From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Rochester

i'm new at using heating cables.i'm reading they go on at 74 degrees but no word as when they go off. my thermostat reads 88 degrees 10 inches down at the cable. any advice as to this being too warm?

5/14/2011 2:54:38 PM

Mass

i was under the impression that they shut off at 74 degrees and come on below that./

5/14/2011 5:01:47 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

If the cable wires are too close together they can overheat and go well above 74 degrees. I made that mistake last year and the soil temperature was near 100 at cable depth.

5/14/2011 5:23:27 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

make sure the thermostat is not located on the outside edge of the cable loop or it will sense the temp of outside soil and keep calling for heat.

5/14/2011 6:12:14 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

what do you mean your thermostst reads 88deg?

5/14/2011 7:48:19 PM

Muddy Waters

I think he means thermometer & be careful with sulfur & lack of water will yellow leaves,with all that heat!

5/14/2011 9:44:34 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Carl has it right, learned from last year. I laid down a cable for my soon to be N.S. record melon 239 Zuener. Thermostat is smack dab in the middle, cable wires 8 inches apart.

5/14/2011 9:59:18 PM

Rochester

i did mean thermometer ,not thermostat.thanks for the help. next time i'll place the thermostat in the center instead of the outside

5/15/2011 11:27:41 AM

Northville Ny

I've had 1st hand experience w/ a properly routed heating cable going bad & I didn't catch it in time. It's not foolproof. I have one this year that is acting wacky also & I installed a failsafe. I installed a hydro farm heating thermostat & set it at 80 degrees. It works great,& it can even keep a poorly routed heating cable in check.

5/15/2011 6:42:00 PM

East Jordan, MI

That's a good idea Todd. Now that my germ chamber is done for the year, I think I will take that suggestion and go hook my thermostat up to one of my heat cables.

5/15/2011 7:02:53 PM

Williston, VT

Placing the thermostat in the middle of your heating area is a good suggestion. But the thermostat is located at the end of the cable and the installation instructions say not to cross the cables. The typical pattern I've seen used is back and forth over a certain square which will always leave the themostat on the outside of the area. So I guess you're suggesting a circle (or square) starting with the thermostat in the middle? Something for next year (too late for me this year), you would think the manufactures would suggest that in their instructions! Thanks guys.

5/19/2011 2:05:52 PM

Aurora, IL

How deep do you place the cables?

5/23/2011 10:43:42 AM

nOVA sCOTIA

the spacing doesn't have to be exact.Situate your thermostat where you want it and then start burying to approx 6-7in making sure not to let them touch.

5/23/2011 3:30:05 PM