Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.

Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You
https://www.crepnw.com/
Click here to visit Classifieds

insulating flexwatt connections

johnthebaptist Dec 28, 2010 11:04 AM

I have never wired flexwatt but i am considering heating a 3 shelf rack with 4" x 12" strips. I would like to wire the three in parallel so i only have one plug in. Is this safe? My main question is insulating the connections. ive seen the plastic clips that come from retailers. Is it possible to run two cords through one plastic insulating clip? (as i would need to for the parallel connection). I have seen people who just insulate with a heavy application of electrical tape. Is this safe? advisable? the Clip sets are a little expensive for what they are. If they are a necessity it is no big deal buying them. Also i have seen people solder. My soldering is a nightmare and out of the question. Reptilebasics who ive seen has the cheapest prices claims that you need a special crimping tool. I have seen people use vice grips. Thanks in advance for any advice or warnings you have for a new flexwatt user!

Replies (3)

gregspencer Dec 28, 2010 06:37 PM

Go to the Bean Farm. They have wiring diagrams for you. You can also purchase the material pre-wired from various vendors. It works best if the shelf is routed for it to lay down into help the airflow and no lip exposed to catch on the tubs.

Best of luck with it!

Sonya Dec 29, 2010 08:22 PM

>>I have never wired flexwatt but i am considering heating a 3 shelf rack with 4" x 12" strips. I would like to wire the three in parallel so i only have one plug in. Is this safe? My main question is insulating the connections. ive seen the plastic clips that come from retailers. Is it possible to run two cords through one plastic insulating clip? (as i would need to for the parallel connection). I have seen people who just insulate with a heavy application of electrical tape. Is this safe? advisable? the Clip sets are a little expensive for what they are. If they are a necessity it is no big deal buying them. Also i have seen people solder. My soldering is a nightmare and out of the question. Reptilebasics who ive seen has the cheapest prices claims that you need a special crimping tool. I have seen people use vice grips. Thanks in advance for any advice or warnings you have for a new flexwatt user!

Couple things I have found with setting up flexwatt is that I really grind down the crimp clamps onto the flexwatt to get a good solid connection....then lightly cover it, plug it in and be sure it heats up well. Then I use the plastic sets and fill it with silicone sealer.
-----
Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

stevenorndorff Dec 30, 2010 09:50 PM

Yes you can run them parrallel. I always solder the connections and then cover them with liquid electrical tape

Site Tools