Heat tape is used to prevent pipes and other exterior apparatus such as a waterer for poultry from freezing during the winter. Heating tape can be built to any size or shape. You can use resistors to create a heat tape that runs on a 12V battery. The number of resistors and therefore the length of the tape will determine how much power is required and how long the battery will last.
- 1-inch duct tape
- 1/2-inch rubber door gasket insulation
- 18 AWG solid hookup wire
- 330-ohm 1/2-watt resistors
- Soldering iron
- Solder
- Shear
Polarity of the resistors does not matter when soldering them.
Do not use any other resistors that the one in that article or your heater might fail to heat or catch fire.
Divide the length you want your heat tape to be by 0.625 to calculate how many resistors to purchase. That will allow you to put a resistor every 5/8-inch (0.625-inch) on your heat tape.
Cut two lengths of 18 AWG copper “Solid hookup wire” and lay them flat on a table 5/8-inch apart.
Position a resistor every 5/8-inch apart across the two wires in a ladder pattern. Make sure to leave 2 inches between the first resistor and the end of the hookup wire on one side.
Heat your soldering iron. Melt solder on top of the two point of contact between the resistor wire and the two hookup wires. Only use one drop and make sure not to put molten solder on the actual resistor.
Cut the excess resistor wire on each side of the ladder.
Cut two lengths of duct tape and one length of rubber door gasket insulation.
Lay the duct tape facing up, put the resistor assembly on top and cover it with the insulation. Cover the assembly with duct tape facing down and press it to stick everything together.
Connect the wire to a continuous 12V power source to turn your heater on.
Things You'll Need
Tips
Warnings
Tips
- Polarity of the resistors does not matter when soldering them.
Warnings
- Do not use any other resistors that the one in that article or your heater might fail to heat or catch fire.
About the Author
Andrea Helaine has a Bachelor of Philosophy in theology and is currently finishing her thesis course for a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing. Helaine has been writing professionally for over 10 years and has been published in several anthologies and is currently breaking into the screenwriting market.
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