Surface temp too high

[dakski]

So I use a CHE on a thermostat usually set to around 87 degrees. I say usually because it's a cheap thermostat that I sometimes have to modify what it's set at depending on how warm or cold the day is as it's an on/off one and varies around 3 degrees.

Anyway, it's at a good ambient temp and works well, and my thermometer confirms this, but my problem is my temp gun is measuring the surface temp directly under the CHE as high as 114f! WAY too hot. But even when the ambient hot side is like 83-85f the surface is too hot. Any colder and the ambient of the hot side won't be very hot. Suggestions?

114F is snake can die hot.

If the thermostat isn't working, unplug it and get a new one ASAP.

Don't worry about ambient at the moment. Get the hot side no more than 90F.

Then worry about other ways to raise ambient.

Are you only using a CHE?

What type of tank do you have?

Please let us know tank size, type, all heating elements, etc.