
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence"