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Problems with digital thermo-hygrometers?

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Newbie
Yearling

950 Posts

Posted - 24/07/2011 : 08:42:15

Hiya,

I have 2 Exoterra digital dual thermo-hygrometers and for ages they were reaading fine but now one has started to indicate ridiculously high temps

I went in one day and was horrified to find Rio's hot end reading 35.6C and the heat mat still on, however when I checked the temp with the cool side thermometer it read as 27C, so the stat probe was correct in not de-activating the mat.

If I get it out for a while it will return to working normally, but 2 or 3 nights in Rio's RUB, which is quite humid, sets it off again! Can digi thermometers not be used in high humiity RUBs?

Sorry for the long post, just don't want to buy another digital in case it breaks to, currently removing it daily to keep it functioning. Its made me suspicious of the cool side one to, although that gives readings I would expect. The hot end one is lower down to prevent it being far hotter at the base, so I wonder if the orchid bark is upsetting it?

Thanks for any help!

1.0.0 Carolina Motley Cornsnake - Vin, 0.1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa - Rio, 0.1.0 IJJ Carpet Python - Luna, 0.1.0 Dwarf Sunfire Reticulated Python - Helia, 1.0.0 Royal Python - Jasper, 0.1.0 Spaniel - Jess; RIP Gypsy - a beautiful girl through and through, 0.1.0 Rabbit - Binky, RIP Indy, Jan 2010 - Aug 2011, and Ace, Jan 2009 - Aug 2011

gingerpony
Queen Bee

United Kingdom
10455 Posts

Posted - 24/07/2011 : 14:24:03

if the humidity seems to be causing an issue simply have the therm outside the RUB and run the probe inside

we've sometimes had a problem with bizarre readings when the batteries are running low

cornsnakes, ratsnakes, bullsnakes, boas and day geckos

Location:Leeds/York/Selby area

lotabob
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
4334 Posts

Posted - 24/07/2011 : 15:10:09

Yeah as above change the battery, I find that it would be much bettter if they just went blank when the battery was going but they seem to give didgy readings instead, I've had a 10% humidity reading and all sorts of wild temperatures, even taking the battery out and putting it back in again should sort it while you get a new battery. (Ebay is great for batteries, buy in bulk and save ��'s)

Also if its high humidity, condensation can accumulate in the humidity probe and knacker the reading, just put it in for 10-15 minutes to take a reading and then back out to air the probe off.

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Edited by - lotabob on 24/07/2011 15:12:04

Newbie
Yearling

950 Posts

Posted - 24/07/2011 : 18:14:47

Thanks for the replies, ashamed to say it didn't occur to me to check the batteries as they were still displaying! Will get some more. Might have to remove the probes and only put them in to check as you suggest, the humidity probably isn't helping matters! Thanks

lotabob
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
4334 Posts

Posted - 24/07/2011 : 18:32:14

I would never dismiss a high reading, it needs attention but before thinking the snake is going to be on fire think battery, probe positioning etc. I have a box full of button batteries for the thermometers always good to have around. A spare thermometer too for just in case.

Newbie
Yearling

950 Posts

Posted - 24/07/2011 : 20:15:03

Need to get some batteries, I have a second thermometer I can re-check with, its just not one designed to be sited in a tank, so I could tell the readings were inaccurate. Only get it in Rio's RUB, not Vin's, so guessing humidity is probably the culprit!

gingerpony
Queen Bee

United Kingdom
10455 Posts

Posted - 24/07/2011 : 21:11:32

i don't dismiss bizarre readings i double check them with a different thermometer, so far it's always been the original therm at fault though

cornsnakes, ratsnakes, bullsnakes, boas and day geckos

Location:Leeds/York/Selby area

lotabob
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
4334 Posts

Posted - 25/07/2011 : 00:06:35

Oh I didnt mean YOU (or anyone) dismisses them it was more of a general dont dismiss them its better to check

than just presume its the battery and ignore it.