Self regulating heat tape question?

[The Cobbler]

I just bought about 100' of self regulating heat band with 4 plug adapters from Habitat.
I was thinking about using it as a heat band for my air compressor in the winter months, as well as an auto drain heat band .
Is there any limitations on the shortest lenght I can use?
it says on the reel not to exceed I think 100' but no mention of shortest lenght?
any insight would be great

 

[Charlie K]

You should be good to go up to the max length indicated on the Heat trace.

 

[The Cobbler]

yes, the max length is listed, what I want is the shortest lenght

 

[dogdog]

If it is something like these, I think they are self regulating tapes... so it's WATT/FT..
I don't think there is a min length.... if in doubt you can always call the manufacture.

https://www.gamut.com/c/process-hea...MIzZOclI6y3gIVx4bVCh33oADDEAQYASABEgJq1_D_BwE

 

[The Cobbler]

yes, same as that, I know on the reel it has a max lenght, no mention of min lenght. I guess from that there is no minimum .
Thanks for the info

 

[dogdog]

Yea was thinking about buying / bidding on a wheel of that some time back, I hesitated and missed it.... I think those comes with either 240V rolls or 120V rolls just make sure you got the right nes...

 

[The Cobbler]

it's 120, and I paid $10 for it.

 

[samss]

18" is the shortest I've made so far. Most of the time I need 4 to 12 feet.

 

[The Cobbler]

18" is the shortest I've made so far.......

that's great to know. that's a lenght I can work with

 

[dogdog]

dam $10 is a great find.

 

[rlitman]

dam $10 is a great find.

Agreed! I'd say you **** level.

No, self regulating should not have a minimum length.

 

[Bretny]

Why does your compressor need a heat tape?

 

[The Cobbler]

it's in an unheated shed

 

[Bretny]

There are alot of air compressors in unheated garages. Mine use to be. My fathers 20gal lived and worked in the unheated section of his attic for many many years. Then we went to take it down it had 15gal of water in it yet still worked for a few years.

 

[The Cobbler]

mine has been in the shed for years too. but I just thought since I got this heat band so cheap , it would be a way to use some. and it aint goona hurt the compressor.
so I need it? no. will I get around to doing it? probably not! lol