Thermostat Probe Falls Off UTH

Tonight was the second time a thermostat probe fell off a UTH. The heat is melting the glue on the aluminum tape and gravity pulls it down. The temp shoots way up to 115 degrees. I was lucky both times and caught it right away. It happened on the hot side (93) and the cool side (83).

How do you stick the probe to the underside of the UTH on a tank so that it doesn't fall off?

Also, I read somewhere that you can use a dimmer as a backup in cases like this. How does that work?

Thanks.
JohnNJ

what i found that works well for under the tanks is aluminum foil tape or put something under the tank like a wood piece to hold it in place.

Have you ever seen lights in a house on a switch that turns? That's a dimmer switch. Much like turning your radio down. It just lowers the power output.

I would recommend to put the probe inside the hide of the hot spot therefore you have more accurate readings of your temps...

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Originally Posted by psycho

I would recommend to put the probe inside the hide of the hot spot therefore you have more accurate readings of your temps...

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Bad advice.

When putting the probe for the thermostat inside the setup you run into the chance of the python moving it off the heat source and or peeing on it causing rapid cool down on the probe then a spike in temperature.

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Originally Posted by psycho

I would recommend to put the probe inside the hide of the hot spot therefore you have more accurate readings of your temps...

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Wrong and before its suggested DO NOT PUT ANY ADHESIVES IN YOUR ENCLOSURE, POLY NEVER BURNS OFF AND CONTINUES TO RELEASE FUMES THAT WILL HARM YOU REPTILE.

Thank you rant over

Tape the probe between the UTH and the enclosure. Also, secure it with clear packing tape, duct tape, or some other solid tape.

JonV

Here is my simple solution to this problem...... use a hot glue gun to adhere probe in place, but make sure you use something to hold the probe in place (a straight pin or unbent paperclip) while glueing it down.

the glue on the metal tape should not be melting off! If your UTH is getting that hot between cycles on your thermostat (kicking on and off), I would definitely advise a rheostat (dimmer) switch to help maintain a constant temp. Probe should definitely be between tub and heat source, NOT inside the tub. Dimmer switches at hardware stores are about 8$, and once you get them set right, your thermostat doesnt kick on and off as much and will last longer. Be sure and keep the ambient room temperature as constant as you can also.

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Originally Posted by flameethrower

what i found that works well for under the tanks is aluminum foil tape or put something under the tank like a wood piece to hold it in place.

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I purchased metal rulers to stick under the tank and hold up the probes. I think that will help. Thanks for the tip.

On the dimmer - how do you figure out where to set the dimmer? If I keep it too low the thermostat will never get the hot side hot enough. Is there a way other than trial and error?

Thanks, JohnNJ

Another question about the dimmer - do you put the dimmer at the wall outlet, before the thermostat box? Or at the back of the box, between the thermostat and the UTH?

Thanks.

Hi,

You would have to put it between the thermostat and the heating element - putting it between the wall socket and the thermostat would probably stop the thermostat working I think.

But I would really recommend putting the thermostat probe between the heat tape and the bottom of the tub - not only would that stop it falling off but it would probably do a far better job of controling the heat tape.


dr del

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Originally Posted by dr del

You would have to put it between the thermostat and the heating element - putting it between the wall socket and the thermostat would probably stop the thermostat working I think.

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If that's the case, I'll have to find another way to back up the thermostat. I'm using a Herpstat Pro with four probes to control two tanks - overkill, I know. Adding dimmers on each plug would just be a big mess of wires.

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But I would really recommend putting the thermostat probe between the heat tape and the bottom of the tub - not only would that stop it falling off but it would probably do a far better job of controling the heat tape.

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I could on one tank but the other has the UTH's glued to the bottom. It would be impossible to unstick them without breaking.

I did add a metal ruler under each probe to support it and added support for the wires. If it happens again I'll go with the glue gun or epoxy and attached the probes permanently.

Thanks.

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Originally Posted by llovelace

Here is my simple solution to this problem...... use a hot glue gun to adhere probe in place, but make sure you use something to hold the probe in place (a straight pin or unbent paperclip) while glueing it down.

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This is exactly what I was going to say. Hot glue is a snake keeps godsend. No stickiness no abrasive surface. Done and done.