Question about probe placement of Herpstat 4

[JoshSloane]

i would bet that 99% of people on this site tape the probe to the heat tape using aluminum tape. Guess we are all wrong.

[tbowman]

Well, you know what they say about assumptions.

I am not trying to argue. I'm just trying to prevent the spread of misinformation. Because in my experience, there is no negative consequence of taping a probe directly to a heating element. And all evidence I have found tells me that I would probably get a more precise reading by doing so.

After all, we're supposed to be measuring the temperature of the heat tape, right? Not the air around it.

[Albert Clark]

Any tape over the probe itself will act as a barrier to the sensitivity and temperature regulation of the probe to the thermostat.

[JoshSloane]

Well, you know what they say about assumptions.

I am not trying to argue. I'm just trying to prevent the spread of misinformation. Because in my experience, there is no negative consequence of taping a probe directly to a heating element. And all evidence I have found tells me that I would probably get a more precise reading by doing so.

After all, we're supposed to be measuring the temperature of the heat tape, right? Not the air around it.

Dear god, I am agreeing with you. I tape the cord of the probe to the heat tape, allowing the probe tip to freely touch the heat tape.

I have no tape over the probe itself.

[tbowman]

Any tape over the probe itself will act as a barrier to the sensitivity and temperature regulation of the probe to the thermostat.

We've had this discussion before, but I'll reiterate my point.

Once again, I am not saying to wrap the probe in tape. I am saying a single piece of tape, placed flat over top of the probe onto the heat tape. As demonstrated clearly in the YouTube link I provided.

[tbowman]

Dear god, I am agreeing with you. I tape the cord of the probe to the heat tape, allowing the probe tip to freely touch the heat tape.

So do you agree with the technique shown in the YouTube link I provided? If so then we are done here.

[KMG]

Spyder Robotics, maker of thermostats, says do not use Aluminium tape on their thermostat probes.

Nowhere do either of these two entities warn of the dangers of taping a thermostat probe (not the cord) directly to the heating element.

What?

Did your reading comprehension get turned off?

As you already quoted.
"Do not apply aluminum tape directly to the probe tip"
It very clearly states to not place the tape directly to the probe TIP, nothing more. Nowhere on that page does it state that aluminum tape should not be used as you have asserted.

You are spreading misinformation stating aluminum tape should not be used and that taping the probe tip is fine even after YOU quoted the manufacturer says not to do so.

[JoshSloane]

I just took the back off my pvc rack. The temperature recorded by the thermostat probe was half a degree different than the temp of the probe tip recorded by my Infrared gun. I have a two inch piece of tape over the cord, not the probe.

[JoshSloane]

Aluminum tape is commonly used to tape down heat tape to the rack itself. I fail to see how taping the CORD of a probe could hurt.

[tbowman]

lol you cannot be serious.

Once again, Spyder Robotics says not to apply ALUMINIUM tape to their probe tips.

Flexwatt IS saying Calorique, the manufacturer of Flexwatt does not recommend the use if aluminum foil tape with its heat tape products.

Nowhere does either company say DO NOT USE CLEAR PLASTIC MAILING TAPE, OR DUCT TAPE to secure the probe tip directly to the heating element.

I have also shown you that very experienced people have being doing it exactly this way for literally decades.

If you still think it's dangerous or inaccurate, then by all means continue doing it your way. But you shouldn't continue to dogmatically state that it is wrong, if all available evidence shows otherwise.

Here is a photo of the way my thermostat is setup. And I can assure you that I am getting accurate readings



I am done.