Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok so i bought the temp controller the guys down at reptile basics shipped it all set up and ready to go pretty much idiot proof! well its mounted and all but i just dont feel like its doing its job! i have 3 35q tubs on my rack 4" tape approx 18" long covers the width of the tubs... can someone tell me how the SP ADS and other thing should be set up. i want to keep the tubs at 85 degrees!
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Thanks for you time
SPC Danny Tejeda
US Army Reserves
0.1 Pastel Ball Python
1.1 Normal Het Pied
2.0.1 Red Ear Slider
0.0.1 Unknown Box Turtle

Give Rich at RBI a call...he's very helpful with that stuff.
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Dale....dgoins222@yahoo.com
www.LibertyReptiles.com

Here are the settings we use on our Johnson t-stats:

SP (setpoint) - You will have to determine this value by checking the tub temp with a temp gun and adjusting the SP until your desired temp is achieved.

dIF (differential) - 1

ASd (anti-short cycle delay) - 0

SF (sensor failure) - 0

OFS (temperature offset) - 0 (unless you are using the night drop feature)

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Louis Kirkland
Cornerstone Reptiles
Extreme Exotics

We list our basic settings at the FAQ below, very similar to Louis' settings.

Keep in mind that your setpoint ("92F" is relative, it varies according to probe placement, and you should use a temp gun to accurately measure actual hotspot temp, then adjust up or down accordingly.
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robyn@proexotics.com

ShipYourReptiles.com
Pro Exotics Reptiles

Sorry, forgot to paste in the link : )
PE Johnson Control typical settings

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robyn@proexotics.com

ShipYourReptiles.com
Pro Exotics Reptiles

i got a three shelve rack the probe is in the middle rack taped down to the right end of the heat tape. for some reason i been raising the temp and the buckets stay at room temp still. so far im up to 95 degrees. any tips?

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Thanks for you time
SPC Danny Tejeda
US Army Reserves
0.1 Pastel Ball Python
1.1 Normal Het Pied
2.0.1 Red Ear Slider
0.0.1 Unknown Box Turtle

Check the connection on the heat tape.

I would connect the heat tape directly to a wall outlet and see how much high it goes. It should go over 120F.

95F is quite the desired value I would think.
Is that the temp in your room ?
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love this world, don't hate it.

My room temp is 70 the controller is reading 95 but my tubs are at room temp
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Thanks for you time
SPC Danny Tejeda
US Army Reserves
0.1 Pastel Ball Python
1.1 Normal Het Pied
2.0.1 Red Ear Slider
0.0.1 Unknown Box Turtle

Its because you have the probe laying on the heat tape. Your temperature is going to be 90 degrees where ever the probe is sitting. Anything above that (the inside of the tubs for example) is going to decrease in temperature from the placement of the probe. You need to drill a hole in the middle tub and run the probe in through the back of that tub. You want the probe to be sitting about 2-3" above the heat tape. That way it will be at the correct temperature right where the plug is placed i.e. right where the snakes are. Hope this helps man. Good luck.
Will Wohlers

also what has worked for me is cutting a piece of plastic and tape that to the heat tape then but the prob on top of that. this way works great that way you dont have to worry about it every time you pull the tube out. hope this helps bottom line is if the prob is right on the heat tape you wont ever get it to work right.
Nate
Normal Exotic's

Hi I have my probs taped right on the heat tape in all my racks and it works perfect. if your tubs are room temp your tape or t-stat is not working plug the heat tape in the wall to test. it will not raise the air temp to 95 just the surface temp of the tub over the tape.

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Jason Amos

Ball Pythons
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1.1 Lemon Blast
1.0 BumbleBee
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Dogs
1.1 Staffordshire Bull Terriers

that makes more sense then what they told me over the phone on how to place the probe. once again thanks everyone! and everyone on this site
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Thanks for you time
SPC Danny Tejeda
US Army Reserves
0.1 Pastel Ball Python
1.1 Normal Het Pied
2.0.1 Red Ear Slider
0.0.1 Unknown Box Turtle