I just got my 500 watt silicone pad heater. Amazon, $48.00 at Amazon.com

I am planning on glueing it to the bottom of the tank and putting it on a timer. It should help with my setup. We shall see.

If you are blending VO with volatile solvents, then heating the tank is extremely dangerous.

quote:

Originally posted by john galt:
If you are blending VO with volatile solvents, then heating the tank is extremely dangerous.

I completely disagree.
If it is done properly and carefully, I see insignificantly small danger.

Rather than just a timer, I would also incorporate a temp sensor. A given amount of heating power will obviously warm say a 1/4 tank of fuel a lot quicker/ hotter than it will a full tank.

Of course you only need to get the tank warm enough to heat the fuel above the point any solids will melt which would be very similar to normal household room temp.
I can't see any danger in this.

Even if the timer/ temp sensor failed and the heat pad ran for a week, I very much doubt if the heat it supplied would be near enough to get the fuel anywhere near any sort of dangerous temp as the radiant losses would balance out the input well before any sort of critical temp got close.

If you were blending with Dino or kero, I would say there is no danger at all and very minimal even with rug but I'm sure the safety zealots ( not directed at anyone in particular) will come up with all sorts of unlikely scenarios, warnings and life threatening tales of woe to scare you anyway.

If you are not easily put off an otherwise sound idea by this sort of malarkey, it may help.
The only possible fault I can see is if 500W will be enough if your in a cold climate. Other than that, sounds like a plan!