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More heater problems... at my wits end!

kipchack

kipchack

New member
So I got a new thermostat for my UTH that was going a few degrees above healthy, it's a Zoo Med one that I got off of Amazon. I paid more than the price of the thermostat to have it shipped next day but figured it'd be worth it.

I put Asha in his feeder bin and installed the thermostat, and since there's no actual number or way of setting it aside from a dial, I turned the dial down to the low end and gave it some time.

When I inspected it later it had JUMPED to over 96 degrees!! I unplugged the heater and waited for it to cool down, then tried plugging it in again with the thermostat on to see if it could at least keep it at 80-85 degrees. When I checked it again (this involved waking up every two hours overnight and Asha sleeping in his bin) it was up to 97 degrees. It NEVER went higher than 93 degrees without the thermostat. I tried fussing with the dial and I could make it even hotter but I could not cool it down.

I've had it unplugged now for a while and I've been cranking the heat in my house as well as leaving a space heater on in the snake room and the temperature has been maintained between 75-82 degrees consistently, but I can't afford to keep doing this. Has anyone else experienced similar issues with a thermostat and know how to fix it? I hate thinking I just blew 50 bucks on a broken thermostat and I can only get half of it back if I return it.

I'm also really worried because Asha was due to be fed last night but with the heating problems I didn't want to risk a regurge due to the heat fluctuations and I know snakes like a warm spot for digestion... Is it safe to feed him with the temperature as it is right now? Should I hold off for a few days until I sort this mess out?
 
My best guess is that it's something to do with your setup or where you're measuring the temp.

Sorry to go back to basics, but just to check: The thermostat's plugged into the mains and the UTH is plugged into the socket on the thermostat. The UTH is underneath one end of the tank. The thermostat probe is inside the tank, resting on the floor immediately above the UTH. You're measuring the temperature of the floor surface using your digital thermometer, exactly where the thermostat probe is.

If this is the case and the thermostat is turned right down and still gives you a reading of 90+, I'd double check the thermometer isn't faulty. It isn't logical for a UTH on a thermostat, to actually get hotter than the uncontrolled UTH without the thermostat. A thermostat will only ever turn the UTH down - it can't turn it up from an uncontrolled maximum.

Sorry you're having such a nightmare, but it's very curious.
 
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Are you sure you bought a Thermostat and not a Rheostat because Zoo Med sells both.

To check the thermometer for calibration. Put the thermometer probe in a glass of ice water that is full of ice. The thermometer should between 32F (0C) to 35F (2C).
 
This is the thermostat I bought: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AQD9A/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

The thermostat probe and the thermometer sensor are in the same spot and they seem anchored on fine. The only thing I can think of is that the UTH is just getting hotter on its own because when I first got it it didn't get above around 87 for several days, usually hovering at 85 but then it slowly started to rise until it was above comfort level. Perhaps it just decided to spike more at the same time as me installing the thermostat and it's just a nasty coincidence. The tank DEFINITELY felt too warm and so did he when I took him out of the tank and it was still a few degrees cooler then.

I'm thinking about going to the pet store and asking what they recommend... I'm really not impressed that I've spent 50 bucks on a thermostat that is doing nothing to help keep my baby from being barbecued. I'm also really worrying about whether I should feed him or not and whether he's okay with just ambient room heat for now.
 
You can certainly return the thermostat as faulty and get a replacement free of charge. It might be worth trying another?

I wish I could be more help but your setup's absolutely spot on. I really don't know what to advise next.
 
If you can't get it resolved, try a different brand of thermostat. Personally, I really dislike ZooMed's thermostat (the one you linked). I've had a few, and all failed within the first year or year and a half. It's most definitely possible that this one is faulty from the get-go, and that's what it's sounding like, if you have everything set up correctly... Up until they failed, my 500Rs did manage to keep temps where I wanted them (within a few degrees, and checking regularly to make sure of that, of course) without issue.

Zilla's thermostat is better quality. Still not fantastic, but certainly better than ZooMed's and only $30. (http://www.amazon.com/Zilla-11939-T...d=1350334768&sr=1-1&keywords=zilla+thermostat)

I've also heard good things about the HydroFarm thermostat, which is digital and still priced in the $30-40 range. (http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTP...1350334900&sr=8-2&keywords=thermostat+reptile)

There are still much higher quality thermostats than any of these three, but, at that point, you're getting into the $100+ range. If cost is not a problem, Herpstats are fantastic and very reliable. I swear by mine, which I've been using for almost 5 years.
 
I'm going to call the manufacturer and see if they can replace it and cover the shipping... I paid the price of the thermostat in rush shipping as well so even if I go through Amazon to get a refund I'll only get half my money back. I'd much rather get a working replacement.

I really do need some advice on whether or not to feed him though- I've been alternating with the room space heater on and off (if I leave it on too long it gets too warm but if I leave it off too long it gets around 71-74 degrees at the coldest) lately and he seems content enough but he is due to be fed and I don't know if it's safe to feed him with the temperature fluctuating like it is- I don't want to cause a regurge. He has a separate feeding bin but I usually remove him from it as soon as he's swallowed fully and leave him in his tank untouched for 48 hours afterwards. But if I have to play around with a new thermostat or do other things to the tank to alter the heat is it safe to do that? I'd leave him in his feeding bin for a couple days but I worry since it's not heated either and I know snakes need heat to digest properly. Help!!
 
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