Rack Heated with Pads

[Byrdie]

actually, i've ran my flexwatt up to 150 degrees, just to see how hot it got, and there is no heatpad i know of that self regulates. one i have went up to 120ish unregulated, so yes you need a thermostat.

cheapest way is flexwatt, hands down.

why didn't you just say that from the start?

and there is no heatpad i know of that self regulates. one i have went up to 120ish unregulated, so yes you need a thermostat.

my Zilla heat pad has kept my warm side at a constant 85-88 degrees for the past 5 days or so not saying it will always stay that way but the last few days it hasn't gone over 88 or under 85

[MitsuMike]

Don't do it. A thermostat normally has 1 probe. With heat pads they fluctuate quite a bit between each pad.

Example:

2 heat pads on 1 thermostat set to 92 degrees. The one with the probe on it is perfect, the second one is around 95-96 degrees. This range can be plus or minus. Flexwatt is MUCH more reliable than the pads plus it will cost you less to energy to heat and less of a dent in the wallet.

[MitsuMike]

why didn't you just say that from the start?

Only heat pad I know of that "self regulates" is this:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm-heat_pads/

But they even recommend a thermostat

[stratus_020202]

why didn't you just say that from the start?



my Zilla heat pad has kept my warm side at a constant 85-88 degrees for the past 5 days or so not saying it will always stay that way but the last few days it hasn't gone over 88 or under 85

That's a little cold for you hot side, should be more like 90-92. There are heat pads that normally don't get over 90. The problem is accounts for flex. Any small power surge could spike the heat for your pad, just because you don't see it doesn't mean it didn't happen. Although, you can get a dimmer switch, but you will need a warmer heat pad

[OhhWatALoser]

why didn't you just say that from the start?

i thought it was common knowledge lol, heat = thermostat

Only heat pad I know of that "self regulates" is this:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm-heat_pads/

But they even recommend a thermostat

i own 2 of those I used on my first rack I built, their consistent, but both are also at 98 degrees right now lol. and they would get hotter if they weren't on a thermostat. their not self regulating, they just don't "get that hot"

There are heat pads that normally don't get over 90. The problem is accounts for flex. Any small power surge could spike the heat for your pad, just because you don't see it doesn't mean it didn't happen. Although, you can get a dimmer switch, but you will need a warmer heat pad

two big factors that change depending on peoples set up and houses are ambient temps and airflow, a heat pad could get 90 at your house with your setup and 110 in my reptile room.

also a power surge isn't going to affect the heat pad, I don't even think the elements would have time to heat up if they did it would be for half a second, no big deal, and a dimmer isn't going to stop a power surge, nor would the power surge affect it.....about the only thing that could be affected would actually be the circuitry in the thermostat, that's why they have fuses.

[Byrdie]

That's a little cold for you hot side, should be more like 90-92. There are heat pads that normally don't get over 90. The problem is accounts for flex. Any small power surge could spike the heat for your pad, just because you don't see it doesn't mean it didn't happen. Although, you can get a dimmer switch, but you will need a warmer heat pad

that is without my room heater going (haven't been in my room for a couple weeks) with the heater going it will be around 90-95 due to the fact it is about 10 degrees colder in there than anywhere in the house I stay upstairs while my uncles works offshore but he is home tonight so i will update you on the temps after my rooms gets from 60 to about 70 where i like to keep it

[Byrdie]

i thought it was common knowledge lol, heat = thermostat

I'm still new to snakes so i might be wrong lol just please comment on what you think

Please read before arguing
not saying your arguing just using arguing for the lack of a better word atm

[OhhWatALoser]

Please read before arguing
not saying your arguing just using arguing for the lack of a better word atm

The correct response would be "thanks for the info" and not tell me I can't read

because then I come back and say something like this...

do you use the furnace in your house without a thermostat, do you use a space heater without a thermostat, does your car not use a thermostat, does your heated bed accessories not use a thermostat, ect... common knowledge, whether your new to reptiles or not

also im sure you read the caresheet which has this to say...

When using any sort of UTH, make sure there is some clearance beneath the enclosure to allow air circulation to prevent a build-up of excess heat. Also, no UTH should ever be used without some sort of control on the amount of heat it puts out. A reliable thermostat (Johnson Control, Ranco, Herpstat or Helix) is best, but an inexpensive rheostat (dimmer switch) purchased from the hardware store can work as well.

I like to have the last word also

[MitsuMike]

i own 2 of those I used on my first rack I built, their consistent, but both are also at 98 degrees right now lol. and they would get hotter if they weren't on a thermostat. their not self regulating, they just don't "get that hot"

True, not really self regulating but pretty close. But like it's recommended you should still have thermostat.
If people can't afford one, one should not have a snake.

[Byrdie]

The correct response would be "thanks for the info" and not tell me I can't read

because then I come back and say something like this...

do you use the furnace in your house without a thermostat, do you use a space heater without a thermostat, does your car not use a thermostat, does your heated bed accessories not use a thermostat, ect... common knowledge, whether your new to reptiles or not

also im sure you read the caresheet which has this to say...



I like to have the last word also

*takes a Deep Breath*

My heater in my room runs off of a Thermostat
My "cage" is 2 inches off the ground (i have 4 AAA batteries under it as "Spacers")
I have a dimmer switch that has yet to be plugged in because of the fact it HAS NOT gone higher than 88 inside the enclosure
and Lastly i HAVE read that care sheet and many more like it

Also as per your thanks you need to EARN something like that instead you came in here and bashed my ENTIRE set up without explaining why it was. Unlike MikeV who DID earn my thanks for explaining why it did not work so before you come in here and shout unfounded hate at a "newbie" i will ask you to think before you speak...

and as for the last word please try to make it intelligent this time instead of HATEFUL and uneducated...