Heating

Weepngprpht · #1 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 03:51 AM

Hey i want to heat a 55gl with a che and a uth on the same side....Thats not the issue i am under the understanding that this heat when done properly would also garner the correct heat for the cool side of the tank. My question is if the ranco herptat or any other one would regulate both devices because I wouldnt want the surface temperature from the uth to be to high? Also any other suggestion for heating greatly appreciated

TheBoaGuy · #2 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 07:46 AM

a thermostat only regulates one thing. Either use 2 thermostats or put the uth on a Dimmer and place your probe for your thermostat about 2 inches above your substrate on the hot side and hook up to your che. This will make the che work till the ambient temp is reached and then shut off or if you have a proportional thermostat will regulate wattage to keep the che at the proper temp. cool side temps usually falls into place on its own.

Nexus · #3 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 08:24 AM

A thermostat can be used to control both devices I run two CHE's in my boa tank a 350w at the warm end and a 150 watt at the cool end. The enclosure is 6 foot long so this creates my thermal gradient the probe for the thermostat is by the 350 watt CHE to control the hot end and the smaller heater boosts the cool end to give a nice thermal gradient. All you need to do is remove the plugs ang splice them to the output on the stat using a suitable connector.

The same principle should work for you even though both of your heat sources are at the same end. The only thing to ensure is that the sum of the devices being controlled do not exceed the rating of the thermostat.

Place the probe near the CHE as they have a very rapid rise time interms of heatup and take awhile to cool to normal temperature afterwards. I place my probe on a shaped stainless bar near the emitter and this holds the temperaure to within 7 degrees farenheit when I open the door for cleaning grabbing the snake etc.

Theirs a picture of the probe positioned by the CHE in my gallery under boa vivarium build.

Cheers
Nick

TheBoaGuy · #4 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 11:16 AM

putting your probe next to your che does nothing because the temps get over 475 degrees f. By doing it that way and attaching both a heat pad and che to the same thermostat you pretty much render the heat pad useless. Doing it this way would not get the ambient temp at the snakes level correct. Also if the che happened to burn out and the probe was up near the che you run a very severe risk of you heat pad getting way to hot and burning or killing yorur snake. Because the probe cannot get an accurate read off the pad leaving it on full blast

Nexus · #5 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 12:07 PM

By near the CHE i do not mean within a few millimetres the surface temperature of the CHE will reach in excess 475 degrees farenheit surface temperature if left unchecked by a thermostat. I position the probe approximately midway between the CHE and the bottom of the vivarium. By placing a thermometer on the base of the tank the thermostat can be set to correctly control the temperature. Although the thermostat reading will be set higher than the actual ground temperature, due to it being positioned closer to the emitter. Also the probe is not positioned directly under the emmiter but slightly to one side. The main reason for this positioning is to catch the emitter faster in its heat up cycle this prevents a large temperature bounce whilst the tank settles. The heat pad would normally remain at a steady temperature if the CHE is running but as you say will heat up to try and compensate if the CHE failed for some reason. I do not use heat pads but rely solely on the radiant heat from the CHE's in my Boa vivarium.

Cheers
Nick

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