Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[AngelKeeper]

Whats the best thermostat to buy for a heat mat? How do you set them up, IE how can they control the mat, and how do I know my heatmat is compatible? They confuse me...
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Duane

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0.0.1 California King 'Angel'

[kroakykaren]

I use a pulse stat on my mats, the probe goes directly onto the mat and you set the dial at the desired temp the plug on the mat is plugged into a socket connected to the stat and the stat keeps the mat at the desired temp. hope that helps a bit I am sure others will have more info for you
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[Mwoxy]

You need to use a thermometer, a digital one with a probe is easiest(or a temperature gun), to set the temperature. Do not rely on the dial on the stat.

Put the thermometer probe in the viv/box, as the mat will quickly reach the temperature required for the reptile but that heat may not penetrate the box+substrate. Remember you want to control the heat in the viv, not the heat on the mat!!

Fixing the probe to the mat is good for rack systems, with plastic boxes but I prefer to put the probe in the viv if the mat is underneath or rear mounted. The thermal insulation of the vivarium material, can block all the heat of the mat if you set it up with the probe on the mat and use the dial temperature. Hence always check with a thermometer.

As long as the thermostat is capable of controlling the mat, i.e the mat hasn't got a lower wattage rating than the minimum rating of the thermostat, it really doesn't matter what type of stat you use. A mat stat is probably cheapest and they work fine!

Cheers

Mark

[BallGuy]

As mwoxy said a mat stat is the cheapest, but really can only be used for a mat.

I personally would rather pay the extra for a Pulse Stat, that way I can use them to power mat, ceramics and the like if I change my vivs round a bit.
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“If in doubt, just say nowt”