heat gradient readings

[iLLwiLL]

ok, i got the concept of a hot and a cool side for my juvi boas, now i just need to know where to take the readings from. i've been playing around with these gradients and could really use some feedback. i'm not 100% sure where to put the probes of my digital thermometer so i'm trying 2 different ways now. both cages are setup exactally the same, and are heated with 1' of 11" flexwatt hooked to a dimmer switch. readings are taken off a dual probe digital thermometer.

cage 1 has a juvi suriname in it now, and the temp prob on the hot side is taped dierctly to the heat tape under the substrate. when the dimmer switch is 1/2 way on, the temp is 105* - 110* at the probe. the substrate is slightly warm to the touch but it dosent feel much warmer than the cool end that is 78-84* day, and 73-78* night. right now the cool side is at 80

cage 2 is empty so i'm kinda playing around with that one. the dimmer switch is 3/4 on, and the probe is taped to the far right hand side wall (hot side) about 1/2" above the substrate. right now its reading out at 86* on the hot side, and 79* on the cool.

so what seems right? should i try to make a bracket so the probe is directly above the center of the heat tape and just under the substrate? i really need to get these right as i'm getting my albino in soon and i want everything to be perfect before she arrives.

any input would be greatly appreciated, and thanks!!!

~Will.

[taz19772005]

does your prob have in and out?if it does put the prob in the cool side and the gage in the hot spot.

[iLLwiLL]

nope, its a dual probe system i got at bigappleherps.com. i keep the thermometers ontop of the cabinet the 2 cages are built into. being as the bottom cage is empty i've been playing around with the probe location and dimmer switch settings and comparing the 2.

i think i have everything figured out, but would like to hear what others think of this setup.

~Will.