Accurite/thermostat probe temp. readings do not match

[reaxion07]

On my way to work this morning, I noticed that my Accurite is reading temps lower then the probe on the thermostat is. I am using a Ranco ETC-111000 purchased brand new from Reptile Basics. They used to be synced up. The probes from both are in the same location.

I think it maaay be the Accurite - Cornelious took a big crap/pee and got it all over the probe, so I had to take off the sticky bottom because it was stained (it wouldn't stick anymore anyways). Could the humidity have ruined the temp sender in there? That's the only thing I can think of, unless the it's the probe on the thermostat

And before you guys fret...I don't think he's in risk of being burned, as the temp on the thermostat (89) is higher then the temp on the Accurite (85-86), and it probably won't switch on much today because it's a nice, warm day

[nevohraalnavnoj]

I would advise removing those probes from where he can pee on them. For safety reasons I would also advocate attaching them directly to the heat tape, outside of the enclosure. Yes, this means your temps will vary a bit more as the room does, but is much much much safer for your snake. Imagine if he bumps those probes where they are placed now...that heat tape will kick on full bore.

JonV

[reaxion07]

Hmm, well they stay under the substrate (in my case, newspaper). It's just that it soaked through the newspaper, and I got the probe in the poop as I was pulling it out. So you tape the probes along the edge of the heat pad, on the outside of the enclosure? How would that effect the heat lamp that my thermometer runs?

[nevohraalnavnoj]

Hmm, well they stay under the substrate (in my case, newspaper). It's just that it soaked through the newspaper, and I got the probe in the poop as I was pulling it out. So you tape the probes along the edge of the heat pad, on the outside of the enclosure? How would that effect the heat lamp that my thermometer runs?

They pee en masse, so it will almost always soak through the newspaper.

What is your probe controlling? Heat tape or a heat lamp?

JonV

[reaxion07]

The thermostat is controlling a small Zoomed heat pad, and a heat lamp. The heat lamp has a built in dimmer switch on it as well. The temps are usually spot on, I'm just worried about the fact that the readings aren't matching up.

Oh, and it's a 20g long with foam core board on three sides, and a screen lid w/ a triple layer of foil and duct tape cover.



It's now on a complete stand.

[nevohraalnavnoj]

Hmmmm...I dunno about a thermo controlling two totally different heating devices. I suppose as long as you have the lamp on a rheostat it could be okay, provided you throttle it lower than the heat tape.

I would suggest taping the probe to the heat tape, outside of the enclosure. If you have to have that lamp on the thermo too, make sure it's throttled a lot lot cooler than the heat tape. Otherwise, I would put the heat tape on the thermo and the lamp on a dimmer.

JonV

[hoo-t]

The theory behind placing the thermostat probe directly on the heat tape/pad, is that the thermostat controls that heating device. If you place the thermostat probe on the pad, it will no longer read enclosure temps, but rather the heat pad temps. This is good because it prevents the pad overheating. However, if you are also using a heat lamp, the thermostat will no longer get any reading from the lamp. This could create a real problem. If you move the thermostat probe to the pad, you should probably remove the heat lamp, or at least keep a very close eye on your temps.

You should also realize that if you do move the probe, you will need to bump up the thermostat setting in order to achieve the desired temperature in the enclosure. The thermostat will NOT read the same as the thermometer.

Steve

[kc261]

I would advise removing those probes from where he can pee on them. For safety reasons I would also advocate attaching them directly to the heat tape, outside of the enclosure. Yes, this means your temps will vary a bit more as the room does, but is much much much safer for your snake. Imagine if he bumps those probes where they are placed now...that heat tape will kick on full bore.

JonV

I have my t-stat probe directly on the flexwatt. However, my acu-rite probe is in the enclosure. I feel this gives me the "best of both worlds" situation, where the t-stat probe prevents the flexwatt from overheating, and the acu-rite probe allows me to know what temps my BP is actually experiencing.

Also, I should add that this is if the enclosure has an acu-rite at all. I don't have an acu-rite for every single snake, because I feel it is unnecessary when they are all controlled by the same t-stat and I also check temps periodically with a temp gun. I do recommend at least one acu-rite per t-stat.

Sometimes the snakes pee, poop, or whatever on the acu-rite. So far my acu-rites seem to be working ok despite that. I have noticed some of the acu-rites are not consistent even within themselves. If you put the probe right beside the device, the "inside" and "outside" temps can be as much as a few degrees off. Since I don't believe a few degrees one way or the other is going to be harmful to my snakes, I don't worry about it. If I started seeing a larger discrepancy, I'd replace the acu-rite.