heating...?

[slither9192]

I'm am in the process of setting up a enclosure for a ball python that I am going to be getting. I am using flexwatt and a ranco thermostat. I have the thermostat set to 94 trying to get the temps of the enclosure up to 92. I am using a the PE-1 tempgun and when I point it on the flexwatt itslef it reads between 98-102 but when i move it farther up it says 78-82. Should I raise the temp on the thermostat? How acurate are these tempguns?

[Aric]

I'm am in the process of setting up a enclosure for a ball python that I am going to be getting. I am using flexwatt and a ranco thermostat. I have the thermostat set to 94 trying to get the temps of the enclosure up to 92. I am using a the PE-1 tempgun and when I point it on the flexwatt itslef it reads between 98-102 but when i move it farther up it says 78-82. Should I raise the temp on the thermostat? How acurate are these tempguns?

I would get an accurite digital thermometer with probe from walmart or Lowes or wherever you can get one. From my experience the PE-1 temp guns are not that accurate in checking temps, sometimes they are 10 degrees off for me. Thats why I stick with accurite.

[slither9192]

What should I have my thermostat set at to get the temps to where they need to be? Also I don't understand what the differential is, could someone please explain what that is and what it should be set at?

[lillyorchid]

I know Lowe's sells Acurite thermometer's that rock. All you have to do is tape the probe to the bottom of your enclosure over where the flexwatt is and put the Thermometer itself on the opposite side. It will read a "in" and "out" temp.... remember your "out" temp will be your hot side and your "in" temp will be your cool side. Also it reads humidity levels too. I hope that helps.


Also - just saw your above post. Get a dig therm first, set it up and then it should read what the temp is in your enclosure. After that get that reading, you can adjust your thermostat higher or lower till you have the perfect settings/readings.

[NCKarlov]

i have the same heating set up. I was also kind of confused by the little screen on the ranco, but i'm almost positive that Differential means how much it will allow the temperature to change before it turns on the device..I.E. if you set it at 85 but don't care if it goes to 80 or 90, set the differential at 5. if you want it to stay between 83 and 87. set the differential to 2. i keep mine at 1 just because if my theory is right..that is what is going to keep the temps the most accurate. i hope i'm right though !