Accurite going haywire!

Hello everyone!
Finally got my new computer...YAY! Anyhoo, my accurite is going nutz on me... it says 107 degrees on the side where I have the probe & it is accurate on the "outside" side. I know that it is not that hot in there!! And my snake is not on the probe. What could it be? Maybe time for a new thermometer?

Thanks!!

What is your source of heat and do you have athermostat of some kind? Its very easy for an unregulated heat source to get that hot.

My UTH reads 108 below the tank and 93 inside on the bottom of it. I got a dimmer for now but will soon be upgrading to a Herpstat or Herpstat II

I've had nothing but problems with the accuracy of the acu-rite thermostats. They never read anywhere close to my ISO-9000 calibrated IR gun. I suggest you get an decent IR gun and work with it!

Did you get it wet/pooped on? You'll notice that the probe becomes VERY sticky once its wet( I'm guessing if you have one snake you can attach it to something) but after that mine are ruined, they get stuff stuck to them.

If a thermometer isn't working it usually got wet or the batteries are going dead.

Also, check your temp with another source. The thermometer may be correct.

I use a temp gun for all my stuff...it is one of the best investments I have made and no reptile keeper should be without one.

It's relatively easy to check your Acu-Rite. Just remove the probe from the enclosure. Sit the probe and the unit on your kitchen countertop and watch. Very shortly the two temps should match, if they don't you likely have a defective probe or need to change batteries. I have noticed with the Acu-Rites that they do not run nearly as well on cheapy batteries.

Thanks everyone,
I never thought about the batteries...DUH!! I have a red light on the warm side & a uth on the cool side and all on a Johnson Controls Thermostat. I know that everything is up to par, so it has to be the batteries, I'm going to change them right now!!

also, the thermostat never shut everything off, & it had the right temp. showing. I think I may need a new thermostat, I put a new battery in it & it is still showing abnormal temps.