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Zoo Med UTH?

What's the setup? (from the wall socket to the heater)
Some people have power problems with rheostats. I'm pretty sure it has to do with the amperage available to the rheostat.
Extension cords limit amperage. The thread you linked says use a household extension cord to "build" the rheostat, I would go heavier. If you use one get at least 12 gauge wire and get one as close to the actual length you need.
It may also be limited by the circuit it is on, if you turn off the breaker at the box and a lot of things turn off you may want to try another circuit if possible.
Orrr...you put the rheostat on your dining room light switch give up the extra bucks and get a thermostat, it's easier.
 
I went ahead and picked up the heavier extension when I built it, the 12 gauge.
The heater itself is plugged into the rheostat, the one on the 3rd page of that thread. and then the rheostat into the wall. Was that what you were asking? -scratches chin-
The circuit is possible, never really thought about that. It's always worked fine before.
I'm using an Accurite thermometer/hygrometer with a probe and it's under the substrate on the warm side where Dex usually lays. Right now he's in the humid hide I made, so he's warm. I was just worried why the temps keep fluctuating so much.
One minute it's right at 83, the next it drops down to 77. I'm just gonna use the rheostat for a lamp dimmer when I get my leopard geckos, and buy a ReptiTemp 500R.
If you think that's a better choice, anyways.
 
sacrifice.theory said:
I went ahead and picked up the heavier extension when I built it, the 12 gauge.
The heater itself is plugged into the rheostat, the one on the 3rd page of that thread. and then the rheostat into the wall. Was that what you were asking?
Click to expand...

Yep, just making sure. That sounds like it's as good as you can get it from that outlet.
I see some people having problems with rheostats and others use rheostats with no problems.
Without measuring I can only guess but I think it is a power problem before the rheostat. It's also possible that the controlling circuit in some rheostats made for lighting doesn't work well with a load like a heater.
I guess I'm just saying I don't know why, good idea on the thermostat.
 
What's the wattage of that unit? I've backed off even carrying some of the tiny ones, they barely produce noticeable heat when plugged in direct.
 
With a rheostatthe temps will fluctuate with the temps outside changing. I build two and I had to adjust it almost daily. but it's better than nothing.
Relocate the probe a little and see if that ups with getting the temps higher than 76 degrees.

But I did switch over to a ReptiTemp 500R when I got some spare money.
Not the best unit but....
 
elrojo said:
What's the wattage of that unit? I've backed off even carrying some of the tiny ones, they barely produce noticeable heat when plugged in direct.
Click to expand...

Good idea, plug it in without the rheostat and see what happens.
 
Of the UTH?
Well, the box says it's 24 watts.

Also, I plugged the unit into a different socket and the temps went up immediately, then came down and now the warm side is 82.
I covered about 2/3's of the top with a t-shirt to trap the heat inside, so hopefully that helps. Sucks that I'm the only one that decided to build the upgrade and had problems with it. :p
What's the best thermostat you guys recommend? I've asked before and got some responses on the 500R.
 
That's not too bad at all. They make some in the single digits that aren't worth the cardboard they come in. Exo-Terra's 24 watt gets 105 or so on the surface, if I remember correctly. I temp gunned several of them a few months back, but don't have the notes handy. At any rate, that one should get warm enough to create a nice spot if there's not too much insulation between the pad and animal.
 
Well the temp is up to 83 now, so hopefully it'll stay there. I put a little extra substrate in the tank because Dexter is a burrower, and you never see him. Didn't want him to go too deep and get burned, but I think I'll take some out and see if that helps.
Thank you guys sooooooo much!!
Oh, and I was looking at the Ranco that was suggested in another forum and they're seriously 100 bucks? Is it worth it?
 
That was my recommendation, I believe. I use them on racks and swear by them. For one animal/cage it would be quite costly, though. They work great and so far seem to last.


alan said:
Hey Chip, did you test different sizes? Think you can you find your results for us?
Click to expand...
Sure, if I can't find it, I can do it again. As long as I do it on the same surface in the same room and temp, it should be accurate enough to be a good representation.
 
elrojo said:
Sure, if I can't find it, I can do it again. As long as I do it on the same surface in the same room and temp, it should be accurate enough to be a good representation.
Click to expand...

Thanks, the Noodly Master will reward you for good deeds!
 
I also bought a Zoomed UTH when I was setting up for my corn. I got the 50-60 gallon size because atm she's in a 55gal tank. At first it ran alright and kept it about 80F, but after a few days it started slacking off. Now I have a bulb on top for supplemental heat. It's a low wattage and between the two it now consistantly stays between 80 and 85. Plus it has the advantage of getting some light in her tank, since it isn't in a location where she'll be able to have sunlight coming in. Just an alternative :)
 
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