Thermostat help

and one other thing i really have to point out. LGray, you have the most beautiful smile :oops:

The probe in the tub will deliver the set temps as long as the range from the room temps to set temp is not too far apart.

The problem that I believe LGray is having is that the range is too far for the flexwatt to safely heat the tub. I believe, although I can no longer find the instructions that came from the manufacturer (calorique) the maximum sustained temps for the flex watt was 110ºF I could be wrong that is the number stuck in my head anyway I can't seem to find the sheet on line either. They make a lot of variations.

The solution I think anyway is to create a second micro environment with the rack. Not only in the tubs. Insulating the rack will help, but I believe that that alone will not be enough. Assuming the tubs hot spot hits 90 the other end is unlikely in my experience to be much more than 5-7º higher than the room is, that make the cool end 73-75º which is still quite cool.

If you are not interested in a cool end flexwatt system ($$) and locally heating the room in is in is not practice ($$$). Towels may help some and insulating the top bottom (in my case the floor is very cold...) and sides may help but in my experiments with the same issue that simply isn't enough I found that with out some supplemental heating on the rack the cool end temps and ambient temps were outside where I felt was acceptable. (my room temps are 65-7 winter)

I think you will find that you need to add a heat source somewhere in the loop either the room, the rack, or at the tub. But somewhere. I just had a second thought can you enclose the rack in a closet or something then you might have an easier time heating the smaller space up some.

cecilbturtle,
the zip tie is a great idea if you need to probe the enclosure due to wide room temp swings and an lee efficient enclosure. I have been using hot melt glue (unplug the probe) but zip ties are better, I'll try that next cleaning day!

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Originally Posted by cecilbturtle

if you have ever seen a snake wrapped up in tape you would never suggest tape inside an enclosure. im guessing you havent. i have and its not a pretty site.

if you want to put the probe inside the tub you can drill small holes in the tub over the area where the heat source is and use a zip tie or a twist tie. use tape on the under side of the enclosure to keep spilled water or urine from leaking out of the holes.

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I have never seen a snake wrapped in tape. :P Good point, and I really like the zip tie idea. Using this method be sure to secure the probe tip and a inch or so behind the probe tip on the wire. This will give the probe some strain relief and prevent a accidental tug from damaging the wire connection inside the probe tip. Also to clarify my comment about aluminum tape:

The reason aluminum tape shouldn't be used is because it acts like a heat sink to the ambient air. It gives the probe more surface area to the airflow going across it which makes its readings lower than if you use standard tape. Also the metal can act as a antenna for electrical interference with the data the sensor is providing (less common). Also if you are using aluminum tape on flexwatt you could be generating a hot spot that might be prone to failure. Plus its conductive so it could pose a shock hazard or increase the fire hazard should the tape ever fail.

-Dion

As kitedemon said the room temp is usually the biggest factor in good regulation. Flexwatt can only take you so far. Bumping the room temp 1 or 2 degrees higher can make a big difference. Keeping a setup away from a cold outside wall or away from a house vent or drafty door are other simple fixes that can work. I've also seen lamps pointed at the enclosures used on appliance timers to bump day temps up.

-Dion

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Originally Posted by cecilbturtle

oh, and correct me if i am wrong but whether you put the probe inside the enclosure or directly on the heat tape really shouldnt matter. the tape/heat source will have to emitt the same amount of heat to get the proper temps inside the enclosure. only the "set temp" will be different. it will have to be set higher if the probe is directly on the tape and set lower if inside the enclosure. but either way the heat will be the same depending on your animals specific requirements.

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When putting it directly on the heat tape many people do not realize the temp needs to be set higher than what you expect to get in the enclosure. Also when putting it on the heat tape you are only regulating the heat tape. So while your heat tape stays nice and regulated the ambient temperature of your is raising and lowering evertime your furnace or air conditioner stays on. Those changes will affect the temperature in your tubs as it may take more/less power to maintain your desired tub temp. The thermostat will not compensate because it is only regulating where the probe is (at the heat tape).

If the probe is in the tub then the ambient air changes wont matter as much because the thermostat knows what temp is in the tubs and will add/remove power as necessary.

-Dion

ahh....that makes perfect sense

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Originally Posted by spyderrobotics

The reason aluminum tape shouldn't be used is because it acts like a heat sink to the ambient air. It gives the probe more surface area to the airflow going across it which makes its readings lower than if you use standard tape. Also the metal can act as a antenna for electrical interference with the data the sensor is providing (less common). Also if you are using aluminum tape on flexwatt you could be generating a hot spot that might be prone to failure. Plus its conductive so it could pose a shock hazard or increase the fire hazard should the tape ever fail.

-Dion

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Wow I am so glad I created this thread, I've seen so many helpful ideas and so far I have been able to raise the temps. However I had NO idea aluminum tape shouldn't be used to tape down the probe, that is what I have on both of my racks. I am going to change this asap. And thanks Cecilbturtle for the flattering compliment :giggle: