Question about multiple racks on 1 thermostat.

[Lana's_mom]

I just bought my first professional rack and it came in the mail yesterday. I read through the information that they sent with it and it stated that a thermostat can support 2-3 racks on it. I have always wondered about this. I have 2 home made racks for my Ball pythons that I would like to put on the same thermostat, they both have flexwatt on them, one has 3" and the other 4" flexwatt I think. But was afraid to since the probe could only be on one of the racks. Will it heat both racks the same even with the probe just touching one rack? How does this work? Thanks.

[I-KandyReptiles]

As far as I know, to heat multiple racks on one thermostat, all the heat tape has to be the same. So all one size, etc.

[Holtgards]

That that refers to thermostats that support multiple temp probes such as the Herpstat 4

[Marrissa]

I would get a herpstat 4. It'd make me very nervous to only have a probe on one of the racks. I'd want a probe on each rack. The herpstat 4 comes with four outlets and four probes. I have one for my two T8s (they're divided in half with radiant heat panels on either side) and it works well.

[decensored]

essentially it can be done if you're sure that all the heat tape is properly wired, and is cut exactly the same size. Regardless I don't like having multiple racks on one thermostat.

[satomi325]

As long as both racks are identical, you can use a single probe thermostat to heat both.
If the heat sources are different, you cannot use the single probe thermostat as the wattages are different. So if one rack had larger heat tape than the other, it's going to either: 1) make the smaller one hotter than the set temp or 2) the larger one cooler than the set temp.


If the racks are different, you can use two single probe thermostats or one thermostat that supports multiple probes and can regulate multiple sources

[Lana's_mom]

Thanks

[rickm]

I would say no way. I have had temp gradients of up to four degrees on one rack with even the best thermostats. the problem is that the flexwatt is not always very consistant in its temps. I have had herpstat 4 units and still had differences in ten high levels. you just have to find a happy medium sometimes and make sure all of your tubs are in a proper temp ranges. use an infra red temp gun to make sure. some times you can get lucky and have all the same temps, in a given rack or even a room...but I have a thermostatically controlled room, that is set at 80 degrees, and have some of the best equipment money can buy, and still sometimes get a few degree differences in a given rack. that is why I like to have a room set up at the temps I want the coolest part of any cage to get to, then low wattage heat cable(which I have found very much more accurate and consistant), instead of the flex watt. plus with the cable, I can add another line of it on the lower or cooler rack levels, and my temps will all stay within a half a degree with each other. I have noticed that with four in flex watt, the tape closer to the power source is usually a little warmer than out at the end...this is on four foot lengths. with my heat cable, which is for sure more expensive, but much more consistant....I have never had issues or inconsistancies. so chances are that you will probably have a lot higher temp differences only using one thermostat. I like the herpstat 4 units as well, in my opinion, they are the best made right now...but I also have very good luck with dimmer type units that I make myself and use on my racks. I will run three levels with one unit. I can buy and build one unit for about twenty bucks. this way I can control three levels individually. this helps for levels that are a little closer to the ground, which even in a thermostatically controlled room, will be a couple degrees cooler.

[satomi325]

Try the new THG heat tape. Its way better than Flexwatt heat tape. Flexwatt is very inconsistent in its heating. THG is more energy efficient and heats better/more consistent throughout the entire tape. Flexwatt tends to have hot spots and warm spots throughout the tape.

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[coldbloodaddict]

I would get a herpstat 4. It'd make me very nervous to only have a probe on one of the racks. I'd want a probe on each rack. The herpstat 4 comes with four outlets and four probes. I have one for my two T8s (they're divided in half with radiant heat panels on either side) and it works well.

It's still all on only one thermostat though...If it malfunctions it affects all 4 probes...I only put 2-3 racks per thermostat in case one goes bad it doesn't wipe out too much.