Hey Tim! I got your response email. Sounds like your Herpstat is in need of service and we will take care of that for you under warranty. I emailed the info to you.
I noticed in original post you called the unit a Herpstat 1 however its actually the original Herpstat. I know our new name strategy will be a little confusing initially for people to tell what is old and new product but basically anything with a number after it is new product line (1 Basic, 1, 2, 4) other than the new Intro.
Putting the probes on the heat tape should have no issue with longevity. The sensor is actually rated up to over 200 degrees (and I've had them in the oven before testing them). My code cuts the readout internally around 155 degrees if I remember right.
And to reiterate some of my email to Tim turning up the temp on a Herpstat does not increase power output. The previous generation product did have semi-adjustable curce and you could bump the target temp a few tenths to cheat the curve but this would only apply if the sensed temp was within a degree of the target temp. Below that and the unit would be full ON. So the fluxuations must be a power issue somewhere in the circuit. Could be the fuse or the triac but unusual. Only thing that comes to mind initially was a herpstat that someone bought used and it had same symptom. Had them send it in and when I opened it up the previous owner had popped the fuse and wrapped aluminum foil around the fuse to get it to work. The aluminum would only hold so much current and it was slowly burning away. For the record....don't wrap safety fuses with aluminum foil and if you do tell the next owner.
Anyway, send that unit in Tim and we'll take care of you.
Dion Brewington
Owner, Spyder Robotics
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