Design - Heat Tape Supports

In this design, heat tape runs underneath the cage boxes in each of the rack levels. The further the heat tape is from the bottom of the cage box, the harder it has to work to maintain the temperature set on the thermostat (you must use a thermostat with heat tape).

In order to help the heat tape work most efficiently, the design incorporates heat tape supports that elevate the tape so that it is just under the boxes in the rack.

These supports can be made from any thin (not more than 1/4 inch thick) and rigid material. We recommend using peg board panel. You'll probably have enough scraps left over after cutting out the cage tops. The number of supports you'll need per level is the same as the number of box rails (see line 19 of your worksheet). Refer to your Measurement Worksheet for length and width measurements (lines 20 & 21).

The supports need not be wider than 1 1/2 inches. The length is determined by the cage box length using the calculation in line 20 of your worksheet. Use a table saw to quickly cut these supports. Alternatively you may use a circular saw or jig saw.

The heat tape supports overlap the cross rails by 1 inch on each end and can be attached with nails or screws. The number of heat tape supports is equal to the number of box rails in that level. The Assembly section gives instruction on how to add the heat tape supports to the rack levels.