Where to place the thermostat probe

[Rickys_Reptiles]

So mounting the probe inside you could have these issues. 1. Probe gets unplugged, 2. Water spills, 3. Urinate on probe, 4. Probe gets lifted, 5. Snake moves tube and probe, 6. Snake twist or breaks wires in probe making the sensor fail. While placing the probe outside you have 1. Probe gets unplugged, 2. ???? I'm out.

I have come home to a broken a/c and my tstats did as they should and lowered the power which lowered the temp. I don't see how you are having different results

First I'll address your concerns and then follow with an alternative view. Before that, though, I'd like to discuss the parameters to put this into context.

The tubing used is 1/2" PEX that has been bonded to the enclosure using plastic epoxy. I painted it with plastic paint a darker colour so it would match my substrate. I am using a HERPSTAT 2, with 1 probe on each end of the enclosure (Both are installed in the same fashion). The thermostat probe enters into the enclosure from the rear. The probe is held in place with the bread tag, as you already know. (Please ask questions if you need to know any more about my setup).



Now your concerns.

1. Probe gets unplugged: There is slack on the probe cord behind the enclosure. If my snake were to somehow grab or get tangled in the probe it would have to drag the probe pretty far before it could pull out. In fact, I think the chances of this happening is very low.

2. Water spills: I have inquired with Drew if this will cause damage to the probe. Let's put this on hold till I hear back from the manufacturer of the thermostat.

3. Urinate on probe: As above with regards to liquid causing hardware damage. If you are speaking more towards the "dirt" aspect then it's not a concern at all. Just as I would expect all herpers to clean and disinfect their enclosures, I too would expect them to do that with everything inside the enclosure. If a snake urinates on the probe, I will clean, disinfect and dry it.

4. Probe gets lifted: If this happen then the temperature in that zone would increase. I tested this by lifting the probe so it faced straight up, and the resulting temperature increase was minimal. I also tested it by putting the probe above the substrate, and the floor of the enclosure once again did not increase by very much.

5. Snake moves tube and probe: The tube is not removable and the probe being moved I've addressed above.

6. Snake twist or breaks wires in probe making the sensor fail: Spyder Robotics probes are good quality. I cannot see my snake being able to do any damage at all to the cord. I am not saying it's not possible though - so yes, this is a valid concern, even if it is still not a major concern in my eyes.

An alternative is that this method works well.

My snakes enclosure is the exact correct temperature 365 days a year. If the thermostat probe it outside the enclosure then you need to tinker with it all year round...if you live in Toronto. What would happen if my snake lived in Toronto in a spare room? In winter the room can be 17 degrees Celsius and in the summer it could be 26 degrees [which is very possible in Toronto]. You would need to adjust the temperatures at least twice a year...no big deal. But, what if your room was 23 degrees during the day and 18 at night? (Like it is in my spare room, in Toronto). Would you be adjusting your thermostat every morning and night? Please explain to me how you would achieve a stable temperature inside with the outside temperature fluctuating throughout the day, every day?

What will I do though?

I will increase the tube all the way to the rear of the enclosure so that he cannot pull on the wire. Even though the chances now are tiny, I would rather they be eliminated. So thanks for that.

I will also cap the tube so that the probe cannot be moved, dirtied or become in contact with water. Thanks for that also.

My initial idea may not be perfect yet, but instead of saying "THAT'S BAD" How about saying.. "Try this, it will make your setup safer in my opinion".