Radiant Heat Panel Thermostat Probe Placement

[bigballs]

so for those of you that use radiant heat panels, where would you recommend placing the thermostat probe?

it is better to place it directly on the panel and adjust the heat according to thermometer readings? or is it better to secure the probe directly underneath the panel or on the actual basking spot and set the thermostat to the desired temp? any other ways?

i know multiple methods may work but would like to hear the reasons why the methods you use are chosen.

thanks!

[starmom]

I have a few RHP's in some 3x2x1 RBI cages. For the boas, I zip tie the probe halfway down the height of the cage; for the balls, I zip tie the probe much lower down (close to the floor)

[qiksilver]

I just let mine hang

[starmom]

I just let mine hang

Typical male response

[anendeloflorien]

I found with the RBI RHP that I was using on my display cage that running the probe underneath some aluminum foil tape down to the substrate and securing it underneath a light layer of substrate let me set the temps exactly where I wanted them to be and keep it there. Granted it probably wouldn't work with a bigger snake since I'm sure they would find a way to work it loose but I never had a problem with that with my little girl. Plus I didn't worry too much because I tried it (without the snake in the cage obviously) just plugged straight into the wall and with the low ambient temps in the room it never heated the tank up over 94 degrees anywhere (and I did check it with a temp gun).

[ssjsmits]

Typical male response

McKin......That was hilarious.... Having said that, I let me hang as well.
.
I raise and lower the probe to get different readings.

[bigballs]

I just let mine hang

how low and to what side?

and thats a serious question pertaining to the probe placement underneath RHPs by the way.

[dsirkle]

I put my probe at the height in the cage where the snake will spend most of it's time and I affix the probe by drilling a hole in the cage wall and mounting the probe to the wall, being held like a thermo couple for a pilot light is. I'm talking about 1/2" thick walls using small screws,with thinner walls a bolt with a nut ought to do.

[starmom]

If you put your RHP toward the right side edge, the probe will hang off-center toward the right.

If you're left-handed (ahem) you would mount your RHP toward the left edge of the cage and so the probe would hang off-center toward the left.

And, apparently, if you're a guy, well............

[dsirkle]

If you put your RHP toward the right side edge, the probe will hang off-center toward the right.

If you're left-handed (ahem) you would mount your RHP toward the left edge of the cage and so the probe would hang off-center toward the left.

And, apparently, if you're a guy, well............

Yes, by all means, mount the probe beneath your RHB which would either be the left or right side leaving the other side as the cool end of the gradiant heat range (I'm just not all here tonight).