Ongoing Experiment: Unregulated ZooMed UTH, Heat yield and transfer

[The Serpent Merchant]

since the product in question is suggested for use on the side of an enclosure and its secondary application is an UTH.

The product in question is called the Zoo Med ReptiTherm U.T.H.

It IS designed and marketed as a UTH not a side of tank heater...side mounting is only "preferred" if there is not adequate ventilation, which the OP provided with spacers under the tank.

Substrate can be very easily moved around so what happens when the snake touches the bottom of a tank that is 130 degrees?

I too know a thing or two about heat transfer (taken thermodynamics 1 & 2 as well as Physics with Calc 1, 2, & 3 as a part of my Electrical Engineering Major). Sure it is possible to do the math and rig a UTH so that a thermostat isn't needed (assuming that the room temperature remains fairly constant) but that is not something that the average user is capable of.

Do you really think that a piece of ReptiCarpet is going to lower the temperature by 30 plus degrees? (which would be following Zoo-Meds directions to the letter)

A thermostat is 100% necessary in 99.99% of UTH installations... I don't understand how anybody could think otherwise especially if they actually know a thing or two about heat transfer...

[sleepygeckos]

I too know a thing or two about heat transfer (taken thermodynamics 1 & 2 as well as Physics with Calc 1, 2, & 3 as a part of my Electrical Engineering Major). Sure it is possible to do the math and rig a UTH so that a thermostat isn't needed (assuming that the room temperature remains fairly constant) but that is not something that the average user is capable of.

Do you really think that a piece of ReptiCarpet is going to lower the temperature by 30 plus degrees? (which would be following Zoo-Meds directions to the letter)

A thermostat is 100% necessary in 99.99% of UTH installations... I don't understand how anybody could think otherwise especially if they actually know a thing or two about heat transfer...

Well, taking an actual class in Heat Transfer, not thermodynamics, might give one more than "knowing a thing or two" about heat transfer... I've worked with many an electrical engineer, if "knowing a thing or two" was actually knowing heat transfer, I'd have never gotten a job or pursued any of my higher degrees. So, thanks!

I have long thrown away my packaging for, what I believe, the model that is being tested is, but I remember it recommending far more than repti-carpet... something along the lines of inch or more of substrate and, of course, this is assumed to not move by the manufacturer because how can you spec something for unknown levels? Does it not mention special consideration for burrowing animals? (One of the models we have did... not sure which one now.)

My concern and question continues to be this seemingly witch hunt against products that, some people have a problem with - BUT, as mentioned in the other thread, in many, many places these are the only products that are available. Take them away and you take away a lot of opportunities or worse, leave people to even more horrible options.

Maybe instead of a witch hunt, an educational campaign about proper use of UTHs... posting "horrible burning data" is no different than protesters with graphic signage. Non-bias educational material, pushing for more availability of thermostats or other product options and the like are a much better use of time.

PS I'm in your .01% then, spam me, but our home environment and set up allow for it. We took the time and followed all directions because, initially, thermostats were out of our reach - now we have a system that works for us and I currently don't see a need.