Thermostat issues

Hi all. So I bought this “jumpstart” thermostat to pair with my zoo med UTH, and I’m having issues with it. I set the UTH to 90, and it’s only warm as it’s heating up but once it hits 90, it turns off and it’s like there’s no warm side. The enclosure is just one temp. I’m getting anxious now, as I don’t wanna hurt my new snake.
Does anyone have this thermostat and have any tips? Idk I’m sort of at a loss right now. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...977573614d.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bellad0nna87

Hi all. So I bought this “jumpstart” thermostat to pair with my zoo med UTH, and I’m having issues with it. I set the UTH to 90, and it’s only warm as it’s heating up but once it hits 90, it turns off and it’s like there’s no warm side. The enclosure is just one temp. I’m getting anxious now, as I don’t wanna hurt my new snake.
Does anyone have this thermostat and have any tips? Idk I’m sort of at a loss right now. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...977573614d.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

I’m just gonna say get a Herpstat from the start.....it’s going to save you a bunch of problems.......and potential heartache.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm not sure I understand. How much of the enclosure's floor does the UTH cover? It should heat the surface above it until it reaches the desired temp then it shuts off and cools down a few degrees and the process repeats itself.

I've used several JumpStarts over the last 6 years without a single glitch. I'll admit they don't have the nice bells and whistles that Herpstat and other high end units offer but they keep my heat sources and temps dialed in almost perfectly which is all I need them to do.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I've used several JumpStarts over the last 6 years without a single glitch. I'll admit they don't have the nice bells and whistles that Herpstat and other high end units offer but they keep my heat sources and temps dialed in almost perfectly which is all I need them to do.

---

So the issue I was having was it wasn’t getting warm enough when I had it set to 90. Like it just didn’t feel warm. I set it to 95, and it’s finally warmer and she has a warm spot to chill on now.
Before it was as if the UTH wasn’t getting warm at all, and I was panicking that it was broken.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As I've recently discovered by a moderator here. Keeping a hot spot at 95 is no longer common practice and hasn't been updated on many of the old caresheets. I believe 88-91 is ideal. (IMO)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Knowell

As I've recently discovered by a moderator here. Keeping a hot spot at 95 is no longer common practice and hasn't been updated on many of the old caresheets. I believe 88-91 is ideal. (IMO)

---

When I had it set to 90 it didn’t feel like it was getting warm at all, but I’ll try that temp again


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Are you using a temp gun or extra thermometer to test the heat? Remember your body heat is like 98. So while it takes extra heat to reach 90 it will feel cooler to just maintain 90.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Knowell

Are you using a temp gun or extra thermometer to test the heat? Remember your body heat is like 98. So while it takes extra heat to reach 90 it will feel cooler to just maintain 90.

---

Ahhh you’re so right! I keep freaking out thinking I’m doing something wrong. Thank you for reminding me about body heat lol
I actually just bought a temp gun and I have a thermometer on its way too. Thanks for your help!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That sounds about right. I have my stats set to 94. That gives me a surface temperature of about 88.

It sounds like an "on/off" stat which are inferior as they allow the temp to cool several degrees before kicking back in.

This poses two problems. It means your snake doesn't have a constant temperature and it also means it will burn out your heating device faster.

Much better to use a pulse proportional stat or a dimming stat. Those two variants constantly monitor the temperature and adjust the power accordingly.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Just the fact that you show so much care shows you will make a great snake mom. I don't personally own any jump starts so El-Ziggy would be better at helping you configure it! Enjoy your snake :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Knowell

Just the fact that you show so much care shows you will make a great snake mom. I don't personally own any jump starts so El-Ziggy would be better at helping you configure it! Enjoy your snake :)

---

Thank you so much for the advice and kind words!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

That sounds about right. I have my stats set to 94. That gives me a surface temperature of about 88.

---

Ok so should I leave it at 94? I’m just making sure I’m not doing something wrong


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What surface temperature are you getting with your temp gun when it's set to 94? If it's anywhere between 86-90 youre fine. I personally like my hot spots at 86-88.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

What surface temperature are you getting with your temp gun when it's set to 94? If it's anywhere between 86-90 youre fine. I personally like my hot spots at 86-88.

---

Well I haven’t received my temp gun just yet, but it’s on it’s way! The heat mat itself reads 90 right now, but the surface is not that warm.
Now I really wish my temp gun was here !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It won't feel very warm to your hand. It's cooler than your body temperature. How are you measuring the temperature? Is the thermostat reading 90? The surface temp will usually be a few degrees cooler than the thermostat reading. You'll get an accurate measurement with your temp gun. You could set it a couple of degrees cooler just to be on the safe side or just turn it off until your temp gun arrives.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Valyrian

It sounds like an "on/off" stat which are inferior as they allow the temp to cool several degrees before kicking back in.

This poses two problems. It means your snake doesn't have a constant temperature and it also means it will burn out your heating device faster.

Much better to use a pulse proportional stat or a dimming stat. Those two variants constantly monitor the temperature and adjust the power accordingly.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

---

@Valyrian- What's the downfall of a temperature fluctuation of a few degrees as opposed to a constant temperature? If my temps range from 86-90 and yours are a constant 88 are both acceptable? What makes one superior and the other inferior?
And when you say it causes the heat source to burn out faster, how is that measured in time vs the proportional unit? My oldest thermostats / UTH combos are 6 years old. Granted, either one could burn out at any moment but I would still have to go through 3 of my units to equal the cost of one intro Herpstat. At this pace it would take me 18 years to justify the initial cost difference.
I'm not arguing against Herpstat by any means. I just think you can accomplish the same goal for less coin.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

It won't feel very warm to your hand. It's cooler than your body temperature. How are you measuring the temperature? Is the thermostat reading 90? The surface temp will usually be a few degrees cooler than the thermostat reading. You'll get an accurate measurement with your temp gun. You could set it a couple of degrees cooler just to be on the safe side or just turn it off until your temp gun arrives.

---

The thermostat is reading 90, I put the little probe(that came with the thermostat )underneath the Uth, so it could read how hot it is.
And since I turned it down to 90, the princess has moved over to her warm side, as she was by her water before (which I read hey could do if it’s too hot) so I’m gonna keep it at 90.
when my temp gun gets here, the real fun will begin lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Is your probe between the UTH and the bottom of the outside of the enclosure? If so and it's reading 90 you're in range. You can dial it in more precisely later. Share pics of your BP when you can.

I agree with Ziggy 100% but also know that your BP will thermoregulate its own temp just because it moves to the cool side doesn't mean its too hot. Its highly suggested to keep a hide of similar proportion on the cold side and let the snake decide wether to raise or drop its own temperature moving between the two hides.:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Is your probe between the UTH and the bottom of the outside of the enclosure? If so and it's reading 90 you're in range. You can dial it in more precisely later. Share pics of your BP when you can.

---

Yes the probe is in between the Uth and the bottom of the outside of the enclosure.
Attached are pics of my little love https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1177cb32b4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...04ebdc3d4b.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Knowell

I agree with Ziggy 100% but also know that your BP will thermoregulate its own temp just because it moves to the cool side doesn't mean its too hot. Its highly suggested to keep a hide of similar proportion on the cold side and let the snake decide wether to raise or drop its own temperature moving between the two hides.:)

---

I will be sure to buy two hides for her, thank you!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Very nice critter B! Get that temp gun and add some hides and you're good to go. ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Very nice critter B! Get that temp gun and add some hides and you're good to go. ;)

---

Thank you so much for your help! I appreciate it so much!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk