Thermostat probe placement

[Pro Geckos]

I got a new AP rack last fall. Recently I'm having problems with keeping heat consistent. It's controlled with a herpstat and I've tried the probe on the heat tape and inside the container with the latter being more consistent. I would rather not use a "dummy box" for the probe as I loose space. So for those of you with this type of rack where are you placing the probe?

 

[Jeremy Letkey]

I do not have an AP rack but I'll share how I place mine.

There is a gap between tubs. I elevate the probe to simulate the floor level or the tub of humid hide. I place my probe near the middle of the middle shelf. Hope it makes sense.

A simple pic probably would have saved the need for any typing. lol So here it is.

 

[paulnj]

Jeremy can you please tell me the difference in tub floor temps(in a hide) compared to the temp the thermostat is set too?

 

[Jeremy Letkey]

It will and does vary. This is my disclaimer. lol
With that said, by elevating the probe so that it is the same height off of the heat tape as the tub floor you can set it at the exact temp you want. There should be no difference.

 

[paulnj]

Very good idea, I will definately give that a try on one of my racks. Thanks for the input.

 

[dprince]

What is that you elevated the probe with? I'll give it a whirl as well. :main_yes:

 

[preacherman]

Cody, I have a few AP racks that I've been using for a while. I had no problems keeping the temps constistent until our recent move. Now I can't seem to keep them constant no matter what type of thermostat I use or where I place the probe. I hope you can figure it out. Let me know if you do

 

[Jeremy Letkey]

I trimmed the bottom off of a plastic cup. I had a bunch laying around from a party and it worked well. I think that anything that will lift the probe about 1/4" up off of the tape will work. It must also fit in between the tubs.

 

[dprince]

Thanks Jeremy, I'll give it a try and see how it goes. Thanks for the tips!! :main_thumbsup:

 

[Pro Geckos]

Thanks for the info! I have put the probe in the center of the tubs. I've actually foil taped it to the heat tape and on another test put card board under it. Both still had some fluctuation. When I push the tubs apart the rack heats up. When they are pushed close together the temps drop. It tells me that even if the probe is on the heat tape it's reading ambient temps. I'm sure having the room temps consistent will do the same for the rack but in my area it's hard to maintain the room. Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[Ccrashca069]

Thats a very clever idea Jeremy . I have looked at some AP racks but don't have one. When I get a premade rack I will use that idea for sure.

 

[liljenn]

Okay, that is just a very ingenious idea! I am going to try it too!

I use a "dummy" tub w/ digital thermometer probe under a hide on top of the paper towels. The thermostat probe on the heat tape. There is ~10 degree difference between the two. But it is consistent by 2 +/-, even when I check with my heat gun. BUT like Cody, I don't want to lose tub space in the future!

 

[2.1SRR.YYC]

I place my Herpstat probe right on top of the heat tape and measure the temps in the tub until I get the tubs up to 92 degrees. My Herpstat is set at 99.5 degrees. Diff is 7.5 degrees...