More Accurate Temps

knox · 11-11-11, 10:12 AM

Want more accurate temperatures out of your thermostats and flexwatt? Here's a little trick I just found - which most of you may already know about. This is more for the new comers to the hobby.

I found that when I set my Herpstat to 90, I was still reading flexwatt temps around 94 to 96 along the length of the flex with my temp gun. My probe was taped like this:

However, I found that by placing a piece of foam shelf liner (nearly anything will do that helps hold in heat) over the probe, my temperatures were now between 90 and 91. A great improvement.

I figure there is less accuracy with nothing covering the probe, as heat is lost to the air and the probe needs to be surrounded rather than just sitting on the heat tape.

Anyway, I hope this helps someone out.

alessia55 · 11-11-11, 10:17 AM

Thanks for the tip!

mattlawdi · 11-11-11, 11:37 AM

good idea .... i will do that for my rack ( just bought the flexwatt today ) thx

**millertime89** · 11-11-11, 12:26 PM

thanks for the tip, I have noticed that with my homemade thermostats it can vary, one of them reads perfect, the other I'll have to do this with.

knox · 11-12-11, 10:10 PM

Learning all the time. Glad I can pass this along.

alessia55 · 11-12-11, 10:14 PM

Hmmm... Does this trick work with heat mats?

knox · 11-12-11, 10:18 PM

Well, it is more about the sensor probe for the thermostat. I was wanting to get closer readings on my Herpstat. I still monitor the temps inside my tubs with a Temp Gun.

In a sense, as long as the temp in the tub is right, it doesn't matter if the flexx is off by 5 degrees. However, being a stickler for details, I wanted my Thermostat to display a more accurate reading of what the flexxwatt temperature truly is.

alessia55 · 11-12-11, 10:22 PM

Hmm ok Thanks. I'm going to try it anyways to see if it makes a difference

knox · 11-12-11, 10:25 PM

I think I might have misunderstood your question... For that, I apologize.

If you are asking if it will work with the probe on the heat mat being covered, just as I covered it on the Flexx, the answer should be a resounding Yes. Your temp on the heat mat should be much closer to what your thermostat is set to.

Keep us posted.

Shmoges · 11-12-11, 10:27 PM

So by doing this the thermostat isn't over heating? I believe when I got my thermostats and racks the manufacturer of them recommended I attach the probe a couple inches away from the heat tape?

knox · 11-12-11, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shmoges

So by doing this the thermostat isn't over heating?

Overheating the Flexx or the heat mat?

If this is your question, then the answer is no. It is actually keeping it closer to the programmed temperature.

I found that by simply taping the probe to the flexx, only the bottom of the probe is in contact with the flexx. The top of the probe is exposed to the air, thus interfering with the overall temperature it is trying to measure and maintain.

By covering the probe, the heat from the flexx is contained, surrounding the probe itself, keeping more accurate temperatures.

At least this is what I found after using my temp gun in both cases. I took an educated guess at why this was the case.

I found that with simply taping the probe, the flexxwatt read a higher temp than what the thermostat was showing and trying to maintain. When I covered the probe, the temperature along the flexxwatt was within a degree or less of what the Herpstat was displaying.

knox · 11-12-11, 10:40 PM

Here ya go:

If you can make it out, the temp gun is reading 92.6, with the Herpstat reading 91.8. I have it set at 92.

Now, along the line of the flexwatt the temperature does fluctuate, as all flexwatt does. But right at the probe, that is pretty good.

knox · 11-12-11, 10:53 PM

Now, here's where it gets interesting.

In the middle of the flexx, between the tubs, the temp is 95.6, and at the opposite end of the Flexx it is 93.5 - of course, changing by a few tenths of a degree as the temp gun wavers in my hand.

Under the tubs, where the heat is trapped more, I am reading 100.2. Inside the tub, on the warm end, on top of the substrate it is 85. On the floor of the tub, under the substrate, it is 96. On the cool end of the tub it is 76. The air thermometer on the cool end is raeading 73.

All temps are safe for the snake, and allow for excellent thermoregulating even in the little 15 qt tub.

All of this to say - if you don't have a temp gun, please get one. Mine was only about $15, and I use it about every few days to double check temps. Warm side on top of substrate, under substrate. Same with cool side. It only takes a few seconds. I also keep air thermometers, as I stated.

I hope this helps people. It has been an excellent exercise for me. When my rack comes in, I will do the exact same tests. This is just a temporary set up:

Norm66 · 11-13-11, 12:32 PM

Thanks for this thread. I'm getting ready to start keeping snakes and this has been a good learning experience to see how things are done. The pics especially are a big help.

knox · 11-13-11, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm66

Thanks for this thread. I'm getting ready to start keeping snakes and this has been a good learning experience to see how things are done. The pics especially are a big help.

You are most welcome. It makes it worth it knowing someone can take something away to help them with their own snakes.