Hey guys! So I built my first rack and have it running! Used flexwatt heat tape, watched a million DIY tutorials before hand. Everything looks good and it works! BUT, when the heat tape turns on, I do hear the tiniest bits of noise (only for a few seconds, tiny clicks throughout the tape). I was wondering if that’s normal to hear? My other racks I’ve had for years don’t make noise (the thermostats do, but I never noticed the tape itself unless I’m just oblivious)
Everything is sealed with electrical tape, and then layered duct tape on for it to be sturdy. Heats up perfectly to temp
Am I being paranoid or do I have to start all over?
UPDATE; switched the tape to aluminum (except the parts that are attached to the wired ends) and the noise has stopped!! I may hear a single click here and there but I was in the room an hour and only heard it once so!!
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Wait, are you saying you put tape on top of the heat tape? Is it only on the edges, or is it touching the copper & black parts?
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Clicking, buzzing, popping or pretty much any noise from heat tape is NOT normal and is actually a potential bad sign for electrical… surges-? (not an electrician so idk the actual term) and is a huge fire risk. I’d highly recommend taking everything out if you have anything in the rack currently and investigating what the source could be.
(Edit): Heat tape can be damaged surprisingly easily. I’d go over and make sure none of the copper/black parts of the heat tape has sustained damage, it could be the culprit especially if its a DIY build. Not trying to shame at all, its a common occurrence that just needs close attention.
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Is it possible to see photos of how it’s set up?
If you taped over the strip entirely, that’s not good. You only ever want to tape the edges, not over the bars and copper. When the flexiwatt gets hot it will affect the adhesive coatings on the tape and that’s probably the source of the popping…which can be damaging the flexiwatt underneath.
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So the taped on parts is over the copper slightly, but it’s mostly the edges. I’ll take some pics here shortly! I will say, all my other racks are covered in tape to hold it still (not the best condition I got them in), so i didn’t think it would be an issue!
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I have noticed it’s not doing the noise everytime now, so maybe it’s because it needed a little time since I just did all the stuff?
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Should I replace the duct tape with aluminum tape instead, even though the duct tape is mostly in contact with electrical tape only?
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Oh, good! I’m glad it was just a misunderstanding and not actually taped over the flexi watt entirely.
If it was my rack? I’d replace it.
Duct tape over time will just peel off because of the heat or the humidity. And then you’ll need to use goo gone or something similar because of adhesive residue. The aluminum tape usually stays down regardless.
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I never used aluminum tape so I assumed it would stick up over time unlike duct tape! But as long as I be careful of those bars (only covering the very ends, even if it makes noise I think it should be okay?
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