Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recieved my Big Apple thermostat a couple of days ago and lets just say that i'm never goin back! This thermostat is awesome. It cost a bundle, but the security and stability you get is more than worth the price tag.

My question-- I'm trying to rig the thermostat up so that it controls two different pieces of flexiwatt heat tape. the 11 inch heat tape that originally was hooked up is running at the original 88 degress, but the second piece of 3 inch tape is bouncing between 75 and 85. I actually don't need the second piece to get hotter than 85,but i don't understand why there is the bouncing of temps in the second strip of tape. the cages are side by side, and the heat tape is plugged into a 6 outlet strip, which is then plugged into the thermostat. sorry for the long post, thanks for any help!

carole

For both cages to be the same i would think the both pieces of heat tape would have to be the same. 11 inch heat tape has a higher wattage so it will be warmer.

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Now the second piece of 11" heat tape stays between about 83 and 86 degrees. The first piece still stays between 87.5 and 88.5. The sensor is placed in the back left side of the warm side. There is a thermometer next to it. The thermometer is placed in an identical spot in the second enclosure. i'm wondering if the temperature varience has to do with using the outlet?? thanks for the help!

carole