Re: low voltage lighting
 

Inefficient in terms of power drawn vs. what actually gets turned into heat, in lighting most of the power is used to produce lumens and there is some heat as a byproduct.
A non light emitting unit is designed to produce heat.
A rheostat is an option but a very inexpensive method to control output.
The bulbs screw into a standard socket and can be used with a clip on light.
Personally, I wouldn't be without them because they provide deep penetrating heat for animals that may be sick or just need some heat and the lack of light offers an opportunity for uninterrupted rest.
Just another suggestion that may not have been considered.
In this day and age zero gas should be used to drive around finding anything considering where this discussion is taking place, but even before the internet a phone book did wonders for finding who carries what in your locale.

I definitely agree that at the price you can get christmas lights they are probably worth having a few sets.

Re: low voltage lighting
 

I read here that the lumens induced by light bulbs is a means to induce photosynthesis on the plants' leaves. Depending on the lumens intensity you can have the plants grow vegetatively or to produce fruits .
I certainly agree that you can also use the ceramic bulb that you mention. In fact that is even maybe better than my suggestion.
I am just not used to it or maybe I don't know where to buy them.
Having said that, I think I still will stick to Christmas lights because those saved many of my plants from below zero weather here in Salinas.
In fact it saved my California gold fruit and leaves when I wrapped the pstem, fruit and leaves and spread to the surrounding soil first the Christmas lights then on top was clear plastic (to keep the soil warm and to keep it dry also from the rain) the Christmas lights and wrapped them with burlap and clear plastics during the extreme cold 4 or 5 years ago when the tempts dipped below zero for more than 1 week. And when I bought it that was a newly planted CG with flowers. A matured plant.
I did not know what I was doing but it worked.
I also found out that I don't need a sealed greenhouse in my area. All I need are Christmas lights spread around the bottom of my plants and a clear plastic cover overhead.
The only drawback are my neighbors wondering why I still lit my Christmas lights even after Christmas in my backyard(lol).

Re: low voltage lighting
 

Now that all of my plants are grown and big, I don't use Christmas lights anymore. They are on their own to depend themselves from cold.
For testimonial, look at my plants I've grown in my backyard at my photo gallery.
You can see the California Gold that I am talking about.

Re: low voltage lighting
 

Here's my CG that survived the freeze because of Christmas lights. Notice the CL at the bottom of the hands? This is after I removed the burlap and clear plastics that was wrapped around the fruit and P-stem.

Re: low voltage lighting
 

The survivors of the freeze.
Look at them now! It's a jungle out there.
Notice also the Christmas lights that I used at the floor.

Re: low voltage lighting
 

I think Salinas gets similar weather to Vallejo, maybe you get a tad colder but not much.

There is another product sold for greenhouse use, it is designed for starting seeds and comes in rolls, you can buy it by the foot and it is like a heavy (15-20 mil) poly and it has an element sandwiched into it.
It's draw per foot seemed very low and you connect little clips to it to add power, it can be run any length and due to its flexibility it can be wrapped fairly easily.

I got a few samples from a reptile guy but he told me it was just greenhouse seed bed warming tape that he had his name put on.
It is designed to get wet so it should be very safe.
I'll put a couple pics in my photo gallery.

Ray

Re: low voltage lighting
 

rv...I have used that product for heating my snakes, and unless they have changed the power connection method, you should avoid getting them very wet. They will short out. That being said, it is a very good product. This is where I purchase it...bigappleherp

Re: low voltage lighting
 

I bought a product to warm up the soil in greenhouses. I bought it on EBay so I was not sure of the load (ampere drawn). When I got it and found out how much amperes it would be drawing, I did not used it one bit because they were too much for my money. Finally, I just threw it away.
You see I want to grow bananas the cheapest way possible. As far as I am concern, for free, and take advantage the environment can offer, the microclimate, the big trees, the walls of your house, the sun, etc.....
But if you have the money to spend, go for it.

Re: low voltage lighting
 

Ray:
I have a sister living in Stockton. I usually go to their house. I think Salinas is less colder than Vallejo because we are closer to the ocean which serves as buffer for temperature changes and we are more South than You.
During Winter It's Cold out there in Stockton and Summer is just plain Hot.
That's why I don't need much protection during Winter here except during that Arctic blast that really affected the whole California. And it was during that arctic blast I used Christmas lights to protect my newly planted California Gold and it worked.

Benny