Tstat and tmeter in same tub.

I'm having a really hard time getting the temps to become stabilized. I'll try to explain the problem as best I can.

I have the Herpstat ND, which is a proportional tstat...If i have the tstat probe directly on the flexwatt, this reduces the risk of a snake moving the probe..Seems like the best option.

A few levels down, I've got my thermometer probe secured to the bottom of the tub for a second temp reading. Problem is, when I take that tub out to do maintainence, it is no longer over the flexwatt and loses heat. When i put it back in and the temp has dropped 5 or so degrees, the thermostat does not know that. It still reads from the tstat probe and is still fluctuating around 93 degrees. Now lets say I've put my tub back in, and the thermometer probe reads 85. the probe for the tstat is still reading 93, so it doesn't push any power to the flexwatt, and the tub i just did maintainence on will still remain at a low temperature.

Is it a good idea to put the thermometer probe and the tstat probe in the same enclosure? and, if you can spare the room, is it a good idea to place the thermostat probe inside an empty tub?

I had the most accurate and consistent reads when my tstat probe and thermometer probe were in the same tub. But i don't want to risk the snake moving the probe.

I hope this makes sence.

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

I'm having a really hard time getting the temps to become stabilized. I'll try to explain the problem as best I can.

I have the Herpstat ND, which is a proportional tstat...If i have the tstat probe directly on the flexwatt, this reduces the risk of a snake moving the probe..Seems like the best option.

A few levels down, I've got my thermometer probe secured to the bottom of the tub for a second temp reading. Problem is, when I take that tub out to do maintainence, it is no longer over the flexwatt and loses heat. When i put it back in and the temp has dropped 5 or so degrees, the thermostat does not know that. It still reads from the tstat probe and is still fluctuating around 93 degrees. Now lets say I've put my tub back in, and the thermometer probe reads 85. the probe for the tstat is still reading 93, so it doesn't push any power to the flexwatt, and the tub i just did maintainence on will still remain at a low temperature.

Is it a good idea to put the thermometer probe and the tstat probe in the same enclosure? and, if you can spare the room, is it a good idea to place the thermostat probe inside an empty tub?

I had the most accurate and consistent reads when my tstat probe and thermometer probe were in the same tub. But i don't want to risk the snake moving the probe.

I hope this makes sence.

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It makes sense. If you have a spare tub in the rack, you might want to put the tmeter and tstat probe in that tub. If you don't, then you are fine leaving the tstat probe where it is, it is the safest place. No chance of a snake moving it and your temps spiking. As far as the tub that you have pulled out for maintenance, it will heat back up as the flexwatt hasn't been moved and it still remains at the proper temp.

Well, I would think that when you set your t-stat so the tub is the right temp. then you will be fine to keep the probe on the flexwatt. Think about it, if the flexwatt stays the same temp. which works, then it shouldnt effect the temp when you put the tub back in. Now of course the tub temp is gonna be cooler/hotter depending on your room temp, but eventually the tub will adjust back to the same temperature!

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Originally Posted by mmchoppers

Well, I would think that when you set your t-stat so the tub is the right temp. then you will be fine to keep the probe on the flexwatt. Think about it, if the flexwatt stays the same temp. which works, then it shouldnt effect the temp when you put the tub back in. Now of course the tub temp is gonna be cooler/hotter depending on your room temp, but eventually the tub will adjust back to the same temperature!

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Bingo!

As I have just learned this can also be pretty dangerous. I pulled out the tub with the thermostat probe to make some adjustments. When the thermostat senced the dropping temps, it boosted the voltage to my flexwatt. A few minutes later, once everything was set back up (thermostat probe back in another tub, secured to the bottom), the thermostat was reading 93, as it's supposed to, but because I didn't bother the tub with my thermometer, that tub is now reading 97.2, and the thermostat is reading 93.

The thermostat is not allowing the temps to drop in other tubs...So how am i supposed to monitor temps in all of the tubs? I can't assume they're all the same temp because the temps will change as I do mainainence on each one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

As I have just learned this can also be pretty dangerous. I pulled out the tub with the thermostat probe to make some adjustments. When the thermostat senced the dropping temps, it boosted the voltage to my flexwatt. A few minutes later, once everything was set back up (thermostat probe back in another tub, secured to the bottom), the thermostat was reading 93, as it's supposed to, but because I didn't bother the tub with my thermometer, that tub is now reading 97.2, and the thermostat is reading 93.

The thermostat is not allowing the temps to drop in other tubs...So how am i supposed to monitor temps in all of the tubs? I can't assume they're all the same temp because the temps will change as I do mainainence on each one.

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Well if you have that empty tub, you should never have to move it, right? As far as measuring temps, I used to be a neurotic temp checker. No more. I don't use a single thermometer. I spot check every once in a while and if my snakes are doing as they should (eating, drinking, defecating and breeding) then I know I have it right. Don't get hung up on temps. Put the thermometer in one tub (maybe the middle one) and get your temps around 92-94. Then let it be. Hope this helps!

Thanks Jamie. I did order a temp gun from proexotics. Maybe i'll just stick with that.

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

Thanks Jamie. I did order a temp gun from proexotics. Maybe i'll just stick with that.

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That'll do the job. If your bottom tub is 91 and your top is 93, then all is good. I think you are on the right track...

get a tank lol.

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Originally Posted by Liquid Snake 06

get a tank lol.

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I've already dealt with a tank....never again. Racks are much easier IMO. I'm still a newb to racks, i'm just trying to get the temps set. thats all.

nate, think of your rack as a heat sink. of course the temps will change in each tub during cleaning them. when you put the tub back in, it will absorb the heat from the rack and all is good. think stability, get the warm/cool temps right and let it run. stable consistent temps. don't think about temp readings in minutes, think overall temp readings in hours or days.



vaughn

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

I've already dealt with a tank....never again. Racks are much easier IMO. I'm still a newb to racks, i'm just trying to get the temps set. thats all.

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I still have tanks (i have three bps), and have been thinking about getting a rack, since you are just getting into the rack seen (as i am debating about getting one) how much of an investment did you make if you don't mind me asking, between the rack and the tstat???

wildlifewarrior

Rack was about 250. It included 4 tubs, 3" flexwatt all the way through, built and ready to plug in as soon as it is shipped. http://www.herpenclosures.com

The herpstat ND was about 135 from Matt at MGReptiles

It's preference. I have used tanks, and now i'm using a rack. I prefer a rack.

Nate,
Another thing you can do to eliminate the changing temp on the thermostat probe is to take it out/off the tub, and tape it directly on the flexwatt. Just tape it off to the side, so the tub doesn't slide over it. You'll need to tweak its adjustment slightly to get the temps right in the tubs, but once there, its set. Then you're free to pull any tub without affecting the others. This will add the benefit of the flexwatt never getting too hot while heating the enclosures, because the probe is measuring the flexwatt's temp instead of the tub.

Steve

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Originally Posted by hoo-t

Nate,
Another thing you can do to eliminate the changing temp on the thermostat probe is to take it out/off the tub, and tape it directly on the flexwatt. Just tape it off to the side, so the tub doesn't slide over it. You'll need to tweak its adjustment slightly to get the temps right in the tubs, but once there, its set. Then you're free to pull any tub without affecting the others. This will add the benefit of the flexwatt never getting too hot while heating the enclosures, because the probe is measuring the flexwatt's temp instead of the tub.

Steve

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To me this defeats the reason for even having a thermometer. Who needs a measurement of the flexwatt? That is what your thermostat is controlling and displaying. Might as well ditch the tmeter altogether and spot check your tubs with a temp gun.

j-man, he's talking about the stat probe, not the "tmeter" probe. you just like playing with the laaaserrr(austin powers voice).



vaughn

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Originally Posted by kavmon

j-man, he's talking about the stat probe, not the "tmeter" probe. you just like playing with the laaaserrr(austin powers voice).



vaughn

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My mistake. But Nate already said that he has his tstat probe directly on the flexwatt.

Unfortunately, I bought the cheaper one with no laser. I do however have a shark with a frickin laser beam attached to his head.

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Originally Posted by jglass38

I do however have a shark with a frickin laser beam attached to his head.

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Me too!
Mine could whip your shark's *** tho...

I already tried the tstat probe on the flexwatt. Problem with that is when it measures the temp of the flexwatt, if the ambient area round the flexwatt is 93...then little to no power will be sent to the flexwatt.

when I pull my tub out to do maintainence, the temps will drop in that particular tub. When i put it back in, the probe will still be reading around 93 on the flexwatt, and won't give any power, so that tub will continue to have a lower temp....make sence?

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

Me too!
Mine could whip your shark's *** tho...

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Yeah, but not before Jamies shark flips your shark the bird. ;)

-adam

lol @ adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Yeah, but not before Jamies shark flips your shark the bird. ;)

-adam

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Ahh the bird..I love the bird...

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

I already tried the tstat probe on the flexwatt. Problem with that is when it measures the temp of the flexwatt, if the ambient area round the flexwatt is 93...then little to no power will be sent to the flexwatt.

when I pull my tub out to do maintainence, the temps will drop in that particular tub. When i put it back in, the probe will still be reading around 93 on the flexwatt, and won't give any power, so that tub will continue to have a lower temp....make sence?

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Nate,
You really have nothing to worry about. When you pull that tub out, yes, it will cool down. It doesn't need additional power to heat back up. It may take just a little while for it to stabilize, but nothing is hurt by that.

I just set up my first commercially produced rack. Its from Animal Plastics, and uses cable for the heat. I really like flexwatt better, but oh well. My point to this is, it comes with a "trough" routed into one of the shelves for the thermostat probe. Puts it right in behind the heat cable.

Steve