Herpstat/RHP temp gradient

[BFT12890]

Hey everybody, question. I finally got my AP t8's put together, I put 1 40 watt RHP in each, and hooked them to a herpstat 2.

For a test run I put the herpstat on 90 degrees daytime and 80 degrees night, during the day according to my 3 acurite thermometers (2 brand new, 1 used) I am reading about 98 degrees daytime and 90 degrees night time. The probe is placed on the back wall of the same side of the RHP about 3-4inchs up (cages is 12inches tall)

The acurites are all in the bottom cage currently (Ive heard the temps can be a few degrees higher in the top cage from heat transferring from the bottom)

I have not used a infrared thermometer yet, im doing that Saturday (borrowing my dads)

Im new to the thermostat/RHP combo so does this sound accurate to everyone?does the herpstat generally read lower/have to be set lower or am I over looking something??

thanks!

[Gio]

I spoke to Bob at Pro-Products about this type of setup. I was told to dangle the probe just off the floor 2-3"s on the cool side and look for a target cool side temp. I'm at 81 degrees. That allows my hot side to stick at 91-93 degrees. I do not have the probe touching any surface.

So basically I'm setting my target temp for cool side temp. After a little tweaking, the cool side is a consistent temp 81 and the hot side only ranges 91-93 which is perfect. The cage is big enough for the snake to choose his location. I find he uses both sides equally.

[BFT12890]

Ok thanks! I turned the herpstat down a few degrees now it reads 84 and my acurite say 86 so maybe I didn't wait long enough.

[Gio]

It takes a bit you and I have roughly the same sized cage. I think you have a great setup. Just make sure there is that temp gradient the snake can choose warmer or cooler.

Sounds like your are dialed in.

[KMG]

It will usually depend on where the probe is mounted. If the probe is mounted like mine along the rim of the rhp it is over the cooler part of the rhp. Rhp's will be warmest in the middle and cooler going toward the rim. So having the probe under the middle of the rhp and the tstat set to 90 will give you a cooler surface temp under the rhp because the hottest come in the rhp will be at 90. But if you mount the probe to the rim at 90 the middle of the rhp will be much warmer and give you warmer temps than you set the tstat for because now the edge is at 90 but the center of the rhp may be 100 which will give you a warmer surface temp under the rhp than you have set.

You can dangle the probe and this still applies. I hope that makes sense.

I glue my probe into a cable strap and then glue that to the rim of the rhp.

[BFT12890]

Thank you both for the help! I got the temps dialed in and both snakes in tonight, first thing they did was go right to where the glass slides at and try to wedge themselves in the corner, so I took some cardboard and tucked it in the glass slide rails lol.

I must say overall I LOVE this setup and will never go back to the glass tank with heat lamps, I love the ease of the herpstat and the controls and safety features it offers. I can tell I will be sleeping a lot easier the temp will adjust its self to stay within parameters and and will shut off when its to hot.

Anyway, heres the setup!

[Gio]

Love the setup. Looks great!