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Electrical

Safely heating a cabinet of tropical house plants

Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.45 PM

Id like to make a tropical plants cabinet, which is aprox 25 degrees and high humidity. The hack is on trend with the cabinet I want to use (Rudsta IKEA) but I can't find anywhere how people heat it safety and enough, in colder climates like the UK. I have an idea but don't know if it will work as I will explain. The heat needs to warm at night and when I'm away, and on 24/7 for most of the year, especially in winter. I will be in bed or away when it is on so I'm trying to avoid a fire where possible (use a thermostat). My flat is aprox 11-14 degrees this winter and the cabinet needs to be consistently about 23-25 degrees. 1. Someone did this for their cabinet and I'm wondering if it's safe: they put reptile heat tape on the outside of the glass using electrical tape. They attached is to a thermostat. I'm wondering if it's against glass like this whether it is safe/could crack the glass. I'm not really after guessing as I could guess it may work, I'm here hoping someone with experience will tell me. I'm thinking of putting the heat tape on one side of the glass. 2. I don't know whether it will penetrate the glass enough. The person who did this said it worked well for them, but that may be they already live in a warmer climate and the room temperature isn't as low. I have no way to contact them. But I'm less worried about this since they said it worked... however if it doesn't work I would of spent a lot of money on the heat tape and cabinet for no reason. 3. I also am wondering whether it would make my flat too hot in summer when left on 24/7 as I want the heat to penetrate into the cabinet. 4. Lastly any other ideas that come to mind? People use seedling propagation mats inside the cabinet for this trend dont heat the cabinet, only the bottom of a pot. You can use a lamp inside, but there is high humidity to consider and I don't know how safe that is. I also have no room for a lamp, only something flat like a mat. I have no room outside the cabinet to aim a lamp at the cabinet either. StrangLX actually there is not a huge deal online, a heat mat is not enough and I'm looking for specific products for the limited space, humidity etc. I think you misunderstand because I have done a ton of research as to why things don't work. The reptile heat mats for example can set themselves on fire and are not safe. They also don't produce enough heat. I'm not the only one with this problem either, others online say they don't know how to get more heat in with limited space and high humidity. Even lamps may not be safe in high humidity. DMElectrical - I already explained why I'm here. You are rude and you may find it ridiculous but I was asking about electrical safety against glass and I told you it's a long shot but maybe someone would know. You don't listen to me tell you that I have tried other places. So not only are you rude and have nothing helpful to add but are shooting me down for no reason when I'm trying my best to help myself.

Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?

4 Answers

DMElectrical

Rating: 5 out of 5

Winchester

Hello again, re-re your update-update- As an electrician with absolutely (along with most other electricians) no knowledge of tropical plant grow tanks, I can with confidence inform you with total surety for a third time, that this is not the right forum, and although I am enjoying the ludicrous nature of this Q&A I really do have electrotechnical questions to answer, maybe you would have better luck (as you seem to be trying without regard to the forum being appropriate in any way) if you also tried maybe a dental forum and an astrologists forum? Short of insisting on this 'scattergun' approach, maybe try someone at KEW? I will not be answering any more updates made to this question, this is so I can put time into the electrotechnical side of this forum. All the best with your horticultural (non electrical) project. Ciao Old second answer below - I understand, when you say 'Edit: to someone who replied who I can't respond to!' that is my point exactly, this isn't a 'thread' so you cannot respond like that, no offence intended, just proves my point. If you want to know about heat on/across glass, glass tolerances(?) and related materials, a book would be a better reference point plus YouTube videos, electricians are involved with totally differing areas of thermodynamics. Don't be disheartened, you just need to find the right online forum which grants access to the right people and allows for more fluent discourse. Like I said, likley not the right forum. Unless maybe there's a tropical plant growing electrician here? Good luck either way. D Old message below- Hi, I don't think this is the forum for this sort of thing, what you outline is better suited to a forum that supports tropical plant enthusiasts, you haven't asked any questions that relate to electrical installation requirements - loads, IP ratings, regulations, equipment requirements? I think you'll get a much better response elsewhere as this is not an electrotechnical question (its not really a question either, its more the start of a thread). I hope this helps Happy growing. Yours DMELECTRICAL

Answered11 April 2023

Anonymous user

I'd think 25 degrees is not too hot in summer if you open the glasses for proper ventilation

Answered30 March 2023

StrangLX

Rating: 5 out of 5

Broadstairs

Hi, There is a huge number of available products both online and in the shops designed to achieve exactly what you want to. Everything from heated vivs or propagators, heat lamps to green house heaters…. Most are plug and play options, if you’re concerned about safety then I advise buying a pre-made product designed to do what it says on the tin.There is so much to choose from, just have a look online. Always follow the manufacturers instructions so if it it says it should be installed by an electrician then you know what to do. Edit: I’d try a Google search for greenhouse heaters, grow tents, indoor greenhouses ect. There really are thousands of products available. As always follow the manufacturers instructions.

Answered11 April 2023

Alpha electrics

Rating: 5 out of 5

Craigavon

It would be more of a specialised market your looking. I'd try any tropical florists shops or reptile shops as im sure they be much more aware of what's on today's market and safe. Think you'll find most of the electricians here are installation electricians specialising in building Electricial installation, testing and inspection and building maintaince. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful and I wish you luck.

Answered17 April 2023