A warning to those using Fast-Gro heat mats!

Author

Comment

nycfig

Registered:1380768118
Posts: 884

Posted 1418393825	Reply with quote #1

Some cupped cuttings needed to be moved around this morning. Half are in a humidity bin and half on a metal tray. Both bin and tray share the same heating mat, an 11 x 24 Fast-Gro heating mat purchased from a seller on eBay. Everything sits on wire metal shelving. I removed the humidity bin and was pulling the heating mat from under the metal tray when sparks started flying around from under the mat. I keep the electric for the heating mat, lights, etc. mounted high and quickly unplugged the heating mat from the thermostat. When the smoke cleared I inspected the heating mat and found the connection of the wire to the mat was secured with a thin piece of black duct tape. The tape ripped while pulling the mat across the wire shelving and made a tiny hole which caused an arc and the sparks to fly from under the mat. __________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs! Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet

palazzophoto

Registered:1365388327
Posts: 140

Posted 1418394157	Reply with quote #2

Try using several layers of electrical tape to secure all the connections. I have about 4 layers on mine. Check out my propagation setup post. __________________ Justin Palazzo Wish List: Red Sicilian,Red Israel,Sbayi, Martinenca Rimada(any of the Rimada family) Dauphine/Grantham's Royal,Figo Preto, Olympian Quality Unknown Cultivars

garden_whisperer

Registered:1353347580
Posts: 1,613

Posted 1418394792	Reply with quote #3

Scarry stuff. I have looked into getting a few myself but may not now. __________________ Dave Zone 6b Illinois "Be the change you wish to see in the world"

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1418395204	Reply with quote #4

Good and timely information, I am sure several members are using mats at this time. I use electrical tape on several different problem items and also as a preventative measure for laptop computer power supply cords that I somehow keep fraying by bending them too many times. So my last new, after throwing away 3(slow learner), I taped the cord where it goes into the computer and presto, it should last forever. So Justin, preventative methods is the way to safety.

nycfig

Registered:1380768118
Posts: 884

Posted 1418396124	Reply with quote #5

Tape is good. Going to do that from now on. I may also cover the wire shelves with some 1/4" plywood, just in case. I also employ a multi-outlet GFI that plugs into the regular outlet. It's great because the test/reset buttons on the outlet act as an on/off switch, too. Can't be too careful! __________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs! Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet

nycfig

Registered:1380768118
Posts: 884

Posted 1418396335	Reply with quote #6

Dave - Don't worry too much about it. The quality of my rooting increased 1000% since I began using the heating mat. Still dialing it in a little, but I can't think of using anything else now. :) __________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs! Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet

GRamaley

Registered:1357742252
Posts: 791

Posted 1418397166	Reply with quote #7

I have a couple of their mats, I had a problem with one and they replaced it... the mats that are made where everything is sealed are more expensive but maybe worth it in the end. __________________ Gloria --------------- 7a, maybe 8

DonCentralTexas

Registered:1390420422
Posts: 475

Posted 1418399895	Reply with quote #8

Good Information, Thanks. Glad you were there when sparks started flying. I will say the 2 bins I have heat mats under have rooted and the roots are much more vigorous, at least 3 times faster than the 2 bins without heat mats. __________________ Don (Near Austin, TX zone 8b) If you have these for sale/trade PM me: Zingarella, Grantham's Royal, Calderona, Genovese Nero, Noir de Barbentane

rafaelissimmo

Registered:1335639347
Posts: 1,473

Posted 1418399942	Reply with quote #9

Danny You should have gone w Hydrofarm instead, I never had such a problem with them. __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, New York

cis4elk

Registered:1347840383
Posts: 1,718

Posted 1418400010	Reply with quote #10

Hydrofarm heat mats conection point is secured and encased inside of hard molded plastic. That tape is a seriously cheap and possibly dangerous alternative. __________________ Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6 Wants List: For everyone to clean-up after themselves and co-exist peacefully. Let's think more about the future of our planet and less about ourselves. :)

COGardener

Registered:1357441505
Posts: 814

Posted 1418400403 · Edited	Reply with quote #11

For the life of the mat if you keep it, I would coat the expesed leads with liquid electrical tape. Then use a heavier duty tape over that to protect the coating from nicks. I'm glad you caught it before something bad happen!

nycfig

Registered:1380768118
Posts: 884

Posted 1418404711	Reply with quote #12

I rigged this mat with extra tape already. The problem was dragging the mat across the metal bars of the shelving and not the mat itself. Adding 1/4 plywood to the shelving will certainly help but I'm going to switch to the Hydrofarm heating mats. __________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs! Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet

goodeats4me

Registered:1337620162
Posts: 25

Posted 1418406268	Reply with quote #13

I was in a house fire over a decade ago while staying with a friend. I discovered it at 1AM before it got too big and we all escaped. I have had a hard time using my fireplace ever since, freaks me out a little and I don't scare easily. Being in a fire will change your attitude. Don't ever say "it wont happen to me". I knew a kid growing up whose house caught fire twice. Use common sense and look for potential problems and learn from other peoples situations what went wrong. __________________ Larry Field Mesa AZ 9B

RichinNJ

Registered:1374784282
Posts: 1,687

Posted 1418406724	Reply with quote #14

yikes. Stuff like that can burn your house down

joann1536

Registered:1409975734
Posts: 274

Posted 1418445643	Reply with quote #15

Thanks for the warning! Glad you caught it before it caused a big problem. Adding the extra tape is a good idea, but it seems that that thin plywood might not be a bad idea, either. __________________ USDA Zone 9b Wish list: Abruzzi, Pasquale, Tagliacozzo, Zingarella, Godfather. Any unk Italian, especially from Abruzzo.

Gofigure

Registered:1387822122
Posts: 116

Posted 1418562200 · Edited	Reply with quote #16

Thanks for the info. Duct tape is an awful thing to use for isolation from 120vac. You might also consider a plug in gfci like this one: http:// http://www.homedepot.com/p/Tower-Manufacturing-Corporation-3-Wire-GFCI-Outlet-Adapter-30339005/202510242 __________________ ATL, GA, Zone 7b In ground varieties (22):Osborne Prolific, Conadria, Petit Negri, O'Rourke, Hardy Chicago, Texas BA-1, Alma, Celeste, Kadota, Green Ischia, Brown Turkey, Black Mission, Violette de Bordeaux, Texas Everbearing, Magnolia/Brunswick, LSU Purple, Dark Portuguese, Black Greek, Ronde de Bordeaux, Champagne, Dark Portuguese, Hybrid 0023. Rooting: Excel, 187-25, 291-4, 143-36, Cole de Dame, Calvert, Vernino, Santa Cruz Dark, Pastilliere, St. Jean, Barnisotte, Native de Argentile, VdB, Osborne Prolific.

nycfig

Registered:1380768118
Posts: 884

Posted 1418562632	Reply with quote #17

This is the one that I currently use. Works great as an on/off switch, too. __________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs! Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet

PhilaGardener

Registered:1389014416
Posts: 199

Posted 1418603822	Reply with quote #18

Wow - thanks for sharing that warning with us! __________________ Philadelphia Gardener Near Philly, but winters still feeling like Zone 6!

cis4elk

Registered:1347840383
Posts: 1,718

Posted 1418611916	Reply with quote #19

Danny, Is that a gfci that you plug into an existing outlet? Did it trip when the wire on your heat mat arced? __________________ Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6 Wants List: For everyone to clean-up after themselves and co-exist peacefully. Let's think more about the future of our planet and less about ourselves. :)

nycfig

Registered:1380768118
Posts: 884

Posted 1418617023	Reply with quote #20

Calvin - Yes, it is a GFCI that you plug into an existing outlet. The heating mat was temporarily moved to a different outlet at the time it arced. I didn't even think about it until now but it was not plugged into the GFCI. Going to have to buy another one. Thanks. __________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs! Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet

HarveyC

Registered:1212433117
Posts: 3,294

Posted 1418620330	Reply with quote #21

I suggest using plywood on your shelf anyways since you will be directing much more of the heat generated to your pots. I have one shelf heated with high quality professional Redi-Heat mats purchased used on eBay several years ago. The others were purchased on Amazon after reading reviews carefully as several brands had various problems such as what you experienced. I don't believe I have Hydrofarm as some problems were reported on theirs also, but don't remember what I actually bought for my other three shelves. I also place some heavy black plastic sheeting over the top of the mats must in case any develop a crack so that water doesn't leak into it which was a problem reported by some folks. If I'm buying something without a known history, I usually don't buy at eBay as it provides now way of knowing how well the product may last beyond the 60 day period a buyer may leave feedback. Even if I don't buy at Amazon, I prefer checking there for reviews, if possible. __________________ Harvey - Correia Farms Isleton, CA (Sacramento County) USDA zone 9b, Sunset zone 14 http://www.figaholics.com https://www.facebook.com/Figaholics

Previous Topic | Next Topic

Modal title

Insert Code

Please paste your code into the box below: