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Gecko-Guy · #1 (**permalink**) 03-20-2004, 01:12 PM

Hey guys, i just bought a new cobra heat mat for a future ATB. I also bought a thermostat to keep at a constant 80. The problem is that when i tested it out, the temp in the enclosure did not go up. It stayed at about 70(room temp.) I cranked the thermostat up to full power and there was no change. I tried putting the mat outside and under the tank (i taped it to adhere it to the bottom. I also tried to put in inside, but nothing happen in either case. The heat mat feels warm though, like its working just not all the way. I left it on overnight just plugged into a wall without the thermostat and again there was still no change. The box says it is supposed to operate at a constant 100 without a thermostat, so right now i have no idea what's going on. Should i permanately adhere it to the inside of the eclosure? I heard that that gives better heat transfer. I also should mention the mat is 6" x 11" and the enclosure is about 10" x 20". At least there's still a month to figure this out before the snake gets here.

JuliusSqueezer · #2 (**permalink**) 03-20-2004, 01:19 PM

Maybe the thermometer is bad?

NicoleRussell · #3 (**permalink**) 03-20-2004, 01:31 PM

do you have a thermostat with a probe or is it a "thru-glass" type...where is the probe set (if there is one)?
Try taking away the thermostat and testing temps...also what are you testing temps with? a dial or a digital?
All this means something....along with an important: What are the ambient temps in your house? Being that I know the temp of my herp room...I have 2 heat sources on certain enclosures with thermostatic controls: one on steady and on one side...and one set to come on only when/if the ambient temps go down to a cetain temp and this works.

Gecko-Guy · #4 (**permalink**) 03-20-2004, 02:00 PM

i have a thermostat that just has two sockets. The uth is attached to it and the controller is outside the tank. I have a dial thermometer. The problem is, i did test the uth without the thernmostat and nothing happened. So i dont know whats going on.The temp in my house is about 65-70 degrees. What im confuse about is that the box said it would run 100 degrees without a thermotat and when i checked it it felt the same. It certaintly did not feel like 100 dgrees when i ytouched it. im beginning to think i have a faulty heat pad.

NicoleRussell · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2004, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gecko-Guy

i have a thermostat that just has two sockets. The uth is attached to it and the controller is outside the tank. I have a dial thermometer. The problem is, i did test the uth without the thernmostat and nothing happened. So i dont know whats going on.The temp in my house is about 65-70 degrees. What im confuse about is that the box said it would run 100 degrees without a thermotat and when i checked it it felt the same. It certaintly did not feel like 100 dgrees when i ytouched it. im beginning to think i have a faulty heat pad.

Among a few others I have a cobra heat mat on one of my cages...and I use another heat mat to supplement it...this matt by itself really doesn't bring up temps well enough in an open top tank (screen).
I think when they say 100 D they are talking about surface temp of the matt.....
Also:
a. dial type readings are always inaccurate, try and get a digital
b. If the thermostat does not have a probe--it has to be exactly in the area you are measuring...probes are better(are you sure there is no probe?)...which one do you have ESU or Zoomed?
c. Try placing the dial right on top of the pad and see what reading it gives.
d. What substrate are you using?

With snakes, this is not my area...but getting temps and humidity correct is something I have to do with each cage...some lizards require exact ranges while others are more forgiving.
Substrates play a role---some conduct heat better. Sometimes the pad is better off in the cage sometimes out of the cage, under the glass.
I have animals who burrow so being those pads come on at night and the animal will be sleeping on top of it---I take readings accordingly. Then you have animals who are aboreal sleepers--for those animals I use overhead heat at night and do not bother with mats.
If it makes you feel better, you can exchange your pad for another to ensure you have a defect free item and take it from there.
Once you know it is not the pad itself, you start supplementing heat until your temps are perfect.

Gecko-Guy · #6 (**permalink**) 03-20-2004, 02:27 PM

well i have a zoomed and it doesnt have aprobe. The surface are barely feels like 70 let alone 100 degrees. So, maybe i do have a defective one, how can i return it if i got it from reptile direct. I guess i can try putting substarte on top or something.

reptilemama · #7 (**permalink**) 03-20-2004, 02:38 PM

Those little dial thermometers can be really innaccurate. Try getting a good digital indoor/outdoor thermometer (a necessity in my opinion) and measure the temps with that. Those heat mats aren't really designed to raise air temps, just provide belly heat, and since an ammie won't be spending much time on the ground, it might be better to go with a heat bulb instead.

NicoleRussell · #8 (**permalink**) 03-20-2004, 02:45 PM

without a probe the thermostat will not be very effective. Reptiles direct is GREAT with returns. Just email them from their website.
Have your reciept handy if you do not have a reciept reprint it from the site. Also try to exchange the thermostat for one with a probe.
If you have any problems with your return PM me--I have a great relationship with the admin there

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