Almost had a MAJOR disaster...

[Lolo76]

Last night after feeding the babies, I slid Orlando's tub back into the rack, and apparently knocked the thermostat probe off the flexwatt... it was "secured" with electrical tape under where his tub goes, and I had noticed recently that tape loses its glue from the heat. But I didn't notice it had been knocked out, until I came back down about an hour later. Luckily I'm obsessive about checking the temps, and since I keep them in my bedroom, it's checked multiple times a day. I looked at the Acu-rite in Mona's tub on top, and the warm side was reading 106!!

I immediately pulled all the tubs out, and checked to make sure everyone was okay... thank goodness they were fine, although Orlando was on top of his hide looking desperate to escape - in fact he popped out the second I opened his lid, LOL. I do use belly/gradient heat, and ambient temps had only gone up to ~84, so at least they had some place to escape the heat. I re-taped the probe (which then showed a temperature of over 110 on the helix), this time next to his tub, and waited until things stabilized before putting the snakes back.

To avoid this ever happening in the future, how would you suggest affixing the probe? I tried to get aluminum tape, but haven't found a place that sells it yet... planning to go to Lowe's today, so I'll pick up a roll there. Any other suggestions? And if (god forbid) I hadn't caught this right away, how quickly could those temperatures have become deadly? I was so relieved I caught that in time!!

[Nate]

Glad everything turned out OK

Most home improvement stores sell it. Lowes will have it. Ask for Aluminum Tape or Foil tape

[Lolo76]

P.S. I know people have mentioned using a back-up thermostat, but how does that work exactly? Does every strip have to be plugged into both of them?? And I can't really afford another helix right now, so would something like a repti-temp 500r be sufficient as a back-up?

[Lolo76]

Glad everything turned out OK

Most home improvement stores sell it. Lowes will have it. Ask for Aluminum Tape or Foil tape

Thanks. I figured Lowe's or Home Depot would have it, but I've been having trouble getting to those... surprisingly we don't have many big-box stores around here, not to mention I've had the flu for 2 weeks (mostly better now). Didn't realize it was an urgent need until last night, but now it's on my to-do list for today!

[BAD Morphs]

FYI Walmart also sells it like 5 bucks for a big roll. Thats where I got mine from. Good job catching that Lolo!

[nixer]

wiht a backup thermostat your are plugging your current thermostat into another thermostat and setting the added thermostat to slightly higher than then what your original thermostat is set at. also then you would attach the second probe around the same place as the first one.

that foil tape can be found at most hardware stores and also poss. farm supply stores.

[ctrlfreq]

P.S. I know people have mentioned using a back-up thermostat, but how does that work exactly? Does every strip have to be plugged into both of them??

A simple on/off thermostat will be fine as a secondary - put it in-line on the power to your main thermostat, and set the high point to a couple degrees above the acceptable range on your primary. The idea is that your primary will turn on if temps are too low, and your secondary will cut the power to the primary (and thus the flex watt) if the temperature gets too high.

You should check with the manufacturer of your thermostats in either case for correct wiring, as many have two or more power connectors that allow you to cut power to the heating elements without cutting the power required by the thermostat's circuitry.

[Lolo76]

FYI Walmart also sells it like 5 bucks for a big roll. Thats where I got mine from. Good job catching that Lolo!

Thanks all! Unfortunately Walmart is the hardest to get to, since it's across the bay - hence across the Bay Bridge, which is a major PITA. There's a Lowes near my favorite pet store, and I need feeder mice and cat/dog food anyway... so I'll get my butt over there later, after I go back to sleep for a while.

Btw, will aluminum tape hold down the probe securely? Is that what you all use?

[Danounet]

Good god, I have always wondered what is it like to live away from the city in a nice place away from that many other people and make all the noise you could ever want and what not... But I never realised how annoying it would be if you need a last minute thing... lol

Thanks all! Unfortunately Walmart is the hardest to get to, since it's across the bay - hence across the Bay Bridge, which is a major PITA. There's a Lowes near my favorite pet store, and I need feeder mice and cat food anyway... so I'll get my butt over there later, after I go back to sleep for a while.

Btw, will the aluminum tape hold down the probe securely? Is that what you all use?

[Lolo76]

and also poss. farm supply stores.

I'm sorry, I just noticed this and it made me laugh... no offense to you (it was a good suggestion), but I wouldn't know where to find a farm supply store in San Francisco.