Rack electronics

OK, I am in the process of building my rack. I know each level will need some flexi watt heaters..
I know i need a temp control.. will one be ok?

What else do I need for each bin.. Do i need a probe in each bin?
Can you all give me a break down of what i need to buy for each bin . I am going to have a 8 bin rack. I want to make sure I have all of my stuff befor i get my snakes


thanks

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Originally Posted by Sevo

OK, I am in the process of building my rack. I know each level will need some flexi watt heaters..
I know i need a temp control.. will one be ok?

What else do I need for each bin.. Do i need a probe in each bin?
Can you all give me a break down of what i need to buy for each bin . I am going to have a 8 bin rack. I want to make sure I have all of my stuff befor i get my snakes

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One thermostat is fine for the rack, with one probe. Most people tape it to the Flexwatt on one of the shelves, then adjust it accordingly so you get a nice gradient in the bins. It'll take a little while to dial it in, but after that you can just forget about it for the most part.

In addition to the thermostat, I'd recommend a digital dual probe thermometer like the Walmart Accurite (just one is all that's needed for the rack), two hides, and a water bowl for each cage. That's about it. Also, a temp gun is very handy for getting temps in all the cages at different locations. You can pick one up at tempgun.com for about $25.

alright guys/gals...
I need this rack flex watt deal broken down for me Barney style!
pretend im from Mars and explain to me how a rack system would be set up including all the material I will need.

this way... I am up to date and ready to go incase I swtich to a rack and also anyone who has any questions has a playthrough as well!

it'll give you rack experts room to show off!!!

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Originally Posted by 4Khan

alright guys/gals...
I need this rack flex watt deal broken down for me Barney style!
pretend im from Mars and explain to me how a rack system would be set up including all the material I will need.

this way... I am up to date and ready to go incase I swtich to a rack and also anyone who has any questions has a playthrough as well!

it'll give you rack experts room to show off!!!

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Did you see my post on my quarantine rack below? It's not anything too fancy. I used a full sheet of Melamine (4'x8'), and about 10 feet of Flexwatt for a 5 shelf rack. I spaced the shelves by using a Sterilite tub and placing CDs underneath for a small gap to allow for easy sliding. Also, I used 1/8" hardboard for the back panel. What else did you want to know?

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Originally Posted by xdeus

One thermostat is fine for the rack, with one probe. Most people tape it to the Flexwatt on one of the shelves, then adjust it accordingly so you get a nice gradient in the bins. It'll take a little while to dial it in, but after that you can just forget about it for the most part.

In addition to the thermostat, I'd recommend a digital dual probe thermometer like the Walmart Accurite (just one is all that's needed for the rack), two hides, and a water bowl for each cage. That's about it. Also, a temp gun is very handy for getting temps in all the cages at different locations. You can pick one up at tempgun.com for about $25.

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ok if you have only one probe how does it know the temp of all the racks.. sorry for the dumb question I am trying to get this figured in my head

Also, do i need a thermometer for each rack or does the dual probe take care of 2 racks?

thanks for your help

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sevo

ok if you have only one probe how does it know the temp of all the racks.. sorry for the dumb question I am trying to get this figured in my head

Also, do i need a thermometer for each rack or does the dual probe take care of 2 racks?

thanks for your help

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Well, every shelf should be identical as far as construction and heating with the same amount of Flexwatt. Also, depending on how you constuct it, the flexwatt should be wired together so you control the electric input for the entire rack as opposed to each shelf. That's why only on thermostat is needed.

Also, the dual probe thermometer is used to measure the temperature gradient of one cage, from cool to warm, not for multiple shelves or racks.

I hope that answered your questions. I'm not sure if you saw my previous post of the rack I just finished, so I'll bump it to the top...

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Originally Posted by xdeus

Also, the dual probe thermometer is used to measure the temperature gradient of one cage, from cool to warm, not for multiple shelves or racks.

I hope that answered your questions. I'm not sure if you saw my previous post of the rack I just finished, so I'll bump it to the top...

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I saw your rack and I am going to do my flex watt with the jumpers that you have.

I am just confused on if i need more than one thermometer for each bin... Also what about humidity.. do i need a hydrometer for that as well.

I wish someone would take a pic of there electronics and how they have them set up.. I am very visual.

thanks for your help
Chris

You should only need one thermometer for the whole rack. Usually the shelves are pretty much the same, although the top shelves can get a little warmer than the bottom ones.

A hydrometer is a good idea, but most of the people around here use the Walmart Accurite which has a built in hydrometer along with the two probes.

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Originally Posted by Sevo

I wish someone would take a pic of there electronics and how they have them set up.. I am very visual.

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Let me know what type of pics you need and I will take some for you..

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Originally Posted by justcage

Let me know what type of pics you need and I will take some for you..

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I would like to see pictures of complete rack set ups. where themometers are and just pictures of racks. I enjoy seeing what people have set up as it may help me see what i need or may have forgotten

We've yet to build our own racks but here's a few links from my fav list that show pretty detailed pics plus one link for a CD-ROM on rack building (don't know how good that is but it might be helpful).


http://www.raintreeherp.com/racksys.html

http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/cages.shtml

http://arbreptiles.com/cages/rack.shtml

http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/flexwire.shtml

thanks for the links.. that build CD may come in handy for some ideas


thanks again
Chris

Where are you putting your Thermometer probes ( not thermostat) inside the racks? Are you putting them near the heated part or the opisite side?
. I bought a acu rite with humidity but for some reason it only has one probe... hmm I thought it had 2 probes.. i will go back to wally world and see what i can find


Chris

the thermometer itself will be the "indoor" temp, the probe reading will be the "outdoor" temp. i usually put the thermometer in the front of the tub, with the probe in the rear of the tub to read the hot side. i have found the accurites and similiar brands to be reliable thermometers, usually within 2 deg. or so. good bang for the buck! no real need for anything more accurate except for precise incubation measuring.



vaughn

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Originally Posted by kavmon

the thermometer itself will be the "indoor" temp, the probe reading will be the "outdoor" temp. i usually put the thermometer in the front of the tub, with the probe in the rear of the tub to read the hot side. i have found the accurites and similiar brands to be reliable thermometers, usually within 2 deg. or so. good bang for the buck! no real need for anything more accurate except for precise incubation measuring.



vaughn

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vaughn,
thank you for the reply. It helped

What do you use for your incubator.. what brand temp. I would like to start to slowly build it up and take my time and get the best parts for it.

any good threads on building one.

thanks
chris

i prefer to use helix as an incubator thermostat. i've had 100% hatch rate with it. imo it has been around alot longer than some other units and is "time tested".:soapbx:



you can build "bators" all sorts of ways. from large coolers,to closets,large boxes, and entire rooms. i'm off to work, do a search on reptile incubators you'll find some things.


vaughn

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Originally Posted by kavmon

you can build "bators" all sorts of ways. from large coolers,to closets,large boxes, and entire rooms.

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ROCK ON! I've never actually purchased an incubator ... I've ALWAYS built them ... here is my latest ... almost done filling it up for the year ... like Vaughn, I am crazy about Helix thermostats, if you look close, you can see the probe from one of my Helix 1500 wattt systems hanging in the back. ;)

http://www.8ballpythons.com/uploads/bator.jpg

-adam

I have and use both Helix and Herpstat and both work nicely. The only think I don't like about the Helix DBS-1000 is it only displays the full degree and not the tenths of a degree. The other Helix and Herpstat products that show tenths of a degree are nice because you can "fine tune" your setups much easier. Just my :2cent:. :)

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

ROCK ON! I've never actually purchased an incubator ... I've ALWAYS built them ... here is my latest ... almost done filling it up for the year ... like Vaughn, I am crazy about Helix thermostats, if you look close, you can see the probe from one of my Helix 1500 wattt systems hanging in the back. ;)

http://www.8ballpythons.com/uploads/bator.jpg

-adam

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Looks like I would have to lose a little weight to fit in that incubator!!! :rofl:

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

I have and use both Helix and Herpstat and both work nicely.

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Hey, that's very cool Bill. Just wanted to be clear that I wasn't saying that other stats don't work nicely, just that I am a big fan of Helix in case anyone was wondering. :P

I hope that we can all agree that being loyal to products and companies that take care of us is just human nature and that voicing that loyalty isn't intended to "take away" from any product or company that a fellow forum member might be loyal to. ;) I've always been an advocate of each keeper doing what works best for them! ;) .... "It's ALL good". :D

Not a life or death thing by any means, just some random ramblings from a guy that's trying to find his way. :pinkele: :rockon:

-adam

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Originally Posted by Wild Bill

Looks like I would have to lose a little weight to fit in that incubator!!! :rofl:

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LOL ... yeah, every year that thing gets more and more cramped ... I don't know if it's because I'm putting more clutches in it or because I'm eating more doughnuts. :P

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Hey, that's very cool Bill. Just wanted to be clear that I wasn't saying that other stats don't work nicely, just that I am a big fan of Helix in case anyone was wondering. :P

I hope that we can all agree that being loyal to products and companies that take care of us is just human nature and that voicing that loyalty isn't intended to "take away" from any product or company that a fellow forum member might be loyal to. ;) I've always been an advocate of each keeper doing what works best for them! ;) .... "It's ALL good". :D

Not a life or death thing by any means, just some random ramblings from a guy that's trying to find his way. :pinkele: :rockon:

-adam

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Its all good!! I actually have a couple of Rancos also, but only use them for controlling heat and cooling. The only thing I don't like about them is the "clicking" noise they make. LOL!!!