Installing Flexwatt

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Originally Posted by Griggs2121

blah, I thought a regular thermostat would work. Looks like I'll be ordering one.

How about this one? Does this look like a good price?
http://www.reptilebasics.com/store/p...cat=250&page=1

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That will work to control one temperature gradient. How are you controlling the ambient temperature?

I've done business with Matt as well as the folks at Reptile Basics and the Bean Farm. Never had any issues with any of them.

Matt is definitely a good guy and wil provide you with phone support on your set-up if you need it.

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Originally Posted by shavemycoinpurse

That will work to control one temperature gradient. How are you controlling the ambient temperature?

I've done business with Matt as well as the folks at Reptile Basics and the Bean Farm. Never had any issues with any of them.

Matt is definitely a good guy and wil provide you with phone support on your set-up if you need it.

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I was just planning on the flexwatt being the source of heat.

flexwatt needs a thermostat to control temps, it will get too hot and is not designed to be used without a thermal safety control (thermostat) in this case. check out some of the links. the bean farm has alot in stock.

www.beanfarm.com


vaughn

Here's the link for Honeywell household thermostats. Yours should have come with instructions for installation but if not, or they are misplaced, this link should lead you to something. If you can't return it to Home Depot, may as well use it for the house. Even a simple digital like the one you bought will likely save you a bit on a year of heating costs since you can more closely adjust it.

http://www.honeywell-thermostat.com

I've used the Honeywell digital programmable ones before and over a year was quite pleased that they paid for themselves in lower fuel bills for the house.


~~Jo~~

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Originally Posted by Griggs2121

I was just planning on the flexwatt being the source of heat.

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If Flexwatt is your heating souce for both your warm and cool ends - then you'll need to place flexwatt under each end of the enclosure and wire each end seperately.

You'll need a thermostat to control each zone - so 2 Ranco or Johnson Controls, or you can opt for a unit that controls 2 temperature zones at once like the Herpstat 2.

Once everything is wired up set the warm end up at your desired temperature (mine is 92 F) and then adjust the cool end accordingly - you'll need to do some monitoring here because the warm end will contribute to the temperatures on the cool end.

I was thinking that the warm end would contribute enough for the cool end to be the correct temp without installing a second flexwatt in the same cage

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Originally Posted by Griggs2121

I was thinking that the warm end would contribute enough for the cool end to be the correct temp without installing a second flexwatt in the same cage

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My thought is that you would have to heat the warm end beyond your desired temperature to do this.

My 10 slot rack has 1 foot of 11" Flexwatt for belly heat on each shelf and the ambient temperature is maintained through a heater that heats my entire reptile room. My room temperature stays between 75-77 F and the ambient inside the racks on the cool end is around 82 F with my warm end temp set at 96 for the flexwatt for an effective temperature inside the rack of 92 at the warm end.

So effectively I am gaining about 5 degrees F from the warm end on the cool side.

Maybe I'll get a small space heater in my room near the cage. I figure it can even be on a timer so its not roasting hot at night, natural temp fall at night.

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Originally Posted by Griggs2121

Maybe I'll get a small space heater in my room near the cage. I figure it can even be on a timer so its not roasting hot at night, natural temp fall at night.

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You can pick up a Delonghi oil-filled electric radiator for around $40.00 This model actually lets you set temperature points, but you'll still have to calibrate your room temperature with your ambient cage temperature.

Unless you are breeding a night drop is not necessary.

Maybe I'll take a look at that one. I was just thinkin I'd like the space heater to turn off at night, when I'm trying to sleep =)