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I was thinking about using an old fridge as a seedling cabinet. I am tempted to use the resistor of an out of order pizza oven plugged on a small 12 V transformer to heat the cabinet.

I didn't do the math yet to know if I could achieve a suitable temperature, because this idea led to my wondering whether there could be any security issue with such a setup ?

I am not talking about obvious fire issues of a too hot resistor, I'm rather thinking about potential fire hazard from the transformer.

The transformer is 12 V/5 A, so my understanding is that anything above 2.4 Ω should be ok ? The resistor being supposed to be about a few tens of ohms, plugging it directly should be safe ?

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Is the 12 volt transformer brand new? \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Commented Mar 25, 2023 at 16:52
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Andyaka Well not new as in "manufactured this year", but new as in "never used before". \$\endgroup\$
    – Skippy le Grand Gourou
    Commented Mar 25, 2023 at 17:01
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    \$\begingroup\$ The most important thing is that the resistor must be rated to handle the power continuously. Also, add a fuse. \$\endgroup\$
    – Jonathan S.
    Commented Mar 25, 2023 at 17:01
  • \$\begingroup\$ What sort of transformer is it? It's not an autotransformer hopefully? Is it rated for your input supply (not specified)? Does the transformer need an earth connection to make it safe to use? How competent do you feel you are wiring to AC mains power? \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Commented Mar 25, 2023 at 17:09
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    \$\begingroup\$ Does the old fridge have an incandescent bulb to illuminate its interior when you open the door? If so, you might try disabling its door switch, so the bulb is ON whether the door is closed or open. It might provide appropriate heat. \$\endgroup\$
    – glen_geek
    Commented Mar 25, 2023 at 17:17

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