Seed Starting Heater

I recently received some tomato seeds and wanted to get them started ASAP!

The ambient temperature was a little low, and I really didn't want to spend the $30 for a heat mat for seed starting.

So I look around on the 'net, and find a few posts mentioning that Christmas lights can be used.

Enter: Marlin's attempt to start seeds and burn the house down.

Round One, The container sitting on the lights constantly on: The seeds/container was maintaining 100 Degrees F! WAAAAY too hot!

Round Two:

Being the HVAC helper that I am, I cobbled together a quick controls project:

Items Needed:

1 - 3D Christmas star
1 - Penn Johnson Controls A419 (which I already had on hand, These things run $60 - $100)
1 - 6 foot Extension cord
Piece of aluminum foil


I cut the extension cord, and hooked it up to the temperature control.
Next, I took the star and wrapped it in aluminum foil. Mainly that was to keep the light contained, so it wouldn't drive me crazy.

Then all I had to do was plug it in and set the temps!





Here it is working maintaining a comfy 77 degrees: