Rack Temp/Heat Tape Problem

I’m having an issue with setting up my new rack. I apologize if this is all over the place, and I’ll try to explain the best I can.

I have the Ballroom rack from Boaphile and it has two strips of 4 inch heat tape snaking through the rack. The thermostat I’m using is a Herpstat 4, but I honestly don’t think it’s an issue with the thermostat. Basically, one of the strips of tape is having trouble maintaining temperature. The thermostat is constantly putting 100% into that strip trying to get it up to the desired temperature. I have both outputs set for 90 degrees at the moment. It’s weird because I’ll plug it in and it will reach the temp within a few minutes but as I let it run it drops down to around 82 degrees and stays there. The two probes are on the second to top shelf. They’re not dead center on the tape because the bins would scrape over them if I did that. I’ve moved them around several times and have gotten the same results. I’ve read a lot on the issue and I’m still not sure if it’s user error (this is my first rack) or a problem with that strip of tape.

So 90 is what the T-Stat is showing and 82 is what your temp gun or thermometer is showing correct? If so it's normal, you need to play around until you reach the desire temps inside the tub.

A few more questions you have one rack but use two thermostat probes :confusd: is one ran as a backup? If so it should be set higher than the first one.

How many shelves is your rack?

82 is what the T-stat is showing. I have the desired temp set at 90. I’m using one probe for each strip of tape. One strip is on output 1 and the other is on output 2. However the probes are pretty close to each other since the two strips of tape are close to each other. The rack has 4 shelves. Thanks for the help :).

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Originally Posted by Skandalakis

82 is what the T-stat is showing. I have the desired temp set at 90. I’m using one probe for each strip of tape. One strip is on output 1 and the other is on output 2. However the probes are pretty close to each other since the two strips of tape are close to each other. The rack has 4 shelves. Thanks for the help :).

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Remember temperature dial on the thermostat is just a guide and has very little resemblance to the actual temps your snakes may be enduring ... Many use a digital temp gun ( ten dollars eBay ) to check the actual floor temps then adjust the thermostat accordingly ..

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I have a temp gun :). I understand setting this stuff up is about trial and error. My main concern is that something might be wrong with the strip of tape. But I’m leaning more towards the problem being something I’m doing wrong. I’ve pluggged the heat tape directly into the wall and the gun shows that it’s functioning ok. So the issue is most likely how I’m placing the probes and setting my thermostat. I just don’t fully understand what I’m doing. I appreciate the help.

Have you switched the two strips in the thermostat? Could be a problem with the thermostat or probe.....If everything else is set up correct.

I’m pretty sure everything is set up correctly. I’ve checked all of it multiple times to make sure. I ended up just running one strip at 90 degrees and it’s maintaining the temperatures I want. I think I might just keep it that way for now.