2 vivs, 2 stats, 2 problems

Horness · #1 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 11:28 PM

While I was running one 48" viv with an 11"x11" heat mat, and a 100W Habistat, temps were spot on. 86-88 degrees according to the sensor on a digital "Lucky Reptile" thermometer, with mid-70's on the cool side.

We've recently setup a new 48" tank, with a smaller mat (as the tank is partitioned) and another 100W Habistat, and another digital thermometer.

Both Habistats are plugged into the same 4-gang socket - but neither one will now get over 80 degrees! Substrate is reptile carpet, 1 viv is glass, the other is wood.

What the hell is going on? I cannot imagine the mats, which can be no more than 20W are drawing enough to interfere with each other, and I've checked the cabling, and changed the 4-gang adapter.

I'm now running another socket from another room, just in case it's something to do with the socket on the wall!

Room temperature has not really changed much from what I can tell either.

Any idea's???

Horness

DeanThorpe · #2 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 11:32 PM

hey how long has the viv been set up?
it could take up to half a day to warm right through after being outside/bits of wood/in the car.

is the viv you already had now not getting warm enough to? what possible effect could building a new viv have on an existing vivs tempS?

Horness · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeanThorpe

hey how long has the viv been set up?
it could take up to half a day to warm right through after being outside/bits of wood/in the car.

is the viv you already had now not getting warm enough to? what possible effect could building a new viv have on an existing vivs tempS?

The glass one I've had for 8 weeks, running fine. The wooden one, since Sunday!

Almost seems like I add another viv - and it all went tits up! (or down in this case).

We're now thinking it may be the thermometers reading off. May have to borrow a probe.

DeanThorpe · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2007, 11:06 AM

but the original viv still has the same stat and same probe?

as it did before yes?

Horness · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2007, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeanThorpe

but the original viv still has the same stat and same probe?

as it did before yes?

Yes. Nothing has changed in the original.

I used an extension lead on the original stat last night to a different socket in the house, just to rule out any electrical anomalies. Same result.

I'm going to get a laser temp probe and test the surface area I think. Now we have 2 viv's on the go, I want to make sure everything is spot on all the time.

Horness

davenoble · #6 (**permalink**) 12-10-2007, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horness

While I was running one 48" viv with an 11"x11" heat mat, and a 100W Habistat, temps were spot on. 86-88 degrees according to the sensor on a digital "Lucky Reptile" thermometer, with mid-70's on the cool side.

We've recently setup a new 48" tank, with a smaller mat (as the tank is partitioned) and another 100W Habistat, and another digital thermometer.

Both Habistats are plugged into the same 4-gang socket - but neither one will now get over 80 degrees! Substrate is reptile carpet, 1 viv is glass, the other is wood.

What the hell is going on? I cannot imagine the mats, which can be no more than 20W are drawing enough to interfere with each other, and I've checked the cabling, and changed the 4-gang adapter.

I'm now running another socket from another room, just in case it's something to do with the socket on the wall!

Room temperature has not really changed much from what I can tell either.

Any idea's???

Horness

ill tell you what, even my mobile phone being charged in the same gang makes a difference. its wierd. the more mats i have on in my house they drop a degree or two

Horness · #7 (**permalink**) 14-10-2007, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davenoble

ill tell you what, even my mobile phone being charged in the same gang makes a difference. its wierd. the more mats i have on in my house they drop a degree or two

Blimey.

I plugged the mat into another socket all together, but it's made no difference.

With the draw being so small - how the hell can it be affected unless you have about 10 of them off 1 socket?

Strange elec-trickery.

Horness

DeanThorpe · #8 (**permalink**) 14-10-2007, 02:27 PM

it really shouldnt...
anything up to 2000 watts being pulled should flow fairly easily without dissruption.

anyway, could it be the room temp due to the weather has dropped a few degrees over the past few weeks?

best to just set it all up as you are now, forget the past lol just get those temps spot on.

Horness · #9 (**permalink**) 14-10-2007, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeanThorpe

it really shouldnt...
anything up to 2000 watts being pulled should flow fairly easily without dissruption.

anyway, could it be the room temp due to the weather has dropped a few degrees over the past few weeks?

best to just set it all up as you are now, forget the past lol just get those temps spot on.

That's similar to what our electrician at work said when I quizzed him about it.

I thought room temp, however the house temp is controlled by central heating, controlled by thermostats. This house is constantly about 22-24 degrees.

Everything is plugged is as it was - and still the original tank barely breaks 80. I've ordered a laser thermometer to double-check the surface temps in case it is my digital thermometers.
If this reads right, then I'll start swapping out the mat and stat. The stat itself does not get as hot as it used to, even when turned up to max.

Horness.

DeanThorpe · #10 (**permalink**) 14-10-2007, 03:33 PM

hey.
you keep leos yeh?
an 80 air temp is ok anyway, 80 cool end with a higher [88-95] belly temp from the mat or bask is ok.

good luck gettin it all sorted.

when you say the stat doesnt get as hot... is the stat kicking in and turning the heat off?
maybe its the probe position that needs tinkering?

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