Heat belt melt!

[garciaBernal]

So I used my Ritchies heat belt on a fermenter smaller than I should have and had parts overlapping. Stupid I know. Some small bits of the plastic has melted away exposing the heating wires beneath. Is there a way to salvage this or am I looking at a new heat belt?

[Leann ull]

Bin it


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[garciaBernal]

Will need it over the weekend before a new one arrives though. Any kind of patch job possible for a few days?

[auralabuse]

Its not advisable at all to use or patch that now. Its a fire hazard. Where are you located, I'm sure someone couple lend you one short-term

[nigel_c]

What are you brewing that you need a heat belt with the weather we're having at the moment?

[garciaBernal]

Maintaining high 30's on a kettle soured IPA. Need to keep my lacto happy for a few days. Just don't want it to drop too low. The last few nights were not exactly kick off the bedsheet warm. Get er brewed will have one for me tomorrow. 

[nigel_c]

If it's an electric boiler, a few seconds of power does the job .

[garciaBernal]

Not when I'm fast asleep or away for a few days. Running the heat belt through an stc.

[Leann ull]

take a picture and post it
they are 240V and its really not worth the risk of duck tape, they contact together from further melting and its curtains for you your house the neighbours house.....
HBW are flogging them for 20 at the mo not worth the risk.
I'm not sure its even safe to run them on 100% on all the time using an stc
id be looking at an old fridge with heater bar longer term if you want that sort of temp.

[molc]

Reiterate what others are saying - throw it out and don't even consider using it. Dodgy electrics are a sure fire way to die.

[garciaBernal]

Don't fret lads I won't use it but here it is in all its glory. No actual electronics exposed but I'll bin it so I'll live to brew another day.

[Leann ull]

no disrespect but that looks like a shit one in any case 
The resistance wire still looks intact, but the shitty PVC outer covering or sheath looks like its melted in a couple of spots   
You would probably get away with it but personally I wouldnt risk it, have you had it used it long?, return to the vendor!

[garciaBernal]

no disrespect but that looks like a shit one in any case 
The resistance wire still looks intact, but the shitty PVC outer covering or sheath looks like its melted in a couple of spots   
You would probably get away with it but personally I wouldnt risk it, have you had it used it long?, return to the vendor!

Yeah the wire itself is still intact. It's kinda my own fault for overlapping it inadvertently so won't return it. It's flimsy and it is only the outer layer that peeled off. Electronics safe and sound. I won't use it though.

[garciaBernal]

When I used it correctly I never had a problem with it! Maybe have it a year and used it 20 times without issue.