Zilla Thermostat not working?

I got a Zilla 1000 watt temperature controller yesterday, and set it to about 90F. It actually made my terrarium hotter (near 100), so I've been turning it down. It's not set at less than 80, but the temperature keeps going up (95-ish-- Way too hot for a Ball Python). I don't have my snake yet, and I'm still trying to get the habitat under control, but what can I do? I'm going to get a new thermostat soon, but this one has to work for a few days at least. Does anyone else have this? What do you do to keep it working? Any tips or anything.

Doesn't sound like its working right. I would return it and get a rheostat(dimmer) for the time bing until you get the new tstat.

Those zillas have a habit of sticking on. They have a cheap relay inside and the contacts will weld themselves together. I never had the problem right out of the box but they all eventually did it. It could be a different problem but I have learned to not trust (or use) them anymore. I would return that one and look for a hydrofarm unit, either online or at a hydroponics store. They are in the same price range. You could also go for a herpstat or higher end one in the $100+ price range.

Edit: You might be able to get that one working again by smacking it or hitting it on a hard surface. Usually that will break the contacts loose.

I'll monitor mine, just in case. Thanks

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Originally Posted by Tfpets

Those zillas have a habit of sticking on. They have a cheap relay inside and the contacts will weld themselves together. I never had the problem right out of the box but they all eventually did it. It could be a different problem but I have learned to not trust (or use) them anymore. I would return that one and look for a hydrofarm unit, either online or at a hydroponics store. They are in the same price range. You could also go for a herpstat or higher end one in the $100+ price range.

Edit: You might be able to get that one working again by smacking it or hitting it on a hard surface. Usually that will break the contacts loose.

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I'm getting a new one soon, I was just planning to use this one for a few days (thought it would be okay for that long) until I could get a new one.

Cheap option, works great:
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...arm+thermostat

I'm getting the hydrofarm soon, but this one needs to work for a few days. I guess I wasn't very specific in my first post.
I'm getting a snake in a few days, hoping that this thermostat will work for 2 days max, while the hydrofarm is shipped. Do you think that it will work for a day or two as long as I keep the hot side between 85 and 92?
Also, is the cold side okay between 73 and 80? If not, what should it be at?