Need pics of how you have your probe placement

Hi All,

Can you please post a pic of how you have your probe placement on racks with backheat.

I am having alot of trouble getting my temps right and it would help to see how you all are doing it.

I just tape the probe directly to the flexwatt. Of course the thermostat setting will be much higher than the tub temps, but you adjust accordingly.

I do the same. I actually have to set my thermostat to 105 to get a hotspot of 85ish

For back heat, I place my probe on the middle shelf between the tub and flexwatt. I wanted the reading to be closer to the tub temp than the flexwatt. My thermostat is set to 100 and getting a 88-90 hot spot and 80-82 cool side. The actual flex is like 115 tho....

For belly heat, my probe is on the flexwatt as it isn't as hot as the back heat flexwatt.

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Originally Posted by satomi325

For back heat, I place my probe on the middle shelf between the tub and flexwatt. I wanted the reading to be closer to the tub temp than the flexwatt. My thermostat is set to 100 and getting a 88-90 hot spot and 80-82 cool side. The actual flex is like 115 tho....

For belly heat, my probe is on the flexwatt as it isn't as hot as the back heat flexwatt.

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So, what you are saying is to tape the probe to the shelf just behind the tub but directly in front of the heattape - but not touching it - is this correct.

The only problem I see is - I thought running the heattape at 115 wasn't recommended.

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Originally Posted by xdeus

I just tape the probe directly to the flexwatt. Of course the thermostat setting will be much higher than the tub temps, but you adjust accordingly.

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So, your saying that it doesn't matter what number is on the "thermostat" in order to obtain the desired temp - is this correct?? My thermostat will only go to 110 degrees - will that be enough to get a 90 degree hotside??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xdeus

I just tape the probe directly to the flexwatt. Of course the thermostat setting will be much higher than the tub temps, but you adjust accordingly.

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Have you actually checked the temp directly on your heattape with your temp gun - Im just curious because mine will read 115 or greater.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by L.West

So, what you are saying is to tape the probe to the shelf just behind the tub but directly in front of the heattape - but not touching it - is this correct.

The only problem I see is - I thought running the heattape at 115 wasn't recommended.

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It's not. But its still safer than belly heat being that hot. The only way to decrease the flexwatt temp is to increase the room temp.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by L.West

So, your saying that it doesn't matter what number is on the "thermostat" in order to obtain the desired temp - is this correct?? My thermostat will only go to 110 degrees - will that be enough to get a 90 degree hotside??

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Yes. What your thermostat reads is not what the actual tub temps are.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by L.West

Have you actually checked the temp directly on your heattape with your temp gun - Im just curious because mine will read 115 or greater.

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Mines about the same as yours

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To Satomi - you are not concerned with the flexwatt running that hot?? I can achieve the correct temps in my tub with the Helix at 105 which gives me a 90 hot side 80 cool side - but my actual flexwatt is running at 115 and recently Rich from RBI thought that was a bad thing.

Your thoughts.

I think your room might be a little cool. Backheat isn't very efficient, so if you have a cool room you may want to think about adding a space heater or belly heat to your rack. I keep my snake building at around 70F-75F all year, but I also use belly heat.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by L.West

To Satomi - you are not concerned with the flexwatt running that hot?? I can achieve the correct temps in my tub with the Helix at 105 which gives me a 90 hot side 80 cool side - but my actual flexwatt is running at 115 and recently Rich from RBI thought that was a bad thing.

Your thoughts.

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My snakeroom is always at no less than 80 degrees - I run an oil filled heater.

That is why I am sooo confused with having this issue - I shouldn't be having this problem.

Your gradient is 80-90F in an 80F room? That does sound odd. Do you have a closed or open rack? I assume you have the 11" flexwatt?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by L.West

My snakeroom is always at no less than 80 degrees - I run an oil filled heater.

That is why I am sooo confused with having this issue - I shouldn't be having this problem.

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To be more precise my gradient tends to run 90/82

I have a closed RBI Rack - with 11" backheat.

Thanks

Personally, I would install belly heat in addition to the back heat. If you're not up for that project, you can try insulating the rack using either the styrofoam board found at Home Depot/Lowes or radiant insulation like Reflectix also found at Home Depot. Good luck!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by L.West

To be more precise my gradient tends to run 90/82

I have a closed RBI Rack - with 11" backheat.

Thanks

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My house is about 77 degrees most of the time. I have my rack set up with belly heat and the probe attached directly to the tape. I run a herpstat and set it pretty close to what I want to achieve. I set it at 90 and get a 91 degree hot spot in the tub measured with my IR gun. THe cool end as a result of radiant heat moving across the gradient ends up being about 80.

Ok now I am confused. You have 82/90 currently? What is the problem? Are you trying to drop the max temp of the flexwatt?

I too have read tech info from Calorique that stated not to run their product over 110 for extended periods. I have not tried to use back heat my snake room is quite cool and I have needed to insulate the rack and run 4 inch and 17 inch to hold proper temps.

I suspect that if you wish to drop the flexwatt temp you will need to use belly heat. I have my temp set to 94 and get 91-89 in the rack (different levels) I would suggest that a fail safe is the best option to insure the safety of your collection. You might also look to different wattage flexwatt to further increase safety margin the lower wattage's for a given size have a lower max temp. My rack unregulated produces 100/87 this is scary high temps but is tolerable for the snakes for a short period of time.

Personally in my racks with back heat I like to have an empty tub with my tstat probe in that tub. This gets my tub temps at what I set the tstat to. I do have a space heater to heat the room also. I have boaphile PVC racks...

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