What will happen if the thermostat or UTH go wrong/stops working?

[alice40604345]

Hi guys! I've been using my current thermostat for around 2 or 3 years, so far they have no problems, but I always have this worrying that what will happen if the thermostat or UTH breaks/stops working? For example the probe goes wrong or the controller itself goes wrong, Will the UTH temperature keeps rising and kills my snakes and set the container on fire? (from top to bottom, my setup is sterilite storage bins-> probe of thermostat->heat mat-> some books-> carpet). Or it will actually cut the power?

Actually how high will the temperature of a heat mat go without a thermostat? I always have this worrying and always check their containers several times when I'm home and when I leave and recently I saw a post on instagram or facebook, and a person says that something goes wrong (I can't remember if it's her heat mat or thermostat), her snakes died because of the heat and this makes me kind of worried about this question again. Thanks!

[Charles8088]

You can always install a backup thermostat to the primary, that would cutoff power if too hot. I think "too hot" is a bigger threat than "too cold", as if the heater stops working. But, either way, you can also put in an alarm that sounds if temps go outside some extreme parameters.

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[303_enfield]

The above plus now WiFi alarms that will call your cell.

Good luck!

[alice40604345]

You can always install a backup thermostat to the primary, that would cutoff power if too hot. I think "too hot" is a bigger threat than "too cold", as if the heater stops working. But, either way, you can also put in an alarm that sounds if temps go outside some extreme parameters.

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Thanks! You mean also put the second thermostat's probe near the first one's between the container and heat mat? Also I was thinking will the bulge between the probe and the heat mat make the heat mat placed unevenly and makes the heat mat go wrong more easily? The probe of my Zilla thermostat is kind of bigger than other thermostat.

Also, do you know how hot the heat mat will actually go without a thermostat? Thanks!

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The above plus now WiFi alarms that will call your cell.

Good luck!

Thank you ! May I know what is that WiFi alarms? another kind of product? Thanks!

[Charles8088]

Thanks! You mean also put the second thermostat's probe near the first one's between the container and heat mat?

So... The heater gets plugged into thermostat #1. Thermostat #1 gets plugged into thermostat #2. Thermostat #2 gets plugged into the wall. The probes from both thermostats get placed in pretty much the same area in the enclosure. Thermostat #1 is your control thermostat... and you dial in the high you want in the enclosure (88-90°, for example). Thermostat #2 is your backup incase the 1st one breaks. Set the second one to maybe a degree higher. So, if thermostat #1 is set to 89, then set thermostat #2 to 90. So, now, if thermostat #1 breaks, and the temps go higher, thermostat #2 cuts it off before going higher than 90.

Of course, this doesn't protect you if thermostat #2 breaks. AND... you have to test a little to make sure thermostat #1 and #2 are calibrated pretty much the same.

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[Charles8088]

Thank you ! May I know what is that WiFi alarms? another kind of product? Thanks!

I myself don't use the WiFi alarms, but these two I've seen others recommend.... and, I'll eventually get one.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AEQ9X9I..._DZYHFbXYRPNBN

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FBCTQ3L..._W1YHFb135T49H

That second one I posted, looks like it's normally $50. But, right now, with the Prime Deals, if you are a Prime member, it's only $25. I might just pick one up now.





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[GoingPostal]

It depends on the type and brand of the thermostat. Some fail on, some fail off, some have alarms, others don't. I have herpstats which are supposed to fail off and you can set high/low temp alarms. Some people do the redundancy route as already covered.

[alice40604345]

I myself don't use the WiFi alarms, but these two I've seen others recommend.... and, I'll eventually get one.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AEQ9X9I..._DZYHFbXYRPNBN

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FBCTQ3L..._W1YHFb135T49H

That second one I posted, looks like it's normally $50. But, right now, with the Prime Deals, if you are a Prime member, it's only $25. I might just pick one up now.





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Thank you so much!!! That's so detailed!!
Those wifi alarm looks amazing. So may I know where would you place them? In side the container above the UTH position? But my snakes will sometimes move around and may push those alarm away maybe to some corner of the container

[alice40604345]

It depends on the type and brand of the thermostat. Some fail on, some fail off, some have alarms, others don't. I have herpstats which are supposed to fail off and you can set high/low temp alarms. Some people do the redundancy route as already covered.

Wow that's pretty cool! Mine are just Zilla and jump start, not sure whether they turn off if not working. I haven't seen any posts here talking about what will happen if something wrong with thermostat, maybe it happens super rare?

[Charles8088]

Thank you so much!!! That's so detailed!!
Those wifi alarm looks amazing. So may I know where would you place them? In side the container above the UTH position? But my snakes will sometimes move around and may push those alarm away maybe to some corner of the container

I use the HerpStat as well. I don't use a UTH for heat. Instead, I use the RHP's from Pro Heat, which are placed on the top inside of the enclosure, the under the tank or bottom. I place the probe up against the wall, on the warm side, just about an 2 inches off the floor. This makes it about an inch off the substrate. And, the probe is set in place with a zip tie. Its attached to the wall and can't move.

If you mean placing the wifi temp monitor, and not having that moved by the snake... then I don't know. I don't have one in there (YET). But, I just ordered a few of the Govee ones I listed above, since the price was good, and will soon give it a whirl!