Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok I ended up installing flood light fixtures. My question is, will a ceramic heat emitter be *SAFE* in one of these or will it get to hot and start a fire? The inside fixture is porcelain or ceramic (cant tell which) and the outside of the fixture is metal. (here is a pic of the flood light fixtures, if u need a better photo, let me know)

BTW.. I just threw in 2 flood light bulbs just for looks, I plan on having the heat emitter on the right side hooked up to a Alife 1000 watt electronic thermostat (with probe) so that the cooler side stays about 80. And a basking light on the left side.

thanks

enclosure

I plan on drilling a hole in the back up top for the wires.

There should be a stick somewhere saying what wattage the fixtures are rated for. However, if they're rated for 200 watts, for example, it does not mean they can handle a 150 watt CHE since they get so much hotter than regular bulbs.

I'm guessing the fixtures are designed for halogen lights that also get very hot, but I'd want to see the wattage rating first.
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Current snakes:

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.3 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

3.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

the wattage rating is 150. its all i saw at home depot. and I already ordered a 100 watt CHE

Your better off getting a fixture that is made for a heat emitter than risking it. I would think plastic could melt even if rated over 100 watts more.
I use a 100 watt heat emitter and it runs HOT. I use it in a ceramic fixture made for that and the fixture gets hot tho safe ofcourse.

the flood light fixture isn't plastic. its metal outside and ceramic or porcelain inside.

I have 2 flukers clamp lamps, sizes 8.5 & 5.5 inches. They claim they are for incandescent bulbs & CHE's. But they both are only rated for 150 watts also. Could I take the lamp part off and kinda dangle it from the ceiling? I think it would look kinda low budget though hehehe

I still have that porcelain lampholder. I havent had any time to return it, its rated 660W/250V. (my one has a pull chain but can be returned for a keyless one) But to me, it doesnt seem safe for a CHE to be that close to the wood on the top of the enclosure. With the flood light fixture its atleast down a little further.

I'd rather be OVERLY safe

So what can I use and how do I use it for a 100W CHE?
fixture

I clicked on your link but the fixture pic wasnt available. I myself use both Zoo med and ESU ceramic bulb holders for my heat emitters two are 60 watts one is 100 watts but all my fixtures rated for 200 watt ceramic bulbs.
I got them at www.herpsupplies.com .
I dont know if your fixtures are for ceramic "bulbs".
If your not sure best to just buy one that is better safe than sorry.
All my fixtures lay directly ontop of my tanks screen tops.

Don't use it.

At home depot you should be able to find a standard porcelain light fixture and a box to mount it on. It's what you often see in basements, garages, closets, etc.

I believe I have put 150 watt CHE's in them. I have a 100 running in one right now.
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Current snakes:

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.3 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

3.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

Hi Chris, first let me start by saying I think you're a very kind person, you always take time to answer everyones questions. Kudos to you

Now as for the porcelain fixture you're talking about. Is it like the one I have already? (yes i remember you said to use the keyless ones) If it is what you're talking about, can you possibly send me a link for the other part you mentioned? because I have no clue what one looks like.

I didnt bother using this one because I thought the flood light fixtures looked nicer, but safer is whats important.

Would you say its better/safer to mount it on the top or side?

ty
one of these?

>>Now as for the porcelain fixture you're talking about. Is it like the one I have already? (yes i remember you said to use the keyless ones)

Yes, I forgot you already had one. Having the chain on their is no big deal, you just don't need it.

>>If it is what you're talking about, can you possibly send me a link for the other part you mentioned?

I did a quick search and only came up with this for a decent picture. I have used the plastic ones in my home but for reptile cages I always use a metal one.

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/elect/rough_in/remodel/j_boxes/ceiling4/pvc.htm

The guys and gals at Home Depot will know what type of box you need to mount it to. Again, I recommend the galvanized metal since you're using a CHE.

>>I didnt bother using this one because I thought the flood light fixtures looked nicer, but safer is whats important.

You definitely want the box to help disapate heat.

>>Would you say its better/safer to mount it on the top or side?

For a CHE you should have them mounted vertical as it prevents uneven heat build-up.

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Current snakes:

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.3 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

3.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

Thanks Chris!!!

~hugs~

If you havent definately determined the top and the bottom, i'd flip it over. Reason being, by putting your vents at the top the heat will be produced and go right out those vents (since you know heat rises and all that stuff... yeah dont feel bad most people overlook it.)

I am good friends with an electrican, he said that on a heat emitter as a general rule of thumb, a fixture can handle a CHE 1/2 the wattage of an incandescant light bulb. Therefore if those fixtures are 300 watts (most likely), it can handle a 150 CHE.
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-Chris

The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin

A fool doesn't learn. A smart man learns from his mistakes. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others. Which one are you?

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Current snakes:
0.1 Licorice Stick Black Rat (Lola)
1.0 Black Rat (Frankie)
0.1 Texas Bairdi (Rosa)
0.1 Blue Beauty (Brunhilde)
1.0 Green Tree Python (Monty)

It appears that it is more than satisfactory to use a 150 ceramic heating element in a 250 watt rated fixture. These are commonly available dome fixtures that you can get at most stores and online shops. I have been using the black dome 250 watt rated units for many years with Repticare ceramic 150 and Black Heat 150 ceramics. I have never had any problems with this type of setup nor have I known anyone who has had issues. However, do not use a 250 watt ceramic in a 250 watt rated dome since the 250 watt rating is for type B bulbs and ceramics are not type B bulbs.

You will need a higher rate fixture for the larger 250 watt ceramics or the 10" brooder fixture by Zoo Med which was made for the 250 watt size ceramic.

Winston

Domes? B bulbs? Brooders? I have no idea what these are? clue me in LOL

i cant flip it over because the vents are too close to the bottom, the sand would go right out of them.

as for the flood light fixtures, they are rated for 150. thats all I saw at home depot. I already ordered a 100 watt CHE from LLL, so I guess I need a diff light fixture but I honestly didnt see any rated above 150. What do I do??