Heat tape set to 105 to get a 90 degree hotspot? (dual sided radiant heat)

I finally received my AP rack yesterday. Its a 7 level 32qt sterlite rack. I choose dual sized radiate heat. So its set up with 11'' flex watt on the of both the left and right walls. I have the flex hooked up to a herpstat ND, probe is on the heat tape on the highest bin. I wasn't sure what the heat tape needed to be set to to get a 88-92 degree hot spot which is what I want to shoot for. I decided with 105 degrees. I have the 4 top bins set and ready for snakes. The other 3 are empty. The 5th bin down, first empty bin has 2 digital thermometer probes on in it. One in the very front the other in the very back. There is no ventilation in this bin. The 4 bins ready to go have 20 ventilation wholes on each side at the front of the bins as well as the front it self so 60 wholes no vent in the middle or back of these bins. Let it warm up overnight and this morning I was reading 90 degrees in the testing bin (5th bin) in the back and 83 in the front. The other bins are ready 83-85 on the mulch (roughly 2'' high) high 70s in the front. I decided to raise the temp a couple degrees. Last night the tubs where in the center of each slot so non where touching either side of the walls. I moved them to the left so they are flush to the wall touching that side of the heat tape. The ambient room temp is in the low 70s. Is it typical to have the heat tape this much hotter than the desired hot spot?

Thanks
Xavier

flexwatt is not designed to hold temps that high


95 is the recommended cut off.

Yes with the radiant heat, the flexwatt is running hotter than other setups.

Id see if you could put the probe on an empty tub where you want to actually measure heat at and set your thermostat to your temperature.

The colder temps in your room are to blame, so if you can get those up, it'll help you out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 2kdime

Yes with the radiant heat, the flexwatt is running hotter than other setups.

Id see if you could put the probe on an empty tub where you want to actually measure heat at and set your thermostat to your temperature.

The colder temps in your room are to blame, so if you can get those up, it'll help you out.

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I orginally was going to set the probe int he tub but was concerned about it too hot if I did it that way. I guess I'll give it a try.

Xavier

Quote:

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Originally Posted by XSpringer

Is it typical to have the heat tape this much hotter than the desired hot spot?

Thanks
Xavier

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yes