I need Helix/Ceramic heating help

[Corvid]

I'm setting up my new cage and will make this as clear as I can.
I have 3 banks of cages that each connect to 3 light bulb connections/sockets. (1 grounded cord to 3 sockets). In each socket I have a 150w Ceramic heater.
I found out quickly that plugging all 3 cords with all 9 heating elements is too much for the helix (after 2 blown fuses).
I plugged only 2 cords into it and set it to 87 to test. The Helix output power light went off at 87 but the temps continued to rise to over 105 over the next hour.
What do I need to do here?
Thank you!!!!

[John Marker]

First off, I do not use any type of overhead heating in my collection, but this sounds logical to me...

First question to ask is, where is the probe placed for the thermostat?

OK, with that out of the way, here is something to consider when looking at how your temps fluctuate. If you have your thermostat prob and thermometer measuring at the same spot, we can assume the cage floor for all intensive purposes, the thermostat will allow your heating fixtures to operate until the cage floor reaches the desired temperature, then the thermostat will turn off the power to your heating fixtures. What the thermostat cannot account for is the residual heat that the heating fixtures will radiate into the enclosure after the thermostat is turned off. Your heating fixtures, no matter what style, will retain and radiate heat even after they are shut off.

The only way that I can think of, at this moment anyways, to keep the operating temperature of your heating fixtures in a smaller range would be to attach the thermostat probe directly to the heating fixture, much like you would when using flexwatt or similar product. This would help your situation by turning off the power sooner so, hopefully, your enclosure temperatures will not raise significantly over time, as they are currently.

This is really just a guess based on how you enclosure might be set up, as you did not provide us with all of the details or pictures. If it varies from my assumption, please let us know so that we might give you a better possible solution.

John

[Corvid]

Thank you.
Yes, the probe is on the bottom of the cage. The floor is approx. 20" from the heating element. You can see a picture of the cage here: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=88491
I'm wondering if anyone has experience with the ceramic heaters.
I definately think placing the probe closer to the element will help, I'll try that.

Any other suggestions?

[LarryS]

I agree with Johns assessment, but wanted to add; the Helix DBS-1000 is limited to 500 watts. That would give you a maximum of three 150w fixtures for each thermostat.

Great looking caging. Do you have a pic of it all setup as you described above?

[Corvid]

I think I've decided that 150w heaters are WAY too much, I need to exchange for about 75w.
The fixture set up is hard to photograph as it is inside the frame of the cages(Behind the opaque glass in the picture). There is a florescent bulb that runs across and the heating elements are behind that. the rop is screened, so the animals cannot get to the heating/lighting.
Thank you for your input.