warming trays designed for food but I plug them into an electrical box I wired up with a lamp dimmer switch.A night light as a monitor plugged into one of the outlets and I set the dimmer so the bulb barely glows.

[QUOTE=slugworth;722442]warming trays designed for food but I plug them into an electrical box I wired up with a lamp dimmer switch.A night light as a monitor plugged into one of the outlets and I set the dimmer so the bulb barely glows.[/QUOTE]

Geez, you folks are all so handy ...

I find all the parts in goodwill or other thrift stores.

Thanks everyone for your ideas and experience. I ended up with an Electra-Grow heat mat.

The tray sits on top of a wire grid and there’s no additional thermostat needed.

I'm glad you've been able to make a reasoned choice. I suggest you test the soil temperature from time to time, moving the seeds about in the room may make a difference of some degrees. Adding insulation under the mat or above (newspapers) can as well raise or lower the temperature.
Please, keep us informed of your results when time comes !


All the best

Loulac

Thank you for these tips! I’ll post feedback periodically and reach out again if I run into any snags.
- Joyce

[QUOTE=loulac;723445]I'm glad you've been able to make a reasoned choice. I suggest you test the soil temperature from time to time, moving the seeds about in the room may make a difference of some degrees. Adding insulation under the mat or above (newspapers) can as well raise or lower the temperature.
Please, keep us informed of your results when time comes !


All the best

Loulac[/QUOTE]

Great thread... the lemon juice on paper test is brilliant! I will have to try this to test my old cheapo heat mat. :yes:

[QUOTE=bower;723527]Great thread... the lemon juice on paper test is brilliant! I will have to try this to test my old cheapo heat mat. :yes:[/QUOTE]

Yes, wasn’t that great?