From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Deerfield, Michigan

I was at an auction yesterday and picked up some heat cables that were used on a roof to keep the gutters from freezing. They are about 15 feet long and I got three of them for $2 each. My thought was to use these in my planting area. My question is would they work? How different are these from other heat cables used and can they get throw off to much heat?

1/19/2014 8:07:35 AM

Central Illinois

just a guess, they may not heat up enough for growing,since all they have to do is melt ice , but I had thought of trying them too.

1/19/2014 9:14:51 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

The thermostat is set at 32..

1/19/2014 9:33:27 AM

Deerfield, Michigan

There is no changing the temp on them. They just have a plug on one end. I wish they would work. Now they may just go in the scrap pile.

1/19/2014 10:22:17 AM

Whitehall Montana

My soil cables turn on at 75 degrees and hold at 80 degrees.I had the same idea but after I read more on the subject I went to Amazon and bought a set on sale.I don't think they are as good as those sold through Hollands Giants,

1/19/2014 10:25:11 AM

i use gutter cables only for last 6 years they heat quicker and warmer than soil cable
mine are direct on when pluged in-turn off unplug
they will get hotter than soil cable and last year after year , i now use inline a thermostat made for utlity heater. it controls the on-off to keep from getting to hot

1/19/2014 11:25:42 AM

Deerfield, Michigan

I may have to give them a try this year. Will have to see how much amp they draw or I could have a problem keeping three of them plugged in. The thermostat is a good idea, wouldn't want to cook them.

1/19/2014 12:35:31 PM

Michigan,up North

i used those last year on the 2009 ,i bought at a yard sale,worked good ,for a early start with a light bulb in the hoop house .

1/19/2014 1:17:59 PM

East Jordan, MI

here's a thought...plug one in and see how hot it gets.

If its not hot to the touch, it either isn't working or has an inline thermostat. If it does get hot, then they will work. plug, unplug wouldn't work for me, i'd forget to unplug....a thermostat would be the way to go.

1/19/2014 6:10:15 PM

Anchorage Alaska

totally agree with Don , non thermostatic roof gutter cables are the only way to go for serious ground heating. I'm thinking they put out 7 watts per ft or 7 amps per 100 ft not that big of a draw really I use them with my line voltage heat mat thermostat with a built in soil probe..way better and tougher than soil warming cables

1/19/2014 10:49:39 PM

Wi

I use roof cables with an inline controller. The work great and last longer.

4/20/2014 8:31:12 AM