wtf ThermoStat??

Ok well i got a thermostat today and i can't get it to work the insructions are really bad.Where do i place the sensor?Inside or out of the viv? Plus how do i control the temp? i have the power light but not the heat one!!

What kind of thermostat is it?

A habistat thermostat.Up to 100 watts

I haven't used that particular style before but hopefully someone here has and can lead you in the right direction.

What type of thermostat do you have?

There are two different types of thermostats. One is a proportional, and the other is a non-proportional. The proportional will turn the heat up or down when needed. The non-proportional will turn the heat completely off and then back on when needed.

Either type of thermostat would be hooked up to some type of under tank heater (or flexwatt). The probe will be placed somewhere near, or on, then heating element. The probe is the device that will tell your thermostat the temperature, so your thermostat can adjust the heat when needed. I use the thermostat to control the heat, but I use a temperature gun to measure the heat. What the thermostat reads, and what the temperature of the hot spot is can be different. I use the temp gun to measure the temp, and adjust the thermostat accordingly.

I do not suggest using a thermostat on a light, especially a non-proportional, because it will turn you light on and off. I would probably just raise or lower the light as needed, or use some sort of dimmer switch. I actually do not use specific lights for my snake's enclosures. I do not like to use them, because they decrease the humidity in the snake’s enclosure. I just use the room light. I have the room light set on a timer to turn on and off at certain times.

Hope this helps.

Ok but can you tell me how it works? Do i set a temp on the dial then it will keep it there.Also a light saying heat has lit up.

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Originally Posted by Chuck1289

Ok but can you tell me how it works? Do i set a temp on the dial then it will keep it there.Also a light saying heat has lit up.

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Is the thermostat called a "Mat-Stat?"

Yes it is a mat stat!!! A habistat matt stat.

Ok the little heat light has turned off now!

If it is a "Mat-Stat" this is that the instructions say, "An electronic thermostat that turns the power on and off and is especially suitable for use with HabiStat Heat Mats & Strips but is not suitable for use with light bulbs." (Living Earth Electronics, 1998.)

This is a non-proportional thermostat, so is not to be used with lighting. It is made for an under tank heater. It will turn the heat off when it goes over the degree you have it set for. Once it falls below this degree, it will turn back on to heat back up. It will keep doing this constantly. It gives 100% heat to heat up, then 0% to cool down.

Ahhh so thats what it is doing so im doing everything right then? I have put the sensor under the substrate and it is turning off everytime it hits 92 F .

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Originally Posted by Chuck1289

Ahhh so thats what it is doing so im doing everything right then? I have put the sensor under the substrate and it is turning off everytime it hits 92 F .

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Correct. So you do have it hooked up to an under tank heater then? Also you can place it under the heater, as opposed to inside the tank if you would like. You will need something else to measure the temperature though.

Ok well i have a thermometer measuring the temp and should i place the sensor under the substrate or under the whole viv on the top of the UTH.

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Originally Posted by Chuck1289

Ok well i have a thermometer measuring the temp and should i place the sensor under the substrate or under the whole viv on the top of the UTH.

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As long as you have something else measuring the temp, then it doesn't really matter where you place the thermostat probe. I like to place mine under then enclosure, so that it doesn't get messy, but I place my thermometer probe inside the enclosure. Try to get you thermometer to read 92F consistently, and keep turning your thermostat up and down, until you do.

Hope this answers you question.

Thanks problem resolved!!!

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Originally Posted by Chuck1289

Thanks problem resolved!!!

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Good, glad I could help.