Using more than one heart source for multiple enclosures - Thermostats

Mikoh4792 · 06-05-13, 06:34 PM

Can you plug multiple socket outlets into a thermostat and heat multiple enclosures at the same time?

For example

with

and then plug in 5 UTH's to heat 5 enclosures of same size to get same temperatures in all of them.

Starbuck · 06-05-13, 07:27 PM

in theory, yes...
though remember that you only have one probe, so you can only measure temps in ONE of your tanks/heat sources, all of the otehrs will be controlled by a thermostat adjusting ONLY for that particular probe and heat source.
From what i have heard, it is best to place your probe near your warmest site (thinnest substrate/highest tank?) etc, and remember to check ALL of the temps with a temp gun frequently.

Also, all tanks/hot spots will be approximately the same temperature, so this might not work if you are keeping multiple species. You'll also have to make sure your thermostat is rated appropriately for that much output :P

All of the above not withstanding, i will be doing something similar once i purchase my 5 cage stack soon (all my animals are colubrids)

smy_749 · 06-05-13, 07:33 PM

If you keep each cage in the same substrate, and the same depth (basically everything identical) and you line them up horizontally, they will probably all be the same temp. if you stack the vertically, the ambients at the top may be a bit warmer.

Also about the different species thing, I have to agree. Although I have one setup to run both a lamp / bulb and UTH at different temps. Works perfectly, maintaing 86 on one and 90 on the other.

Mikoh4792 · 06-05-13, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starbuck

in theory, yes...
though remember that you only have one probe, so you can only measure temps in ONE of your tanks/heat sources, all of the otehrs will be controlled by a thermostat adjusting ONLY for that particular probe and heat source.
From what i have heard, it is best to place your probe near your warmest site (thinnest substrate/highest tank?) etc, and remember to check ALL of the temps with a temp gun frequently.

Also, all tanks/hot spots will be approximately the same temperature, so this might not work if you are keeping multiple species. You'll also have to make sure your thermostat is rated appropriately for that much output :P

All of the above not withstanding, i will be doing something similar once i purchase my 5 cage stack soon (all my animals are colubrids)

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

If you keep each cage in the same substrate, and the same depth (basically everything identical) and you line them up horizontally, they will probably all be the same temp. if you stack the vertically, the ambients at the top may be a bit warmer.

Also about the different species thing, I have to agree. Although I have one setup to run both a lamp / bulb and UTH at different temps. Works perfectly, maintaing 86 on one and 90 on the other.

You mean to say that one thermostat has two probes? Like herpstat 2? or vivarium electronics 300x2?

And yes I intend on using one thermostat for the same species. If it is possible to use the thermostat as I was asking about, I intend on using one for 3 UTH's for 3 tubs for 3 ball pythons, all placed horizontally on a rack. They will all have the same setup with all furniture placed in identical positions of the tubs.

I also have multiple heat guns to check temperatures of areas not monitored by stationary thermometers.

I already have my thermostat, and tubs/rack are coming in tomorrow. I'm going to test it out with the 6 socket outlet and I'll tell you guys how it goes.

Mikoh4792 · 06-05-13, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

If you keep each cage in the same substrate, and the same depth (basically everything identical) and you line them up horizontally, they will probably all be the same temp. if you stack the vertically, the ambients at the top may be a bit warmer.

Also about the different species thing, I have to agree. Although I have one setup to run both a lamp / bulb and UTH at different temps. Works perfectly, maintaing 86 on one and 90 on the other.

So in theory if my idea does work, you think you could do the same with your setup? As in two outlets for two different heat sources. Let's say you have 6 enclosures. One probe for UTH and one probe for Heat lamp. Both probes in the same enclosure. 6 heat lamps on the heat lamp outlet and 6 UTH on the UTH outlet. All lamps running 86 and all UTH's running 90.

LadyWraith · 06-05-13, 08:13 PM

I have the Flexwatt for both of my snake enclosures wired to one plug and plugged into my t-stat. I have my BP on top with the probe in his enclosure since he requires the warmer temps. I've had great success with that, which is basically the same thing you want to do with having multiple units running on one t-stat. Just make sure to monitor temps frequently.

Mikoh4792 · 06-05-13, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyWraith

I have the Flexwatt for both of my snake enclosures wired to one plug and plugged into my t-stat. I have my BP on top with the probe in his enclosure since he requires the warmer temps. I've had great success with that, which is basically the same thing you want to do with having multiple units running on one t-stat. Just make sure to monitor temps frequently.

I know that can be done because I've seen people do it. However I'm talking about 3 different sources of heat plugged into an outlet plugged into a thermostat.

Your method I may use if I decide to get a racking system since I'll be using flexxwatt instead of heat pads.

smy_749 · 06-05-13, 08:34 PM

The setup i referred to is only 1 probe, for the UTH. Just played around with lamp height till I got my desired temp. I dont recommend this, its hard to get accurate temps this way.

LadyWraith · 06-05-13, 09:07 PM

I don't see why them being plugged into a power strip (like what you pictured above) and then plugged into a t-stat would be an issue. If that's how I understand the setup you're talking about, it's the same principle: multiple heat sources feeding into one main plug that then feeds to the stat. What I was referencing to was not so much that it COULD be done, but the effects of doing so. I don't doubt the actual method would work (cause it's pretty likely it will), I was just giving a real life experience about how the heat exchange works between the multiple enclosures. Heat rising etc.... I was merely expounding on smy's previous post regarding the same topic.

Mikoh4792 · 06-05-13, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyWraith

I don't see why them being plugged into a power strip (like what you pictured above) and then plugged into a t-stat would be an issue. If that's how I understand the setup you're talking about, it's the same principle: multiple heat sources feeding into one main plug that then feeds to the stat. What I was referencing to was not so much that it COULD be done, but the effects of doing so. I don't doubt the actual method would work (cause it's pretty likely it will), I was just giving a real life experience about how the heat exchange works between the multiple enclosures. Heat rising etc.... I was merely expounding on smy's previous post regarding the same topic.

I see. Of course there will be slight differences in different enclosures so I'll have to be careful on where I position them. Anyway they won't be too far away from each other since they are very small tubs (17x11x6). Temps should be fairly consistent whether stacking vertically or horizontally when using such small enclosures. Anyways, I'm gonna try it out tomorrow and if it works then i've learned something new.

KORBIN5895 · 06-05-13, 10:35 PM

Be extremely careful with prove placement. If the snake lays on the probe or spills its water on it it will cause the heat to kick in and potentially roast the other two.

I also wouldn't recommend using three matts. What if one malfunctions and over heats? A length of flexwatt would be a continuous circuit and probably trip the probe.

Mikoh4792 · 06-06-13, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

Be extremely careful with prove placement. If the snake lays on the probe or spills its water on it it will cause the heat to kick in and potentially roast the other two.

I also wouldn't recommend using three matts. What if one malfunctions and over heats? A length of flexwatt would be a continuous circuit and probably trip the probe.

Those were one of my worries. Having thought that point through, I will just use 2 UTH's on a herpstat 2(2 thermostats in one) and then the last tub on a single thermostat.

I would use flex-watt on these tubs but I have already ordered the UTH's for them. I don't know how long these zoo med UTH's last but once they start getting old I will replace them with a single strip of heat tape which sounds like a better plan.

Mikoh4792 · 06-06-13, 12:21 AM

Korbin, do you think it's possible to use multiple heat tape sources on a single thermostat? Since you place the probe directly onto the heat tape, there is no actual contact in the enclosures. So there will be no chance of spilling water or laying on the probe.

Lankyrob · 06-06-13, 04:03 AM

Just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD. My personal view is that each animal should be afforded the same protection and each one should have its own heater, own thermostat.

Mikoh4792 · 06-06-13, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

Just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD. My personal view is that each animal should be afforded the same protection and each one should have its own heater, own thermostat.

I'll just use a herpstat 2 for two tubs and a helix for the other.

You aren't talking about flexxwat with one thermostat to heat multiple enclosures though are you? As in a racking system that uses 8 feet of flex watt hooked up to thermostat probe that is taped up directly on the heat tape. So 1 thermostat for a single strip of flex watt heating 8 tubs.