Reptile basics radianT heat panel not heating enough??

I just got two new 40 watt panels, set them up on the lids of my steralite 25 gallon containers, but can't seem to get over 80 degrees. I am thinking either they sent the 20 watt version by mistake or something else is wrong. I am using their dimmed thermometer VE200D... Also using an external probed thermometer to double check. Any ideas?

How tall are these containers? The taller the container the lower the ground temperature will be.

The 28 Watt panels are a good bit smaller than the 40 watt panels. The 40 Watt panels are 12.5 inches square, while the 28 watt panels are rectangular (12 x 9)

It's these http://www.amazon.com/Sterilite-25-G.../dp/B006WW8RHS

What is the thermostat set at? Where is the probe located? is the thermostat running them at full power consistently trying to achieve the set temperature, but can't?

Yeah, it's at the very bottom. Putting a box and probe /thermostat reads 90

So the thermostat probe is at the bottom of the tub, heat panel at the top. The thermostat is set to 90 and the thermostat probe is reading 90, but your probed thermometer is reading a much lower temperature. Did I interpret everything correctly?

If so then I suspect that your probed thermometer is bad, or your thermostat probe needs to be replaced. A 40 watt panel is more than enough to heat a your tub. One of your temperature probes must be off.

can you post some pictures??

Radiant heat panels heat objects not the air. What are you using for substrate? While testing my panels at first I could not get my panels up to correct temps until I added substrate and objects ( hides, water dishes etc.) Its the objects that actually give off the heat , in turn raising surrounding air temps.

Are trying to heat through the top? If so that is your issue you are just heating the top nothing else. It is also stated in the instructions that laying the unit face down on an object is hard on the unit and does nothing.

The panel is attached to the inside of the lid, face down, using the screws provided. Not trying to heat through the lid like I would with heat pads.

I did put some things in there but my new solution is to buy a smaller tub and place inside to give the option of climbing up and getting hotter temps.

The 40 watt should be plenty for that tub unless it is in a very cool room.
I would start by trying one of the panels just plugged into the wall in one of the tubs for about 20 minutes or so and see what you get. Take the animal out first of course. That will tell you what your base line is and we can go from there.

It sounds like you room is quite cool. What are your ambient temps like?


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