Dimmer for heat cords - any feedback?

[ari]

Hi all

Just curious as to whether anyone else is using a dimmer to control their heat cords temps at all?

Cheers

[peterescue]

yes, i do.

[TrueBlue]

i use them on water bed heaters as well.

[ari]

Cheers Guys

Have you found that they keep the temps pretty well?

[TrueBlue]

they only let so many volts thru depending on where it is set so will keep a constant temp on the cord/pad.

[ari]

Cheers Trueblue

What about putting 3-4 seperate 15W heat cords & plugging them into a 3-4 plug power board & then plugging the power board into a dimmer unit & then from the dimmer unit a lead into a normal wall power point? Does that make any sense - confusing myself.

[Dragon2]

It makes perfect sense. It is how I have my 25w chords, except that instead of a dimmer I have them plugged into a timer that turns them off for half an hour every four hours. This probably doesn't do much, but it gives me the peace of mind to believe they are not going to overheat and burn the place down.

[Glimmerman]

Yes it does. I have that exact system on my heat mats. That's only 60w total for your cords. DImmers switchs are 600+W. Do you have access to a temp gun? Hit each cord to see if the temp is uniform across all cords and take it from there.

[Glimmerman]

It is how I have my 25w chords, except that instead of a dimmer I have them plugged into a timer that turns them off for half an hour every four hours

I just noticed you live in Bundy... How does this go in Summer?
I wouldn't be concerned about it burning your house down, as a don't think the 25w cords will ever produce enough heat for that to happen. (100w ceramic falling onto curtains or carpet, maybe) I would be more concerned about over heating you reptiles.
Heat mats / Cords with a 1/2 hour cool down every 4 hrs will not be enough if the tub has hit 40 degrees {in summer}. Just keep this in mind this summer.
(I don't know your set up, just making a generalised suggestion) Hope this helps :wink:

[ari]

Originally Posted by Glimmerman

Yes it does. I have that exact system on my heat mats. That's only 60w total for your cords. DImmers switchs are 600+W. Do you have access to a temp gun? Hit each cord to see if the temp is uniform across all cords and take it from there.

Hi Glimmerman

If all dimmer switches are 600T W & I have 4 x 15W heat cords plugged into a power board (total heat cord wattage is 60W) does this mean that I would need to really adjust the dimmer right down to low or just a slight adjustment?

Sorry guys I am just trying to understand in my head how this all works so I dont have problems first adjusting it. Is there an electrician in the house?

Cheers

[Magpie]

600W dimmer just means that you can run up to 600W of heating or lighting off it.
Glimmer is just saying that 4 heat cords will not over load it.
I run mine through a dimming thermostat personally, but a dimmer will work fine, especially as your room is climate controlled.

[Glimmerman]

Spot on Mags. I have a pulse thermostat connected to the dimmer, just in case the thermostat actually *******'s itself.

Ari: Hope this doesn't confuse things more.....{sequence from your wall socket -> cord}

Wall socket -> Dimmer Switch -> Pulse Theromstat -> Power board -> 4 x 25w Heat Cords

Take the thermostat out of the equation until you have the correct setting via the dimmer. (the dimmer actually regulates the amount of current flow, so your heat cords will still heat up just takes longer and will not get to its max potential).

Once you have your cords set at approx 30 degrees unplug your power pack and place the thermostat back in. (optional) May choose to not have one

Now if your thermostat should fail, your cords will still be set at 30 degrees due to dimmer.

I have two settings marked on my dimmer. 30 degress & 20 degrees. When it comes to cool down I just reduce the switch to suit.

It's really simple once you see the concept behind it.

I hope this helped you out.

[ari]

Cheers Glimmerman & Magpie

Now I get you. Perfect I was just curious about the workings.

You are legends.

Cheers

[ponybug]

i have 4 heat cords running the same way through a dimmer and power board, they work great, i found that the temps only varyed about 1 or 2 degs,

i also live further up north then dragon2 does and during summer i turn all heating off as my day time temps can get up to 35 to 40 on real hot days, but most days average about 32 degs, i find if i leave my heat on it increases the room temp, i have to run an airconditioner to cool my incubater room down so it doesn't over heat the eggs,
i also only have my mercrey bulbs on for 4 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the afternoon as it gets to hot around lunch time,

cheers,
steve.........

[zulu]

I got some dimmers this week from the herp shop,they are actually fan speed controllers and are manual operation and work well with simplicity.Have previously been using the Klik on KliK off commercial ones that have a memory and remote control,they are highly sophisticated,relatively inexpensive and work well with lights and heat mats. The problem with them is that if there is a black out you have to be there to switch them back on with the remote so the herp shops simpler type is the go,ive had three days of blackouts the last two months