I've been thinking a lot about heat panels lately and what other options are out there that I've never tried. I currently use Pro-products and
don't necessarily have a problem with them but I know there are others. So please post any opinions/experiences...
                        
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Radient Heat Panels?
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 Jeff Godbold |
Radient Heat Panels? |
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Posts: 321 (04/24/08 15:18:05)
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Which heat panel do you use? (Result) |
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Chris Dunlap |
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Posts: 712 (04/24/08 15:54:30)
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I voted "other" because I use Helix Heat Panels.
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Jeff Godbold |
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Posts: 322 (04/24/08 16:03:13)
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Chris,
I wasn't aware that helix made heat panels...do you have a url? |
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Shiloh Hawkesworth |
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Posts: 1611 (04/24/08 16:18:44)
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I voted Desert Rays Radiant Heat panels...
I have been using them for a few years now and they work great... And I a pretty sure they are the best bang for the buck... They are a hell of a lot cheaper then the others... The thing that convinced me they were working like they were supposed to be was when I put them to the test by using a thermal imaging camera...
Shiloh Hawkesworth
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MegF42 |
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Posts: 1846 (04/24/08 17:35:03)
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Love my Desert Rays....thanks Shiloh. All aroboreal cages have those in it now
5.5~Cornsnakes
3.4.1~Green Tree Pythons 2.1.2~Amazon tree boas 1.0~California Kingsnake Assorted: Horses, dogs, and cats www.Franclycac.com |
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TheSerpenteer |
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Posts: 122 (04/24/08 17:40:35)
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I used to use the Helix heat panels. I bought them quite a while ago (like 8 years or so), they have actually been around a while. I stopped using them
because their design has a lip all the way around that leave a decent gap between the panel and the ceiling of the cage. The snakes absolutely would not stay
out of that gap (not just chondros) and they would even squeeze up in it and perch there.
Brian Suter
great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people |
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 HecTorBar305 |
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Posts: 18 (04/24/08 18:37:37) |
I use pro-product and no complaint so far!!!
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Andrew A1 |
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Posts: 944 (04/24/08 18:56:42)
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Got 16 Pro Products heat panels and narry a complaint.
Andrew |
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aaron florian |
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Posts: 2631 (04/25/08 06:20:08)
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I use Pro Products. Wonderful product, but too damn expensive (when you're buying 20 of em).... Might look into that Desert Rays one again. Is it more than
just heat tape?
New caging for me this year, trying to figure out what I'm gonna do. 
===============================================================
230 (c)(1) ... it's what's for breakfast |
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MarlboroMan |
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Posts: 94 (04/25/08 07:39:06)
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H1ey Shiloh - How do you mount the Desert Rays panels? I've read on some forums that are using duct tape. Last thing I want to do is put anything adhesive
in the enclosure. I had a bad experiece before with a neo getting caught on an unbelievably small piece of exposed double sided tape once.
Thanks, Jon Jon Deason
"Did you just say I am a reverberating homo?" - John Romano
Last Edited By: MarlboroMan
04/25/08 10:11:05.
Edited 1 times.
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Jeff Godbold |
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Posts: 323 (04/25/08 07:46:48)
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I'm thinking about trying out the desert rays heat panel as well...
Aaron-Cages huh? I use Repti-racks and they work great. I'll eventually use them for my entire collection. |
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Sony Raju |
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Posts: 971 (04/25/08 08:41:28)
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ive used pro products heat panels for a little over 8 yrs now and havent had any problems. sure theyre expensive, but i think you always get what you pay
for........
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Shiloh Hawkesworth |
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Posts: 1614 (04/25/08 12:23:51)
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I mount mine with screws and a washer on all 4 corners... Out of the 80 or so that I have, all work perfect...
Shiloh Hawkesworth
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greg stephens2 |
Re | |||
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Posts: 1024 (04/25/08 16:33:04)
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I have SSHC/Enerjoy panels, but only in my adult female cages.
If you do a little web surfing these panels can be bought direct from the manufacturer. I have also designed acrylics that have eliminated the need to use RHP's. I am currently planning to switch out all my cages to the new design possibly this year. Greg
Greg Stephens
gstephens_1@clearviewcatv.net I lost JB's watch!!!!! I have big steel pole envy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was told ,"By the way.........plastic is plastic - I've been in the cancer field for 20+ years now and I've never had a patient get cancer from burning plastic!" I had to ask my self what was this guy thinking!! 
Last Edited By: greg stephens2
04/25/08 16:36:03.
Edited 2 times.
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billzuk1 |
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Posts: 288 (04/27/08 17:38:56)
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Pro-products all the way.Don't always judge something by the cost.They are expensive for a reason.Helix dosen't make there panels they are manufactured
through someone else.They are more like a modified hot plate.I would stay away from them.
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Shiloh Hawkesworth |
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Posts: 1619 (04/27/08 18:15:02)
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billzuk1 wrote: So they are better because they are expensive? Or are you saying you get what you pay for? The thing that gets me is, I bought these cheap Big Apple Desert Rays panels for 9x9x9 acrylics and per a suggestion by my wife I decided to try them as a
heat panel mounted to the ceiling and as it turns out they work just as good as the expensive panels... I have done thermal testing on numerous thermostats as
well as heat panels and the cheap Desert Rays panels performed flawlessly on cages up to 24x32 (Desert Rays has a few sizes)... I'm not suggesting anyone
sell off their expensive panels and switch, but maybe buy one of the cheap $25 panels and give it a shot and see for yourself...
It's hard to argue with a thermal image...
Shiloh Hawkesworth
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greg stephens2 |
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Posts: 1029 (04/27/08 19:07:12)
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It is not suprising that the Desert Rays function the same, they are basically the same element with out the insulation and cover. The actual elements that are being used in all the panels are very similar if not the same. I do know that the textured finish of all the RHP's helps the panel admit heat in the desired direction, as does the insulation. My guess is that Shiloh is using 1/2 or thicker material that is either PVC or plywood as a cage material. This acts as the insulation/resistance that reflex's the heat downward at the snake. I use this same principle when I designed my baby, and sub adult cages. I have the cages made so a piece of 11" flexwatt again same type of element is contained out side the cage. This heats the rear wall of the cage which in essence it turns the rear wall of the cage into a RHP. This design is cost effective, removes all the electical components from inside the cage, and is just as effective as your typical RHP at creating a basking area and gradient. In the pic below if you look at the rear wall you can see the area where the 11' FW is. 
This next shot is of the baby to yearling cages I designed, it shows how the FW is ran through a false back on the rear of the cage. 
So there are a lot of ways we can use radiant heaters to keep our animals it all depends or your own preference. Use what you are comfortable with, what is practical for your collection, and from company's that stand behind their products.
Greg Stephens
gstephens_1@clearviewcatv.net I lost JB's watch!!!!! I have big steel pole envy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was told ,"By the way.........plastic is plastic - I've been in the cancer field for 20+ years now and I've never had a patient get cancer from burning plastic!" I had to ask my self what was this guy thinking!!
Last Edited By: greg stephens2
04/27/08 19:17:12.
Edited 2 times.
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Shiloh Hawkesworth |
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Posts: 1620 (04/27/08 19:30:14)
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"My guess is that Shiloh is using 1/2 or thicker material that is either PVC or plywood as a cage material.
This acts as the insulation/resistance that reflex's the heat downward at the snake." That is correct... My cages are 3/4" thick (sealed particle board) plus a thin piece of reflective insulation above the panel...
Shiloh Hawkesworth
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Jeff Godbold |
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Posts: 326 (04/28/08 11:21:03)
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Shiloh,
I'm curious, do you have any pics of how your panels are mounted? |
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Shiloh Hawkesworth |
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Posts: 1623 (04/28/08 16:33:25)
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This is the only photo I have on hand... You can't really see much... There is a piece of reflective insulation behind the heat panel and the panel itself
is secured by screws, with a washer to make the securing surface bigger... This is a 17x20 cage with an 11x11 heat panel, I used this size for my subs and
smaller adults...
Shiloh Hawkesworth
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kylemillsap |
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Posts: 15 (04/29/08 07:58:22) |
I like the heat panels from the bean farm. They are plastic and don't get hot on the back, unlike pro panels that get hot as hell! I breed Basins and use
only ceramic heat bulbs for them. They create a much wider heat gradient and allow my snakes to get away from high temps if they wish. Basins prefer a much
cooler environment than Chondros. Unless your cage is really large , heat panels tend to make the temp almost even throughout the cage.
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