Heat mat isn't hot enough.

[Marzipan]

I bought a 12 watt, 11x11 inch habistat heat mat and attached it to my thermostat, but so far it doesn't seem to have gotten any warmer than 20C. Is it just working incorrectly, or is the wattage is too low? I think I need to buy a new one, can anyone suggest a wattage or brand to get? (Or give some suggestions).

(FYI: I have an EVO LITE thermostat and have messed around with the temps, setting it higher than it should be, but so far nothing over 21C.)

[PitOnTheProwl]

A mat is only for a hot spot so I hope you are not trying to raise the ambient temperature.
Your thermostat probe shoupd be between the glass an mat.
You should be taking your temperarure under the substrate.

[Marzipan]

A mat is only for a hot spot so I hope you are not trying to raise the ambient temperature.
Your thermostat probe shoupd be between the glass an mat.
You should be taking your temperarure under the substrate.

Thanks for the fast reply!

The ground temp is reading at about 24C. The thermostat probe is right on the bottom of the RUB (no substrate or towels in atm, just doing a test run before S-Day). This is on the hot side, right above the heat mat.

[Zincubus]

Thanks for the fast reply!

The ground temp is reading at about 24C. The thermostat probe is right on the bottom of the RUB (no substrate or towels in atm, just doing a test run before S-Day). This is on the hot side, right above the heat mat.

What are you using to test the temperature incidentally ?!
Most of the heat mats I've ever tested easily reached 30C+.

Presumably , the heat mat is on a unit , then the rub placed over the heat mat ?

How much space between the mat and the rub ?!?

Just wondering if the some of the heat is escaping sideways .

I've seen similar reports and they got round it by putting tin foil under the mat to reflect some of the heat up towards the tub .

I've read about one bloke who put a magazine under the heat mat just to reduce the gap between the mat rub ....


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[Marzipan]

I am using a white python thermometer and hygrometer currently placed on the floor of the vivarium until my proper thermometer with probes comes. I moved stuff around a little and it's now measuring at 26C, but I want to get it to 33C (I believe that is the correct heat).

It could be that I need a better thermometer though, I don't think it's very good. I also moved my thermostat probe more to the centre rather than the edges and it's gone up to 24C. I put the setpoint to 33 though it's not hit that heat. I feel I am missing a trick here that would click everything into place, but I don't know exactly what it is...

[MissterDog]

I've been wondering about a situation like this! You actually answered a question I was musing about in a thread I just posted lol. I assumed but wasn't sure if heaters had temp set points.

Let us know if you get different readings when your other thermometer arrives. I'm also starting to wonder if it's a thermometer issue. What are the dimensions of your viv? Any areas you suspect heat is escaping?

[Zincubus]

I am using a white python thermometer and hygrometer currently placed on the floor of the vivarium until my proper thermometer with probes comes. I moved stuff around a little and it's now measuring at 26C, but I want to get it to 33C (I believe that is the correct heat).

It could be that I need a better thermometer though, I don't think it's very good. I also moved my thermostat probe more to the centre rather than the edges and it's gone up to 24C. I put the setpoint to 33 though it's not hit that heat. I feel I am missing a trick here that would click everything into place, but I don't know exactly what it is...

If it's stand alone thermometer or one of those stick on the side ones - they're basically useless for this purpose - they just read the ambient air temps .

I'm guessing the surface temp over the mat will 'actually' be 30C+ in reality

[MissterDog]

If it's stand alone thermometer or one of those stick on the side ones - they're basically useless for this purpose - they just read the ambient air temps .

I'm guessing the surface temp over the mat will 'actually' be 30C+ in reality

I'm making a mental note of this for future reference! What thermometers would be best/would you recommend?

[Zincubus]

These are 3 dollars off eBay .

ALSO

These digital temp guns are a must for checking random 'surface' temps - 12 dollars off eBay ..

[Marzipan]

Good news! It's reading 28C right now, and that's just on the bad thermometer I've got. One of my relatives is coming over lately with the infrared gun though so I can properly read the temperatures. I've also ordered a probe thermometer as well.

I think it was a combination of two things (other than having a bad thermometer): the radiators in my house being off, and the box needing more time to heat up properly. Hopefully I will perfect the art of temperatures soon though!

I think I got confused because my thermostat probe inside the RUB is reading at 25C, in comparison to my thermometer which is measuring 28C.