Stupid Rat messed up my Thermostat

So i left a small rat in my snakes enclosure overnight nd when i got home the thermostat was reading E3 nd i checked the cord and it was all chewed up last time i leave a rat in an enclosure overnight :(


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You can buy a new probe from Helix and they are like 20.00 + shipping. Had a rat get loose in my snake room and chew one up and good..

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Originally Posted by Sgpython

So i left a small rat in my snakes enclosure overnight nd when i got home the thermostat was reading E3 nd i checked the cord and it was all chewed up last time i leave a rat in an enclosure overnight :(


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Well that is only one reason you shouldn't leave a rat in with your snake. What if the rat decided to chew on your snake instead?

Use Google images to see what a feeder can do to a snake with left alone.

Thank god it was just the thermostat and not your snake. Seriously guys, I don't understand why this is still a conversation we need to have.

I know, people are learning every day, and that's great, but .... it's just frustrating.

if you can find out what kind of temperature probe the manufacturer has used, if there is a product number on the probe, you can try to get the right spare part cheaply:

www.digikey.com <-- for manufacturers and electronics engineers and electronics prototyping supplies, they have thousands of temp probes. yep, thousands. you just need to find one that is the same, or that is exactly equivalent.

apart from that, different companies use different temperature probes from different suppliers and with different characteristics. so you cannot just buy a temp probe from any supplier, it needs to be exactly the right one, compatible with your thermostat. so that one from helix for 20 dollars that freaky_frog suggests may not be the right one. the supplyer of your thermostat is the first adress to go to, hopefully they have the right spare part, or can at least tell you the correct technical data on the probe. with the right data, you can again try digikey.

I left it in there because i had to work i guess my lil guy wasnt hungry but this is gon be the last time i do this



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@pythonfriend thankss man :)


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Originally Posted by Pythonfriend

if you can find out what kind of temperature probe the manufacturer has used, if there is a product number on the probe, you can try to get the right spare part cheaply:

www.digikey.com <-- for manufacturers and electronics engineers and electronics prototyping supplies, they have thousands of temp probes. yep, thousands. you just need to find one that is the same, or that is exactly equivalent.

apart from that, different companies use different temperature probes from different suppliers and with different characteristics. so you cannot just buy a temp probe from any supplier, it needs to be exactly the right one, compatible with your thermostat. so that one from helix for 20 dollars that freaky_frog suggests may not be the right one. the supplyer of your thermostat is the first adress to go to, hopefully they have the right spare part, or can at least tell you the correct technical data on the probe. with the right data, you can again try digikey.

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Error code E3 told FreakieFrog that it was a Helix tstat that was being used.

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Originally Posted by KMG

Error code E3 told FreakyFrog that it was a Helix tstat that was being used.

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Well that was what my Helix's read when a probe goes out. Just a educated guess really.

I have a hydrofarmm


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Never ever leave a rat in with snake.... feed when you don't have to leave... I'm glad it ate the cord and not your snake! :mad:

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Originally Posted by Sgpython

I have a hydrofarmm


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Best just go buy you a new thermostat then as affordable as those are.

Also, the thermostat probe should be on the outside of the enclosure.

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Originally Posted by thejenius77

Also, the thermostat probe should be on the outside of the enclosure.

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Why's that?

Because if the probe would get dislodged for any reason, your thermostat will read wrong & your UTH could end up seeing 120 degrees. Attach it to the UTH on the outside.

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The thermoMETER probe should be on the inside, over the UTH.

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Originally Posted by thejenius77

Because if the probe would get dislodged for any reason, your thermostat will read wrong & your UTH could end up seeing 120 degrees. Attach it to the UTH on the outside.

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Good on ya..:gj::gj::gj::gj:

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Originally Posted by thejenius77

The thermoMETER probe should be on the inside, over the UTH.

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if we want to be ultra precise, often the probe does not actually contain a thermometer. most often they use a device that will change its electric resistance with temperature. the electronics then measure that value, and do a calculation to arrive at the temperature. and according to wikipedia, there are 3 common classes of such devices, each with different subtypes and designs and different prices and temperature ranges and different degrees of precision. thermistors, silicon bandgap temperature sensors and resistance temperature detectors .

maybe, if the whole thermostat is quite inexpensive, buying a new one really isnt a bad idea. i would first ask hydrofarm directly.

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Originally Posted by Pythonfriend

if we want to be ultra precise, often the probe does not actually contain a thermometer. most often they use a device that will change its electric resistance with temperature. the electronics then measure that value, and do a calculation to arrive at the temperature. and according to wikipedia, there are 3 common classes of such devices, each with different subtypes and designs and different prices and temperature ranges and different degrees of precision. thermistors, silicon bandgap temperature sensors and resistance temperature detectors .

maybe, if the whole thermostat is quite inexpensive, buying a new one really isnt a bad idea. i would first ask hydrofarm directly.

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Well since the unit I'm talking about is sold as a "thermoMETER", I'll leave it at that. Why complicate things for no reason?

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Originally Posted by Pythonfriend

if we want to be ultra precise, often the probe does not actually contain a thermometer. most often they use a device that will change its electric resistance with temperature. the electronics then measure that value, and do a calculation to arrive at the temperature. and according to wikipedia, there are 3 common classes of such devices, each with different subtypes and designs and different prices and temperature ranges and different degrees of precision. thermistors, silicon bandgap temperature sensors and resistance temperature detectors .

maybe, if the whole thermostat is quite inexpensive, buying a new one really isnt a bad idea. i would first ask hydrofarm directly.

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Why post this in a thread that the OP just learned not to leave a rat in a snake cage and to place the tstat probe outside the cage? Do you really think the OP is ready for this or that it is even needed?

The best thing the OP can do from this is change how the probe is set up and buy a good tstat.

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Originally Posted by KMG

Why post this in a thread that the OP just learned not to leave a rat in a snake cage and to place the tstat probe outside the cage? Do you really think the OP is ready for this or that it is even needed?

The best thing the OP can do from this is change how the probe is set up and buy a good tstat.

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no offense, but i do not have the impression that fixing the damage caused by the rat would not be part of this thread. if you prefer to throw away stuff just because 1 replaceable part of it is broken, thats your decision, the OP found my advice to be helpful.

fixing electronics is my hobby, and instructing others on how to fix electronics using spare parts / replacement parts was part of my last job and will most likely be part of my next job. so its second nature to me, when i hear about broken electronics and know how to fix it, i try to be helpful.

of course having a live feeder with sharp teeth in with the snake without watching it is a bad mistake. but others already pointed that out. and when you know that this specific thermostat is no good (i dont, i just know how to fix it), then go ahead and give that advice.

I had a Hydrofarm and it died in only a few months which told me it was not quality enough to fix or rely on to keep my pets safe. I trashed it and my recommendations for them.

Dumb move leaving a rat in a tank with a BP over night...as a BP owner you should know better,if not you need to do a lot more reading up on these snakes

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Originally Posted by Pythonfriend

if we want to be ultra precise, often the probe does not actually contain a thermometer. most often they use a device that will change its electric resistance with temperature. the electronics then measure that value, and do a calculation to arrive at the temperature. and according to wikipedia, there are 3 common classes of such devices, each with different subtypes and designs and different prices and temperature ranges and different degrees of precision. thermistors, silicon bandgap temperature sensors and resistance temperature detectors .

maybe, if the whole thermostat is quite inexpensive, buying a new one really isnt a bad idea. i would first ask hydrofarm directly.

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Quit trying so hard. It just seems worse when you are 100% incorrect.
The device she mentions is accurately called a thermometer, which has a probe. This makes "thermometer probe" a perfect description of the device and part of the device she was referring to.

I will point out probe placement can be done other ways. For UTH's and heat tape, I concur that outside is likely the easiest and least problematic way to go but, with lamps. CHE's and RHP, I personally would be more inclined to go with the thermostat probe in the enclosure and secured.
Further, I would give it a 50-50 as to the OP using either a UHT or a lamp as a heat source.

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Originally Posted by Raven01

I will point out probe placement can be done other ways. For UTH's and heat tape, I concur that outside is likely the easiest and least problematic way to go but, with lamps. CHE's and RHP, I personally would be more inclined to go with the thermostat probe in the enclosure and secured.

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While this makes sense, a t-stat or thermometer probe for a CHE or RHP can be placed inside the enclosure and secured somewhere the snake won't move it or pee on it. That's just not going to work when regulating a UTH.

Were can i get the replacement parts for the hydrofarm?


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Originally Posted by Sgpython

Were can i get the replacement parts for the hydrofarm?


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Honestly, I don't know that it's even worth bothering to try to repair it. That's a "consumer grade" item, meaning that if something breaks, you toss it and replace the whole unit. Even if you can find parts, I don't think it would be cost effective to try fixing it.

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Wow you got so lucky that it only chewed on the Thermonstat cord. No need to ever leave a live rat/mouse in with a snake. especially not one that big.

Were can i find a rheostat for now till i get another thermostat


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if you search ebay you can find a new probe piece. I say ( not tried ) but any probe can be used it just a thermo coupler device that used. As for people trashing this brand over that brand. I have found that most failures are the result of the cheapest part in the unit be it a simple relay or a resistor( spelling ) with some of these over night companies flooding a market with parts it not shocking that some end up in our produces. and fail cause they were not up to the level they should be. I replaced several small parts on video cards and other pieces over the years due to the part being below standards. it hard to find parts sometimes but it doable..

and a real simple fix for the probe is if there enough unchewed section near the probe . it take some wire and go to radio shack and see if they can get you some and just make a new cord if you can use a soldering gun .just match the red wire to the red wire. but make sure to test it before use and to tape the wire joints up so they don't short out.

Even if you had to go to work, please do not leave a rat in a snake enclosure unless it is already dead. I've seen a lot of nasty pictures where the rat chewed on the snake and it isn't funny at all. Please do not do this again and be responsible - your snakes are counting on you.

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Originally Posted by mechnut450

if you search ebay you can find a new probe piece. I say ( not tried ) but any probe can be used it just a thermo coupler device that used. As for people trashing this brand over that brand. I have found that most failures are the result of the cheapest part in the unit be it a simple relay or a resistor( spelling ) with some of these over night companies flooding a market with parts it not shocking that some end up in our produces. and fail cause they were not up to the level they should be. I replaced several small parts on video cards and other pieces over the years due to the part being below standards. it hard to find parts sometimes but it doable..

and a real simple fix for the probe is if there enough unchewed section near the probe . it take some wire and go to radio shack and see if they can get you some and just make a new cord if you can use a soldering gun .just match the red wire to the red wire. but make sure to test it before use and to tape the wire joints up so they don't short out.

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If you're going that route, spend a few cents more and get some heat shrink to cover the solder joint. Only amateurs use tape.

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Originally Posted by KMG

I had a Hydrofarm and it died in only a few months which told me it was not quality enough to fix or rely on to keep my pets safe. I trashed it and my recommendations for them.

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I've had some hydrofarm stats for well over 3 years now, no failures. Must've been a bum one you got, KMG.

Hydrofarm thermostats are cheaper to replace, than outright fix. It looks like you'd have to disassemble the whole darn thing anyways in order to attempt repairing the probe, if the whole wire has gone bad. Besides getting one from Amazon, I've found them locally in Arizona at my local hydroponics store.

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Originally Posted by thejenius77

The thermoMETER probe should be on the inside, over the UTH.

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Would you mind showing a picture of what you're talking about so I can get a better idea? I want to make sure I got mine set up properly. Now I'm second-guessing myself. :(


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Originally Posted by Lubana

Would you mind showing a picture of what you're talking about so I can get a better idea? I want to make sure I got mine set up properly. Now I'm second-guessing myself. :(


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When using a UTH controlled by a thermostat many people recommend placing the thermostat's probe directly on the UTH outside of the cage for safety reasons. This however requires you you have a probed thermometer inside the cage to monitor the cage temperature so you know what to set your thermostat to.

Thermostat probe attached to the UTH on the outside of the cage:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...4.jpg~original

Thermostat:

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

Thermometer inside the cage measuring temperature:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...9.jpg~original

Thermometer:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...8.jpg~original

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Originally Posted by mechnut450

if you search ebay you can find a new probe piece. I say ( not tried ) but any probe can be used it just a thermo coupler device that used. As for people trashing this brand over that brand. I have found that most failures are the result of the cheapest part in the unit be it a simple relay or a resistor( spelling ) with some of these over night companies flooding a market with parts it not shocking that some end up in our produces. and fail cause they were not up to the level they should be. I replaced several small parts on video cards and other pieces over the years due to the part being below standards. it hard to find parts sometimes but it doable..

and a real simple fix for the probe is if there enough unchewed section near the probe . it take some wire and go to radio shack and see if they can get you some and just make a new cord if you can use a soldering gun .just match the red wire to the red wire. but make sure to test it before use and to tape the wire joints up so they don't short out.

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This post is wrong on so many levels.

First off you cannot just replace a probe with any one you find on the internet. You have to find one that is comparable with the thermostat. There are 2 main groups of probes, analog ones and digital ones. From there things break down into many subgroups. Then you have to find one that runs on the right voltage and and provides data in the proper range/format for the thermostat.

Second depending on what type of probe the thermostat uses simply getting new wire and soldering it back together may not work. If the probe is sending digital signals it should work, but with an analog probe it might cause incorrect readings. This is because on most analog probes data is interpreted in volts, amps, or (most likely) resistance. By changing the wire and adding soldered joints you are very likely going to change the electrical properties of the probe. (most likely adding resistance) this is bad because the thermostat will appear to be working but it might be reading incorrect temperatures from its probe.

Thermostats aren't something to mess around or cheap out on. In a case like this it's best to just replace the entire unit. More expensive thermostats like herpstats have replaceable probes and replacements can be ordered straight from the spyder robotics site. This is just one of the many reasons why they are worth the extra money.

Soldering iron, heat shrink tubing, and for good measure a bit of liquid electrical tape, and it will be waterproof. I have a feeling that finding the part, and paying for it and shipping will have you close to the cost of a new t-stat.

Just remember that soldering in line will change the resistance from the probe.
That's going to be my only comment on this post because we all learn at different speeds and some evidently slower than others.

I would splice it and have environmental shielding or sleeve around the splice over soldering it. Splices are cheap and make for the best repair option


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