CROSSFIRE MADE EASY **UPDATED - 3.09.2008** 56K Warning

[dawg]

well with my version i am going to need 2 pieces.
at the top inside i am going to put another piece so i will have a 3-4 inch space to run all the wires so it looks neat.
i may change it not sure yet.
i can get the cabinet grade plywood for about 27 a 4x8 sheet

 

[beardienewbftw]

I can't seem to find where to order blk melamine.....
Searched High and low, a little help please...

Thanks

Yeah it was tough to find, Try looking in your yellow pages for companies who do Laminate and or wood distribution. I found mine through a large distribution Company listed in the very first post - They might be nation wide and might have an office by you (if you are actually in the states) But look under Laminate or high pressure woods. Good luck

UPDATE:

I finally found blk melamine mdf 8'x4'x 3/4" for $41.18 per sheet shipped....

Thanks for this write up, it has been the deciding factor for me to build a cage!!!!!

 

[JayStation3]

well with my version i am going to need 2 pieces.
at the top inside i am going to put another piece so i will have a 3-4 inch space to run all the wires so it looks neat.
i may change it not sure yet.
i can get the cabinet grade plywood for about 27 a 4x8 sheet

Im not quite sure what you mean, But in my version - with out the extra wood - you cant even see the wires. if you drill the hole in the back directly behind the UVB light fixture - push in the wire in and then when you insert the wire in to the Flour. tube fixture -tie a knot in the wire so it won't pull out...

Every one has thier own way - but i cant see buying (spending all that extra cash) 2 sheets of wood that most will not be used....post up some pictures when you get done with it, i would love to see what you mean.

 

[JayStation3]

I can't seem to find where to order blk melamine.....
Searched High and low, a little help please...

Thanks

Yeah it was tough to find, Try looking in your yellow pages for companies who do Laminate and or wood distribution. I found mine through a large distribution Company listed in the very first post - They might be nation wide and might have an office by you (if you are actually in the states) But look under Laminate or high pressure woods. Good luck

UPDATE:

I finally found blk melamine mdf 8'x4'x 3/4" for $41.18 per sheet shipped....

Thanks for this write up, it has been the deciding factor for me to build a cage!!!!!

That's awesome...

MDF is the best in my opinion. But i not only paid more than that for mine...lol ( 50+ bucks) BUTTTT - i also had to pick it up my self, so sounds like you got the hook up , be sure to post us up some pictures when you get done... and don't hesitate to ask any questions

Good luck and happy building

 

[beardienewbftw]

what kind of lights are you using for your set-ups? Right now I'm using ( just replaced) a 24" Reptisun 10.0
and a 100w spot light and my temps are fine. I know that the temps will be different with the bigger cage so..... Any suggestions

Thanks
Marcus

 

[beardienewbftw]

Also, did you use a plastic or metal 2 spot light fixture?

 

[JayStation3]

what kind of lights are you using for your set-ups? Right now I'm using ( just replaced) a 24" Reptisun 10.0
and a 100w spot light and my temps are fine. I know that the temps will be different with the bigger cage so..... Any suggestions

Thanks
Marcus

Hey Marcus,

Im using a 36" Reptisun 10.0, and my Spot Lights are just plain ol' GE Spot lights... I have one at 75 watts and one at 50 watts... I use the 75 watt to warm up the cage and then i'll switch over to the 50 watt one to maintain it...i found that if i leave my 75 watt bulb on all day - my temps sky rocket (120-125 degrees), but if i try and reach 105-110 degrees with the 50 watt bulb, it wont happen for 3 or 4 hours...

 

[JayStation3]

Also, did you use a plastic or metal 2 spot light fixture?

Sorry i for got to answer this one....

They are metal. I got them at Home Depot - in the "lighting fixture" section... it was until much much later did i discover the other light fixtures in the "electrical" section. I think i would have spent the same amount of money if i would have went with the second ones i found, (basically the fixtures came in peices and you bought which ones you needed...) but i like the ones i have... easy to put together and all

 

[BeardieGal]

I have a question, JayStation3.... I used the cheap extension cords to wire my lights. Should I rewire my lights with the three prong extension cords? What issues will I have if I don't?
Thanks!

 

[JayStation3]

I have a question, JayStation3.... I used the cheap extension cords to wire my lights. Should I rewire my lights with the three prong extension cords? What issues will I have if I don't?
Thanks!

Well - in one word....

FIRE

...lol....it could happen...but it also depends on what kind of lights and what kind of circuit you have. i wired all my lights to the same circuit so i wanted to be safe so i used a grounded plug. I went all out with it - so i didnt have to worry about it burning my house down, but if you have just one light going to one plug then a regualr extention cord will be okay. just make sure that all bare wires are wrapped properly...don't use wire nuts to connect just two wires, use a coupler + crimping tool, then wrap it with a couple layers of electrical tape, you should be fine,

but assuming you have a spot light and flourescent tube fixture wired together - you might want to rewire your lights to be grounded... let me know which set up you have and i will walk you through the wiring process...

 

[BeardieGal]

Thanks for the reply. I actually have all of mine wired separately. I have two single flood light fixtures and one 36" flourescent fixture. (I also installed a mini smake detector on the inside top of the enclosure) When I did the wiring I did use the plastic nuts, but I completely covered it and a couple inches of the cord with electrical tape, so there are absolutely no exposed wires. My basking fixture dosen't seem to get as hot as I thought it would as long as I use a Halogen Flood Light Bulb. Maybe I should still go back and redo it with the proper cord.

 

[JayStation3]

Thanks for the reply. I actually have all of mine wired separately. I have two single flood light fixtures and one 36" flourescent fixture. (I also installed a mini smake detector on the inside top of the enclosure) When I did the wiring I did use the plastic nuts, but I completely covered it and a couple inches of the cord with electrical tape, so there are absolutely no exposed wires. My basking fixture dosen't seem to get as hot as I thought it would as long as I use a Halogen Flood Light Bulb. Maybe I should still go back and redo it with the proper cord.

are each cord/light fixture connected to its own plug? if so i wouldnt worry about redoing them... I just use the crimping tool to reduce "drag" or resistance for the current...its not much of a differace in small items (such as one fixture - one plug type wireings, but in high voltage/wattage items - it makes a big diffeance...

i wouldnt worry about it if you have it done this way

 

[BeardieGal]

Yes, all three have their own plugs.
Thank you so much for taking the time to advise me on this. When I attempted this project my only concern was doing the wiring myself, which ended up being much easier than I thought , but the fear of fire is always on one's mind. I didn't have a crimping tool, but I twisted the wires around each other before putting them in the plastic nut, then I put lots of electrical tape around all of it.
Again, thank you very much!

 

[JayStation3]

Yes, all three have their own plugs.
Thank you so much for taking the time to advise me on this. When I attempted this project my only concern was doing the wiring myself, which ended up being much easier than I thought , but the fear of fire is always on one's mind. I didn't have a crimping tool, but I twisted the wires around each other before putting them in the plastic nut, then I put lots of electrical tape around all of it.
Again, thank you very much!

Yeah as long as they are each on thier own plug - you'll be fine...

your welcome, if there is any thing else i can help with let me know

 

[Eadig]

this should totally be stickied...