where to put probe?

I have a new awesome Animal Plastics rack! I have a new awesome VE-300 thermostat! Everything is assembled and ready for a test run! Now... where do I put the probe for the thermostat? Not right on the heat tape, right? On the outside of the tube? If I put it inside, won't the snake in that tube eventually pee on it or otherwise find a way to get it wet?

I have an RBI rack...I tape my thermostat probe is taped directly to the heat tape on the top shelf (heat rises). Seems to be working out well for me, I have my thermostat set for 108 and it's keeping my racks hot spot at 94 (under the newspaper...it's like 92-90 above the newspaper).

From what I've read elsewhere, you're supposed to put the thermostat probe directly on the heat tape between it and the tub. Also, I remember reading that you're not supposed to let the thermostat probe CORD run over the heat tape, only the probe itself. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm sorry I read the thread title and had this flash of two Aliens stand over a naked man.. One says to the other one "Yea but where do you put the probe?"

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Originally Posted by Kymberli

From what I've read elsewhere, you're supposed to put the thermostat probe directly on the heat tape between it and the tub. Also, I remember reading that you're not supposed to let the thermostat probe CORD run over the heat tape, only the probe itself. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

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I'm not familiar with the rack he has, but there really is never a need to run the cord itself across the heat tape...I can't imagine it'd be good for the unit long term. I DID read however the other day to not use aluminum tape to tape the probe down because it can cause it to read higher than it is and can cause a hot spot, but I totally forget what they recommended to use instead...so I'm useless...damn gotta look that up again lol because I use aluminum tape :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

I'm sorry I read the thread title and had this flash of two Aliens stand over a naked man.. One says to the other one "Yea but where do you put the probe?"

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I know! But I couldn't figure out how to write it so that it DIDN'T come out sounding that way... :rofl:

Most people I know use aluminum tape. I would be interested to know why not to use it...

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Originally Posted by knox

Most people I know use aluminum tape. I would be interested to know why not to use it...

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Others have pointed out aluminum conducts heat a little too well and can cause false readings.

That's interesting.

My question - and I am not an electrical engineer - is that if the probe is taped to the Flex, and the aluminum tape is conducting heat from the tape around the probe, and there is at least the slightest bit of heat lost to the air via the conduction through the tape, how would there be false high readings? Is it because the probe is surrounded by heat, whereas the surface of the flex is losing heat more quickly to the air?

I take my temps from the tub itself, though. The probe on the flexx is just to get the temps where they need to be. So if I get a false high reading of 92 on the flexwatt itself, but the hot spot inside my tubs are 85 - it doesn't really matter.

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Originally Posted by knox

That's interesting.

My question - and I am not an electrical engineer - is that if the probe is taped to the Flex, and the aluminum tape is conducting heat from the tape around the probe, and there is at least the slightest bit of heat lost to the air via the conduction through the tape, how would there be false high readings? Is it because the probe is surrounded by heat, whereas the surface of the flex is losing heat more quickly to the air?

I take my temps from the tub itself, though. The probe on the flexx is just to get the temps where they need to be. So if I get a false high reading of 92 on the flexwatt itself, but the hot spot inside my tubs are 85 - it doesn't really matter.

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From Spyder Robotics (Herpstat) owner:

"The reason aluminum tape shouldn't be used is because it acts like a heat sink to the ambient air. It gives the probe more surface area to the airflow going across it which makes its readings lower than if you use standard tape. Also the metal can act as a antenna for electrical interference with the data the sensor is providing (less common). Also if you are using aluminum tape on flexwatt you could be generating a hot spot that might be prone to failure. Plus its conductive so it could pose a shock hazard or increase the fire hazard should the tape ever fail.

-Dion"