Heat tape problem

I have 3 feet of 4" heat tape on a metal shelf I keep my bp on. The problem is the heat tape does not seem to be getting very warm. I set it up exactly the way I've seen it done in a lot of videos, but it feels like it is only "luke warm". I am going to purchase a temp gun to find out for sure, but I am pretty sure something is off because the bottom (inside) of the steralite container barely feels warm.

I have tried plugging the heat tape directly into the wall outlet as well as into the thermostat (on/off) I have and turned the temp up to 106 on the thermostat just trying to get it warmer. No noticable difference doing any of the above.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
thanks

Consider, the recommended hot spot for a bp is only 90 degrees, unless your sick your skin is 98.6. So what is only "luke warm" for you is probably too hot for you snake.

I considered that, but wasn't sure. Rookie worries I suppose. Guess I'll know for sure once I get the temp gun. Thanks for the input.

Heat tape gets too hot for a snake without a thermostat. Like the other person mentioned your body temp averages 98.6 so anything that feels warm is warmer than that, and that's too hot for a snake. I'd turn the thermostat down to about 92-95, depending on what you use for substrate.

Hi,

I would double check the connections and make sure there isn't a break or short somewhere.


dr del

I honestly wouldnt operate it without a temp gun, because likely its too cold, or even worse its too hot. Its very unlikely its operating at the correct temperature, and even if it was, it wont stay that way. A thermometer or rhetostat isnt going to display the right temperatures. A temp gun will.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sama

Consider, the recommended hot spot for a bp is only 90 degrees, unless your sick your skin is 98.6. So what is only "luke warm" for you is probably too hot for you snake.

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Skin surface is NOT 98.6. That is your core temp inside, as surface temps avg run 88-95 depending on the individual. My hand temps via temp fun is 91



And the flexwatt may be wired bad. If its wired with clips thats your answer right there. If they are id redo them and use solder rather clips.

The location of your thermostat probe makes a huge difference in how the heat tape operates, how hot/cold it gets, and what temp is actually produced inside the cage.

You could be having a number of problems with your setup, including this one.

But it is all moot if you don't have a way to actually measure temperature.