Hello HBT!
Years ago I kept reptiles for a research project and one of the tasks when keeping cool blooded animals is keeping their habitat warm. This is often done with spectrum-specific lighting and sometimes [big idea-lightbulb] heat tape.
I was reminded of the heat tape when I saw fermentation wraps for sale at over $40 at my local homebrew store.
Forget about it.
I'm going to show you how to build your own fermentation heat wrap and provide updated resource links to obtain the materials. I just recently built mine for $13 but you can get away with spending a bit less or a bit more if you do not have a herp supply store and must have something shipped to you.
*** DISCLAIMER ***
FIRE RISK! You are manufacturing your own product. While this is simple to construct, please pay attention to details, take your time, and make sure you plug the device into a thermostat that is powered by a GFCI unit. Keep the area in use clean, dry, and well maintained. You are responsible for your own wiring!!!
*******************
Step 1 - Materials
- Pliers or wire crimpers
- Scissors (X-Acto Knife Preferred, or razor blade)
- Electrical Tape
- Heat Tape
- Lamp Cord with piercing clips (buy from the same source as the heat tape)
- Thermostat such as the STC-1000 (or light dimmer: not recommended but necessary if you do not have a thermostat. You will have your own section at the end discussing this.)
Optional
-Insulating pads
-Aluminum tape
The heat tape comes in rolls of 100 feet at the source, you buy at 1 foot from the retailer UNCUT (a 5 foot purchase will typically be shipped as one big 5 foot heat tape). The "name brand" heat tape is sold at 11.5 inches so you'll need at least 1 foot per carboy to obtain similar results. HOWEVER, it is suggested that you only wrap up to 50% of your carboy (DO NOT WRAP THE WHOLE CARBOY!). A typical 5-6 gallon carboy is about 36" around. This means that you can purchase 3 feet of tape, cut this in half and you'll make two extra efficient 18" heat tape wraps. 18" is useful if you're trying to ferment an ale in cold conditions such as winter, your garage, a lager chamber etc.
Working list of Suppliers:
Big Apple Pet Supply - The photos shown in this tutorial used materials obtain from this source.
Reptile Basics
I would call your local pet store (especially reptile specialty stores) and ask if they carry heat tape. Stores that do often also carry the cord with piercing clips.
Step 2 - Construct!
Measure the length of tape that you'd like and cut through the metal edge and BETWEEN the black heating strips through the clear plastic. DO NOT CUT INTO THE BLACK HEAT STRIP. IF YOU DO, YOU MUST PATCH THIS AREA WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE.
Ready your lamp cord with the preinstalled clamps that will pierce into the tape's metal element, and crimp! Crimp into the METAL SIDE STRIP not the black heat strips.
NOTE: It is possible to use a regular lamp's cord but somehow you must make a connections with the metal between the plastic covering. I'm interested in learning about your alternative ideas...
Step 3 - Insulation
You will need to insulate the lamp that connects directly with the tape. This is a live connection and unless you want an unpleasant end to your brewing career, you need to insulate with AT LEAST electrical tape. I used the pads from Big Apple Pet Supply but make sure you buy 2 sets for each heat tape you construct as they are not cut large enough for my safety standards...
Even though there is a great seal between the pads, I will use electrical tape to seal the edges against moisture. JUST IN CASE.
Tape this sucker with electrical tape to your carboy, plug it into your heat terminal of your STC-1000 and you're in business!
Finally use electrical tape to insulate the opposite side of the metal strip where the cord is not attached. [Photo here]
Attach your thermostat probe on the OPPOSITE side of the carboy with electrical tape. This means on the other side of the carboy where there is no heat tape. I have tested temperatures with a submersible probe and even using a fancy $30 Stainless Steel prob housing to take center-of-the-wort temperatures and all the readings are the same +/- 1 degree.
I hope this tutorial was useful. I will be updating this article as I dig deeper for better deals on tape and supplies. I appreciate any comment and critiques and look to better this article through user input.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
-Cannman
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