Heat mat isn't hot enough.

I bought a 12 watt, 11x11 inch habistat heat mat and attached it to my thermostat, but so far it doesn't seem to have gotten any warmer than 20C. Is it just working incorrectly, or is the wattage is too low? I think I need to buy a new one, can anyone suggest a wattage or brand to get? (Or give some suggestions).

(FYI: I have an EVO LITE thermostat and have messed around with the temps, setting it higher than it should be, but so far nothing over 21C.)

A mat is only for a hot spot so I hope you are not trying to raise the ambient temperature.
Your thermostat probe shoupd be between the glass an mat.
You should be taking your temperarure under the substrate.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

A mat is only for a hot spot so I hope you are not trying to raise the ambient temperature.
Your thermostat probe shoupd be between the glass an mat.
You should be taking your temperarure under the substrate.

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Thanks for the fast reply!

The ground temp is reading at about 24C. The thermostat probe is right on the bottom of the RUB (no substrate or towels in atm, just doing a test run before S-Day). This is on the hot side, right above the heat mat.

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Originally Posted by Marzipan

Thanks for the fast reply!

The ground temp is reading at about 24C. The thermostat probe is right on the bottom of the RUB (no substrate or towels in atm, just doing a test run before S-Day). This is on the hot side, right above the heat mat.

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What are you using to test the temperature incidentally ?!
Most of the heat mats I've ever tested easily reached 30C+.

Presumably , the heat mat is on a unit , then the rub placed over the heat mat ?

How much space between the mat and the rub ?!?

Just wondering if the some of the heat is escaping sideways .

I've seen similar reports and they got round it by putting tin foil under the mat to reflect some of the heat up towards the tub .

I've read about one bloke who put a magazine under the heat mat just to reduce the gap between the mat rub ....


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I am using a white python thermometer and hygrometer currently placed on the floor of the vivarium until my proper thermometer with probes comes. I moved stuff around a little and it's now measuring at 26C, but I want to get it to 33C (I believe that is the correct heat).

It could be that I need a better thermometer though, I don't think it's very good. I also moved my thermostat probe more to the centre rather than the edges and it's gone up to 24C. I put the setpoint to 33 though it's not hit that heat. I feel I am missing a trick here that would click everything into place, but I don't know exactly what it is...

I've been wondering about a situation like this! You actually answered a question I was musing about in a thread I just posted lol. I assumed but wasn't sure if heaters had temp set points.

Let us know if you get different readings when your other thermometer arrives. I'm also starting to wonder if it's a thermometer issue. What are the dimensions of your viv? Any areas you suspect heat is escaping?

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Originally Posted by Marzipan

I am using a white python thermometer and hygrometer currently placed on the floor of the vivarium until my proper thermometer with probes comes. I moved stuff around a little and it's now measuring at 26C, but I want to get it to 33C (I believe that is the correct heat).

It could be that I need a better thermometer though, I don't think it's very good. I also moved my thermostat probe more to the centre rather than the edges and it's gone up to 24C. I put the setpoint to 33 though it's not hit that heat. I feel I am missing a trick here that would click everything into place, but I don't know exactly what it is...

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If it's stand alone thermometer or one of those stick on the side ones - they're basically useless for this purpose - they just read the ambient air temps .

I'm guessing the surface temp over the mat will 'actually' be 30C+ in reality

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

If it's stand alone thermometer or one of those stick on the side ones - they're basically useless for this purpose - they just read the ambient air temps .

I'm guessing the surface temp over the mat will 'actually' be 30C+ in reality

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I'm making a mental note of this for future reference! What thermometers would be best/would you recommend?

These are 3 dollars off eBay .http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2017...66e64af4ba.jpg

ALSO

These digital temp guns are a must for checking random 'surface' temps - 12 dollars off eBay ..

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2017...460ed2c114.jpg

Good news! It's reading 28C right now, and that's just on the bad thermometer I've got. One of my relatives is coming over lately with the infrared gun though so I can properly read the temperatures. I've also ordered a probe thermometer as well.

I think it was a combination of two things (other than having a bad thermometer): the radiators in my house being off, and the box needing more time to heat up properly. Hopefully I will perfect the art of temperatures soon though!

I think I got confused because my thermostat probe inside the RUB is reading at 25C, in comparison to my thermometer which is measuring 28C.

Oh, and as a p.s. to MissterDog, I am using an 18L RUB. I can't see any areas that the heat could escape; the mat is very centered and the air holes are all around the top of the box.

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Originally Posted by Marzipan

Good news! It's reading 28C right now, and that's just on the bad thermometer I've got. One of my relatives is coming over lately with the infrared gun though so I can properly read the temperatures. I've also ordered a probe thermometer as well.

I think it was a combination of two things (other than having a bad thermometer): the radiators in my house being off, and the box needing more time to heat up properly. Hopefully I will perfect the art of temperatures soon though!

I think I got confused because my thermostat probe inside the RUB is reading at 25C, in comparison to my thermometer which is measuring 28C.

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something isnt right.. Youve been from 24, 26 and now 4/5 hours later only 28. These UTH's heat up fast.. I have a couple different kinds and all are smaller 8-12watt and they go from OFF to 100 within 20 minutes. If you put your hand on the floor of enclosure it should feel about the same if not a bit cooler to you as out temps are 98... If its cold something is wrong, if its hot the same.. If I were you when you have the lazer to use check the inside temp of floor and see if your thermometer is wrong, if not then unplug the Tstat and run the UTH direct and see if it will heat up unregulated.. If it gets up to 100-130 within 20/30min you know your tstat is no good ect....
This is directions and pics for running Tstat and Thermometer, no matter if its a glass or Plastic enclosure.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-With-Pictures!

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Originally Posted by Mr Sully

something isnt right.. Youve been from 24, 26 and now 4/5 hours later only 28. These UTH's heat up fast.. I have a couple different kinds and all are smaller 8-12watt and they go from OFF to 100 within 20 minutes. If you put your hand on the floor of enclosure it should feel about the same if not a bit cooler to you as out temps are 98... If its cold something is wrong, if its hot the same.. If I were you when you have the lazer to use check the inside temp of floor and see if your thermometer is wrong, if not then unplug the Tstat and run the UTH direct and see if it will heat up unregulated.. If it gets up to 100-130 within 20/30min you know your tstat is no good ect....
This is directions and pics for running Tstat and Thermometer, no matter if its a glass or Plastic enclosure.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-With-Pictures!

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I actually did that test last night to try and get the heat up faster, but the unregulated heat mat only went up by 2 degrees over about 1 hour. I ordered an infra-red thermometer, as well as a probe thermometer and like I said, not much change...

When infra-red arrives though, I should be able to tell whether or not I need to get a new heat mat.

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Originally Posted by Marzipan

I actually did that test last night to try and get the heat up faster, but the unregulated heat mat only went up by 2 degrees over about 1 hour. I ordered an infra-red thermometer, as well as a probe thermometer and like I said, not much change...

When infra-red arrives though, I should be able to tell whether or not I need to get a new heat mat.

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Yeah if it isnt heating up unregulated then its no good. I have cheap ones and good ones and they all heat up to 130+ unregulated.. If it cools off at night in your house and its taking this long NOW to heat up then it wont be able to regulate itself during cold nights and thats a big problem for a snake.

Update: More good news!
Yesterday my laser thermometer came and I've been testing it on the setup; the floor temps are reading almost perfectly, so I am gonna put it down to some cheap/bad thermometers. Thanks for all the help everyone!

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Originally Posted by Marzipan

Update: More good news!
Yesterday my laser thermometer came and I've been testing it on the setup; the floor temps are reading almost perfectly, so I am gonna put it down to some cheap/bad thermometers. Thanks for all the help everyone!

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Awsome. If I cam recommend a thermometer it would be this one for $20. It has Hotside Temp (Probe) and Coolside Temp (unit) and humidity all in one. Most people on this Forum run these. Glad alls good:gj:

These are all Free Shipping Online order only. They are not stilocked anywhere and Amazon charges shipping. So i use Lowes free ship.
https://m.lowes.com/pd/AcuRite-Digit...meter/50425266