Hi,
How are you measuring his temps again?
I was just asking because of the "The dimmer of course doesn't give me a temperature reading, so I just have to regulate it with my hand. " comment. If you already have one the best solution would be to leave the probe from the acurite (wallmart $12 apparently and does humidity at the base unit too **is beginning to think wallmart should give the site commision** ) in the hot end hide and use that as your guide to adjusting the dimmer - bear in mind you will need to check very often at first or if your room temp varies a lot.
dr del