how hot do i set me thermostat for ball pythons?

So I just bought a rack at the expo I went to today, just curios how hot do I set the temp to on my herpstat 1? thanks guys!

You need to set the thermostat to whatever temperature that achieves a 88-92 degree hot side in the tubs. Where is your thermostat probe located?

Do you know how to change settings on the herpstat one, or do you need help with that?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

You need to set the thermostat to whatever temperature that achieves a 88-92 degree hot side in the tubs. Where is your thermostat probe located?

Do you know how to change settings on the herpstat one, or do you need help with that?

---

We should be good on setting it up, I did not buy a temp gun will I be ok for a little wwhile until I purchase one?

Do you have any sort of thermometer?

Is the thermostat probe placed directly on the heat tape, it is inside a tub? Somewhere else? Where the probe is varies exactly how it is set up.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Do you have any sort of thermometer?

Is the thermostat probe placed directly on the heat tape, it is inside a tub? Somewhere else? Where the probe is varies exactly how it is set up.

---

Should I be placing the probs on the heat tape before I program the herpstat? It will be on the second shelf out of 4 shelfs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skilla6000

Should I be placing the probs on the heat tape before I program the herpstat? It will be on the second shelf out of 4 shelfs.

---

You can set it up first, but you are going to have to adjust the settings once everything is setup as well.

I would suggest you use the following base settings:

Output Mode: heat (dimming) aka proportional

Daytime Temperature: 95 F

Night Drop: off

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

You can set it up first, but you are going to have to adjust the settings once everything is setup as well.

I would suggest you use the following base settings:

Output Mode: heat (dimming) aka proportional

Daytime Temperature: 95 F

Night Drop: off

---

I've got it set up but the heat tape is not getting hot hot, I have it set @ 95 and its nothing like my other 1, any ideas?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skilla6000

I've got it set up but the heat tape is not getting hot hot, I have it set @ 95 and its nothing like my other 1, any ideas?

---

sorry, the heat tape is getting hot but the bins are not, the rack is from greg west.

You are probably going to have to increase the daytime temperature setting on the herpstat. Without any sort of thermometer this process is going to be very difficult.

What style rack is this, what size tubs does it have, and what brand tubs?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

You are probably going to have to increase the daytime temperature setting on the herpstat. Without any sort of thermometer this process is going to be very difficult.

What style rack is this, what size tubs does it have, and what brand tubs?

---

13.5 Qt bins, and they're just stacking bins, as it says on the front of the bin, its for juiv balls.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skilla6000

13.5 Qt bins, and they're just stacking bins, as it says on the front of the bin, its for juiv balls.

---

should I take the probs off the heat tape and put it in the bin, wait for the heat it reads, then set it to the right temp? ill be sure to buy a temp gun asap.

Basically you are going to have to slowly increase the daytime temperature on the herpstat until the tub is the right temperature. Without a thermometer that will be hard to get exactly right. Increase the temperature 2-3 degrees at a time then wait at least 20-30 minute before checking again and adjusting. It takes time for the heat to penetrate the tub.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Basically you are going to have to slowly increase the daytime temperature on the herpstat until the tub is the right temperature. Without a thermometer that will be hard to get exactly right. Increase the temperature 2-3 degrees at a time then wait at least 20-30 minute before checking again and adjusting. It takes time for the heat to penetrate the tub.

---

I've put it right on the tub its self, the herpstat is set at 95 and the tub is reading 85.7, i'll let it sit for a bit. and for some reason the energy thing on the side is being used 100% on a 8 bin rack.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skilla6000

I've put it right on the tub its self, the herpstat is set at 95 and the tub is reading 85.7, i'll let it sit for a bit. and for some reason the energy thing on the side is being used 100% on a 8 bin rack.

---

sorry for being so annoying : / we removed the probe off the heat tape its self, now the heat tape is getting hotter almost instantly is the electrical tape cutting it off or something? I don't know what to do.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skilla6000

sorry for being so annoying : / we removed the probe off the heat tape its self, now the heat tape is getting hotter almost instantly is the electrical tape cutting it off or something? I don't know what to do.

---

is it suppose to be using 100% or what ever it is right beside the temp displayed on the herpstat? I removed the electrical tape from the heat tape and its working perfectly fine now... and ofcourse, I was un prepared and have a few snakes in the rack...

Here is what you need to do.

The herpstat will run the heat source at 100% power until the set temperature is achieved. This is normal behavior.

Stop moving the probe, and let the rack heat up. This takes time.

1. Attach the herpstat's probe (using hot glue/electrical tape/etc. Just don't use aluminum foil tape.) to the heat tape on the middle level of the rack

2. Get some sort of thermometer and stick it directly over the heat tape inside the tub on the middle level.

3. Adjust the daytime temperature on the herpstat until your thermometer reads somewhere between 88-92

You CANNOT have snakes in this rack right now.

If you don't have a thermometer go to walmart and pick this up for $12

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...3.jpg~original

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Here is what you need to do.

The herpstat will run the heat source at 100% power until the set temperature is achieved. This is normal behavior.

Stop moving the probe, and let the rack heat up. This takes time.

1. Attach the herpstat's probe (using hot glue/electrical tape/etc. Just don't use aluminum foil tape.) to the heat tape on the middle level of the rack

2. Get some sort of thermometer and stick it directly over the heat tape inside the tub on the middle level.

3. Adjust the daytime temperature on the herpstat until your thermometer reads somewhere between 88-92

You CANNOT have snakes in this rack right now.

If you don't have a thermometer go to walmart and pick this up for $12

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...3.jpg~original

---

so it's normal for the herpstat to be jumping from 0% to 100% and different &% in the middle of those to? I just don't get it, we are placing electrical tape on it and its like the heat tape is getting cut off, and as for the snakes I don't have a place for them just this rack.

Here is what's happening.

The herpstat applies full power until the set temperature has been reached. At this point the power level is reduced to maintain the set temperature. If the thermostat sees that the probe is reading or about to read a temperature over the set temperature it will reduce the power to 0% to try to prevent the heat tape from getting hotter than the set temperature.

You are going to have to keep a very close eye on them until you get this set up properly.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skilla6000

so it's normal for the herpstat to be jumping from 0% to 100% and different &% in the middle of those to? I just don't get it, we are placing electrical tape on it and its like the heat tape is getting cut off, and as for the snakes I don't have a place for them just this rack.

---

it's working, but when we put the tape on it cuts the heat right down to very low temps, but still displays 95 degrees, on the probe those little holes, do they have to be uncovered or can tape be over them? I think that's are problem.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skilla6000

it's working, but when we put the tape on it cuts the heat right down to very low temps, but still displays 95 degrees, on the probe those little holes, do they have to be uncovered or can tape be over them? I think that's are problem.

---

The holes on the probe don't matter at all, they are just part of the rubber. They can be covered no problem.

I think I know what's going on now:

When you actually tape the probe to the heat tape it is holding the probe closer to the heat tape. This increases contact is giving the herpstat a better reading of the heat tapes actual temperature. Because the heat tape is hotter than the thermostat thought it was it is cutting power to lower the heat tapes temperature.

What is the herpstat's probe actually reading?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

The holes on the probe don't matter at all, they are just part of the rubber. They can be covered no problem.

---

do you happen to know why when we put the electrical tape on the heat tape the temps drop almost 10 degrees?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skilla6000

do you happen to know why when we put the electrical tape on the heat tape the temps drop almost 10 degrees?

---

The tape is colder than the heat tape

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

The tape is colder than the heat tape

---

we had it on there for abit and the heat tape its self is cold, then when we took the tape off the heat tape just got hotter and went to the right temps, I have to thank you so much for your help, hope i'm not annoying you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skilla6000

we had it on there for abit and the heat tape its self is cold, then when we took the tape off the heat tape just got hotter and went to the right temps, I have to thank you so much for your help, hope i'm not annoying you.

---

What was the herpstat's probe reading before and after you moved it?

What was the power level percentage before and after?

How is the heat tape run in this rack? Is it all one big strip or is is multiple pieces plugged into a power strip. What type of connections does the heat tape have? (Soldered/crimped/riveted)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skilla6000

we had it on there for abit and the heat tape its self is cold, then when we took the tape off the heat tape just got hotter and went to the right temps, I have to thank you so much for your help, hope i'm not annoying you.

---

we might have it solved, if not i'll repost in 20 mins

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

What was the herpstat's probe reading before and after you moved it?

What was the power level percentage before and after?

How is the heat tape run in this rack? Is it all one big strip or is is multiple pieces plugged into a power strip. What type of connections does the heat tape have? (Soldered/crimped/riveted)

---

when we had the probe on the tape taped there it was at about maybe 75-80 but it was reading 92, when the tape was off it was warm and felt about 92, we put the tape back on and now the heat tape is not getting hot again, should I just leave the probe sitting on the tape for tonight?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skilla6000

when we had the probe on the tape taped there it was at about maybe 75-80 but it was reading 92, when the tape was off it was warm and felt about 92, we put the tape back on and now the heat tape is not getting hot again, should I just leave the probe sitting on the tape for tonight?

---

Probably.

Can you post some pictures of the entire setup?

ideally pictures of:

1. rack

2. heat tape connections

3. probe on heat tape

If the tape is affecting the heat tape getting hot then you could possibly have defective heat tape? I haven't heard anything like that before but I guess anything is possible.

I generally set my thermostat to 93-94 and that gives me 89 inside the tubs. My rack system was built by Chris(C Serpents). I would honestly contact the person you got it from just to ask questions as he may have some insight that we cannot offer.

I take some pics and upload them in a few mins, sorry I did not update you guy last night was up at 5 am and it was ready 12 trying to do pics now.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skilla6000

I take some pics and upload them in a few mins, sorry I did not update you guy last night was up at 5 am and it was ready 12 trying to do pics now.

---

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/8972/0rb9.png
http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/1831/u0yv.png
http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/6707/a4o5.png
This is how I have everything setup, the white electrical tape is making the heat on the heat tape reduce a lot, honestly im not sure what to do. the person I bought it from is vending again today at the expo.

Nice rack, who did you get it from?

Also here are a few suggestions, as I also use racks.

• Visit Home Depot/Lowes and get the reflective tape(holds up against heat)
• Instead of having the probe right there on the bottom where your tub slides it, put it on the side right before it curves. It will be out the way of the tub then.

I'm not sure what that little styrofoam thing is, but that's possibly meant to be removed as the tape is recessed into the wood so your tub doesn't hit it. This is why the probe should be on the side versus the bottom.

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/4429/nuok.jpg

See how I have mine?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Neal

Nice rack, who did you get it from?

Also here are a few suggestions, as I also use racks.

• Visit Home Depot/Lowes and get the reflective tape(holds up against heat)
• Instead of having the probe right there on the bottom where your tub slides it, put it on the side right before it curves. It will be out the way of the tub then.

I'm not sure what that little styrofoam thing is, but that's possibly meant to be removed as the tape is recessed into the wood so your tub doesn't hit it. This is why the probe should be on the side versus the bottom.

---

the "white" is the electrical tape, its white tape, I got the rack from greg west @ cornels world, when I remove the electrical tape it gets hot, and for the probe being there, the tub does not hit it as the heat tape is lowered just a tad, and the bins are raised so the probe slides nicely under it. im not sure what to do at this point, getting a temp gun today.

if you're talking about the thing in the middle, that's a piece of wood for the tub to slide on so it does not fall down and damage the heat tape as it is lowered just a tad

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skilla6000

the "white" is the electrical tape, its white tape, I got the rack from greg west @ cornels world, when I remove the electrical tape it gets hot, and for the probe being there, the tub does not hit it as the heat tape is lowered just a tad, and the bins are raised so the probe slides nicely under it. im not sure what to do at this point, getting a temp gun today.

---

Still, you want it on the side. unless that styrofoam thing is needed to have a small gap so nothing can escape. I'm pretty sure Chris is one of the best guys in the industries and there is a reason he gives that reflective heat tape, because it's really good to use, better than electrical tape and all that.

I'm trying to offer you advice but if you're going to reject it then I won't offer anymore advice. That other type of tape you're using will not hold up, this reflective heat tape holds up. I've used it to hold stuff in place where a screw broke under the hood of a truck and never had it come undone.

Change the tape, it's worth a shot to see if it fixes your problem and relocate your probe. That's the same advice you'll get from other people.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skilla6000

if you're talking about the thing in the middle, that's a piece of wood for the tub to slide on so it does not fall down and damage the heat tape as it is lowered just a tad

---

Honestly, this rather shows me that he's not as good as other people who make racks. Chris doesn't use any wood to slide stuff over because he recesses his heat tape inside the racks so the tubs slide right over, this also helps you get the inside of the tub at the proper temp. That big gap causes more of a heat loss so you'll have to turn the thermostat up higher to get the appropriate temps and I can almost guarantee you that the tape you're using will lose it's stickiness.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Neal

Still, you want it on the side. unless that styrofoam thing is needed to have a small gap so nothing can escape. I'm pretty sure Chris is one of the best guys in the industries and there is a reason he gives that reflective heat tape, because it's really good to use, better than electrical tape and all that.

I'm trying to offer you advice but if you're going to reject it then I won't offer anymore advice. That other type of tape you're using will not hold up, this reflective heat tape holds up. I've used it to hold stuff in place where a screw broke under the hood of a truck and never had it come undone.

Change the tape, it's worth a shot to see if it fixes your problem and relocate your probe. That's the same advice you'll get from other people.

---

I'm not "rejecting" your advice, so you suggest I should try using a heat reflective tape? I'm not sure where I can find it but i'll look around.

I'm going to attach my probe to the side of the heat tape going up and see how its going to work.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Neal

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/4429/nuok.jpg

See how I have mine?

---

So, I took your advice and I moved the probe right to the side like you have yours and the electrical tape is not affecting it at all, thanks for the advice man, I still wonder why when I put the electrical tape in the place I had it before it cuts the heat tape right down in temps, thank you 2 for helping me.