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Herpstat Thermostat Problem

Dixie Serpent Den

Dixie Serpent Den

DIXIE SERPENT DEN
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We have the ND and the regular one. We like them but are having problems keeping the temp constant on them. We set the temperture and it changes constantly by 3-6 degrees. We put a thermometer on each rack to double check the temps and we are having to set the herpstats at 83-86 to get a 93-96 temp. I am thinking we are just not doing something right with the herpstat but can't figure out what. We have the probes for the herpstat 1/4" away from the heat tape and it still wont keep the heat where we need it. This is a problem cause now we have sick snakes do to the temp dropping and us not knowing. I know the herpstat is a good thermostat. I just don't know what we can do to get it to work right so we can trust the temp we set it on and stop this temp changing so more dont get sick. If anyone has the problem or knows what we are doing wrong please help us. Thanks so much....
 
so..

So the herpstat is set at 83-86 and the temp inside the tub on the back wall is in the 90's? If that is the case then the probe needs to move a tiny bit closer to the heat taep. I am assuming the heat tape is 11" width?
 
Yes, we have 11" heat tape, the racks are 6' high, it runs down the back on each rack. The probe is only 1/4" away from the heat tape right now. We had it on the heat tape directly but the temps were even harder to keep stable. The room is 72-75 degrees, the thermostat is set at 86 and the thermometer says the temp is 93. It changes themp from 90-96 and we don't change the room or termostat temp at all. I am just confused on it all.
 
the thermameter's probe is taped the same way as the thermostats just on a different shelf which i don't think would matter. We have a thermameter on each rack to check the temp off the heat tape since I can't trust the thermostat's. The thermameter is a acurite.
 
The best thing to do would be to test the probe accuracy. Remove the thermostat for service briefly for the test (disconnected your rack). Tape a couple of your thermometer probes together with the Herpstat Probe at the tips. Then monitor the temps with the probes just hanging in the air. Give it about 5 minutes to stabilize. The acurites can be a couple of degrees off and still be in spec. The Herpstat probe will be more accurate as they have a +- .9 degree accuracy from the manufacturer of the sensor. You should get a good idea at that point if you have a acurite that is out of calibration or something is wrong with the Herpstat probe. If they are a couple of degrees off you can use the sensor matching option of the Herpstat to match it to your acurite thermometers.

Another way to look at it...
Say the actual temp is 85 degrees
That means the Herpstat probe can be 84.1 to 85.9 and it is still in spec.

Digital thermometers like the accurite are typically +- 2 degrees. So that means it can show 83-87 degrees in spec.

Then if you compare the Herpstat and accurite at their opposite ends that mean the acurite could show 87 and the Herpstat 84.1 and technically both are still in spec. :)

Dion Brewington
Owner, Spyder Robotics
 
spyderrobotics said:
The best thing to do would be to test the probe accuracy. Remove the thermostat for service briefly for the test (disconnected your rack). Tape a couple of your thermometer probes together with the Herpstat Probe at the tips. Then monitor the temps with the probes just hanging in the air. Give it about 5 minutes to stabilize. The acurites can be a couple of degrees off and still be in spec. The Herpstat probe will be more accurate as they have a +- .9 degree accuracy from the manufacturer of the sensor. You should get a good idea at that point if you have a acurite that is out of calibration or something is wrong with the Herpstat probe. If they are a couple of degrees off you can use the sensor matching option of the Herpstat to match it to your acurite thermometers.

Another way to look at it...
Say the actual temp is 85 degrees
That means the Herpstat probe can be 84.1 to 85.9 and it is still in spec.

Digital thermometers like the accurite are typically +- 2 degrees. So that means it can show 83-87 degrees in spec.

Then if you compare the Herpstat and accurite at their opposite ends that mean the acurite could show 87 and the Herpstat 84.1 and technically both are still in spec. :)

Dion Brewington
Owner, Spyder Robotics
Click to expand...

Is there not a way to ohm out the probe and compare the reading to a chart? That would be a faster way to test the probe..
 
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