3 inch heat tape question

im using 3 inch heat tape and each strip is about 33 inches long.. my question is how warm should the strip of heat tape get? seems like its not getting warm enough.. i have it hooked to a zilla 1000 watt temperature controller (thermostat) set to about 94 degrees. the thermostat always stays on and wont go above 90 degrees... does anyone know the problem? is it not suppose to get any hotter? bad soldering job??? anyone??? :confused:

Bad thermostat sounds like...

How are you measuring temps..

the thermostat probe is taped to the bottom of an unused tub. that and those cheap round reptile thermometers.

Probe needs to be taped DIRECTLY ON the flexwatt OUTSIDE the tub on shelf.

You need to ditch them Dial thermometers. Their garbage and can be 10-15 degrees off either hot or cool.

Pickup a Infrared temp gun on Ebay for 25$ and use that to read your temps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

Probe needs to be taped DIRECTLY ON the flexwatt OUTSIDE the tub on shelf.

You need to ditch them Dial thermometers. Their garbage and can be 10-15 degrees off either hot or cool.

Pickup a Infrared temp gun on Ebay for 25$ and use that to read your temps.

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and keep the temp set at 94 on the thermostat? i know im strapped for cash for another week..

yes tape the probe to the flexwatt and set the temp to 90. check surface temp with digital thermometer or infrared temp gun till inside tub reads your desired temp.

Mine are all set at 90 and i get 89 inside tub where i keep all my bps