Herpstat Not Heating Enough . . .

[SnakeGirl3]

OK, so I have recently put together my DIY incubator using an old wine fridge. I'm using a 12" piece of 11" flexwatt for heating, and have it hooked up to my Herpstat. This is my first experience using a Herpstat, as I ordered one specifically for this incubator (the fact that I could adjust to tenths of degrees, along with Herpstat's reputation, is what sold me on using one of these for an incubator); I originally had this hooked up to a Zilla Temperature controller, but my temps were flucuating way too much, and decided to go with another thermostat. I have the Herpstat set to 90 degrees F (for my testing--no eggs in there), but the temps aren't getting above 78 dergrees . . . any idea what might be causing this?

Pics below so you can see what I've done. Maybe someone better at DIY stuff can tell me where I've gone wrong. I've tried the probe in different places: taped to the flexwatt, laying loose in the fridge, tucked into an egg box . . . no higher temp results. The Herpstat is acting like it's not trying to heat above 77-78. The red light is on, like it's on full power trying to heat it up, but it just doesn't get there.






Thanks in advance!

[Alexandra V]

Maybe just try setting the Herpstat to a higher temperature...? Also, where did you place the probe for the herpstat to measure the temperature?

[SnakeGirl3]

I've tried placing the probe in various places . . . in an egg tub, loose in the fridge, taped to the flexwatt. Same results wherever it's placed.

I have tried upping the temps setting as well, but to a lesser extent. I originally had it set to 89.5 degrees, then upped it to 90 when I saw that it wasn't rising. Still hasn't changed anything.

[RichsBallPythons]

Need more flexwatt.

Back side of cooler and bottom should have flexwatt on it. Best to have more than needed than not enough.

Also make sure the cooler isnt metal where your using foil tape. This will just cause problems.

[iCandiBallPythons]

set it higher like 95 or higher and see what your temps read. I would also use a larger piece of flex watt , run it from the top of the back down

[RichsBallPythons]

set it higher like 95 or higher and see what your temps read

Right now thats not needed, as 1 12" long piece of 11" flexwatt isnt enough to heat the cooler up efficiently and stay stable

[Simple Man]

I agree with Rich. Don't blame the Herpstat! More flexwatt needed. With those tubs and design you are going to get some massive hot spots on the back of the tubs nearest the heat tape.

Regards,

B

[SnakeGirl3]

I think I may have enough heat. When I was using the Zilla Controller, my temps were fluctuating between 84-94, so I know it's gotten hot enough in the past; that's what makes me think this is more of a thermostat than flexwatt problem. I just didn't want the temps fluctuating 10 degrees, so I opted for a better thermostat. That's what makes me think there's enough heat (because it has reached 90 and above before), but the Herpstat's reading is only 77-78 (and as I look at it now, it has dropped to 76.8), and therefore the tubs are only ~77 (tubs are all being monitored separately by different thermometers). Still has the red light on like it's trying to heat at full power, but the temps are going down instead of up . . .

[SnakeGirl3]

I agree with Rich. Don't blame the Herpstat! More flexwatt needed. With those tubs and design you are going to get some massive hot spots on the back of the tubs nearest the heat tape.

Regards,

B

Would adding a fan to the inside of the incubator assist with this? I've got a small one, but haven't added it yet. It would require opening a larger hole in order to get the plug through, so I've not done that just yet until I get my other problems figured out.

*Side note: the tubs are not pushed back all the way; they have about 3-4" of space between them and the flexwatt, and the shelves do not go all the way back either. I tried leaving room there to allow for air flow around everything.

[RichsBallPythons]

Yes Fans will help even heat out top to bottom. But you Need more heat whether you think so or not.

Its best to have more than enough as it makes it easier for thermostat to keep temps up and stable. Put in a 3ft piece of 11" flexwatt and put the thermostat probe free hanging in the middle of the cooler taped to bottom of a shelf. Leave it sit over night and check back.

Also you sure you have the probe plugged in the right port on herpstat?