Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I just got a radiant heat panel from Pro-products, and I'm about to install it, but I'm wondering how to orient it.

Should it be flush up against the cieling of the cage? Or should it be lowered to be within a certain distance from the floor?

If you use these please let me know how you installed yours.

Thanks,
- Mark
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IN an 8ft long cage, I installed ,mine 2 ft from the end as I was told, and I used stainless steel bolts and nylon insert nuts to hold mine in place.Using that combo, I guarantee that the panel wont fall down.
I drilled through the cage, made sure I used washers, and tightened it all the way up. Making sure not to tighten it too much so I dont crack it.
The heat eminates down, so I flushed my to the ceiling of the cage.
Again, make sure not to overtighten the screws.
Otherwise, sock it up to the top of the cage.

I'm considering dropping the panel about an inch from the cieling of the cage (so it's not flush mounted). My intent there is to prevent heat loss from conduction through the cieling (I can feel that the top of the cage is warm where the panel is; which makes me suspect that a good portion of the panel's heat output is being lost via conduction where it is touching the top of the cage). I'm not worried about my burm getting stuck in a one inch space either (he's almost twelve feet and couldn't fit even if he wanted to!).

Another thing I'm considering, possibly more so than my first idea, is to install a single layer of double sided foil insulation between the panel and the cieling. That way the panel can remain flush mounted while also having it's output directed downwards better.

On a side note... how far from your burm is your panel mounted? I mean, from the panel to the snake is it six inches?, eight?, twelve? Mounting it on the cieling of his Vision cage just seems far away. Well, I guess that doesn't matter as long as it warms him, right?.

Thanks,
- Mark

>>IN an 8ft long cage, I installed ,mine 2 ft from the end as I was told, and I used stainless steel bolts and nylon insert nuts to hold mine in place.Using that combo, I guarantee that the panel wont fall down.
>>I drilled through the cage, made sure I used washers, and tightened it all the way up. Making sure not to tighten it too much so I dont crack it.
>>The heat eminates down, so I flushed my to the ceiling of the cage.
>>Again, make sure not to overtighten the screws.
>>Otherwise, sock it up to the top of the cage.
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----------------------------------------------
My personal website: www.antegy.com
----------------------------------------------
My Kingsnake.com Picture Galleries

- 1.0.0 Labyrinth Burmese Python Gallery
- 0.1.0 Suriname Boa Gallery
- 0.1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake Gallery
- 1.0.0 Pueblan Milksnake Gallery
- 0.1.0 Trinket Ratsnake Gallery
----------------------------------------------
My photography on photo.net
----------------------------------------------
Me on myspace.com

Hey Mark!

I mounted my panel the exact way you just mentioned. I used a piece of 1x1 the same width as the side of the panel with the mounting holes. This way when snug, the panel will not wobble. I also used the double silver sided bubble wrap insulation on the entire ceiling to help hold in and or refelct heat. My panel is mounted about 20-22 inches from the snake. I have a 22-24 inch high cage. I don't know really know if it's effective or not. The temps in my cage are perfect but my house is drying out the cage. I have humidity issues right now and Moses still won't eat. I don't think it's the heat panel though. It's also mounted approximately at the 1/4 mark of the ceiling toward one side. Not all the way against one side, but close. Good luck!
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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

1.0.0 Burm, Moses
0.0.2 Ball, Chico & Chewy (rescue, many scars)
0.2.0 Cats, Merideth & Hannah
1.0.0 Black Chow, Pivo (RIP Oct 23)
1.0.0 Blue Chow Puppy, Bruno (Born Oct 23)
1.4.0 Rats
0.2.0 Humans (a little obnoxious though)

Everyone that I know has them against the top of the cage or "flush" as you guys have been saying. I dont think there would be any problem mounting it away from the top just make sure that your burm cant his head in there, or you could be buying another heat panel very soon here. As for the installation idea, sounds good. Just make sure it wont have any ill effects on your snake, other than that I see no flaws in your plan. Burmboy, I have never heard that you must install the panel 2 ft from the end of the cage, a breeder that I know has his touching the ends of the cages he has them in (if not touching then really close). Do you know if there is any risk in doing it this way?
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1.1 Albino Burmese
0.1 Normal Burmese
1.0 Veild Chameleon
Waiting for more reptiles of any kind

I got the idea of mounting two feet from the end, from Pro Products.I was told this buy one of their reps at a show, and by Bob during a phone conversation. Makes sense in 8ft cages.
Might not be practical in a 6ft.But then, you'd use a smaller panel. Gives a little more of a hot area, and adds a bit more heat to the cool side.
I dont know about mounting off the ceiling.You would have to use something to brace the corners. while adding strength.
I doubt if it will hurt the panel.
However...my burms can get the tip of the tail in odd places.
I dont know if that could be a problem. But it seems to me, the tail end of my burms cause me more grief than the head.
Might be an issue if they can wrap it inside a hanging corner.
As far as heat loss. The RHP heats the air. Of course there is conductive lose. The frame for example.
I was told by Bob, that as I change all my heating over to RHPs,
the temps in the herp room itself will fall due to the heat remaining in the cages, and being more efficient. I'm not so sure that's the case with me yet. But we shall soon see.
If it is the case...conductive heat is minimal.
Also...I use the 160 watt panels...lack of heat is not an issue.
Although, I am awaiting a new Monster Cage, and I have a 120 watt RHP waiting for it.
I'll let you know how I do with the 120.I dont won any vision cages, but I do understand there is a greater heat loss with them.
My panel is about 17" above my snakes, as my cage height is 18"