Heat Cable wattage question

[lytlesnake]

My Vision 32 qt rack came with the 100 watt Zoo Med Repti Heat Cable, which is 39' long. It's only enough to heat 6 of the 10 shelves. So I'm wondering if I can use a 50 watt cable that's 26' long to heat the remaining 4 shelves. Does anyone know if the 50 watt and 100 watt cables have the same heat dissipation? Or do I need to use another 100 watt cable?

 

[Leopardbreeder]

You will need another 100 watt cable or you can run it on a different thermostat. Heat cable (like heat tape) have their maximum temperature so that 100 watt would max at 110*f (For example) and 50 watt might max at 100*f. So the reading would be different. So the cable might get too hot or too cold pending where you have the sensor. Its kind like 4" and 2" heattape. They run at different wattages and cant be run together. Sorry if thats confusing.

 

[lytlesnake]

Okay thanks. I thought that since the 50 watt cable is shorter it might have the same heat dissipation. I'll order up some more 100 watt. Vision should really include 2 cables like they did with the 15 qt rack.

 

[paulnj]

I'd say another 100watt is the safe way to go, but it appears that the wattage per foot is very similiar in all the heat cable lengths

 

[Leopardbreeder]

hmmm. I would still say you should mix wattages.

 

[paulnj]

Should not and I agree

 

[lytlesnake]

100 watt it is then.

 

[lytlesnake]

Hey one more thing. I'm running these Vision racks on proportional thermostats, but I'm wondering if a rheostat might be better. Since they're open racks, the temperature basically drops over one degree, then the thermostat goes up to 100%, tapers off..... and this repeats endlessly. I use Herpstat NDs, which have numerous different settings for the power output, but none of them seem to make much difference. With my enclosed racks, the thermostat stays at a lower setting pretty much constantly, because the enclosed racks hold heat better. So do you think the open racks would be better with a rheostat that maintains a consistent power output?

 

[paulnj]

Close the rack in with cheap styrofoam from home depot or lowes Problem solved for far cheaper! a 4x8 sheet is around $12

this is what I mean and a chose a close to LA store

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=15348-46086-15348&lpage=none

 

[lytlesnake]

Thanks for the link. You can't really enclose the back of these racks because the heat cable hangs off the back as it travels from shelf to shelf. It's not really a problem. I'll try a rheostat on one and see how it works.

 

[Ccrashca069]

why couldn't you just cut a hole for the cable? Its just an ideal I had. measure where you need too put the heat cables and cut it out and then put the other stuff on.

maybe I am getting too creative in my mind while I am figuring out how too build a rack for my kids lmao