260watt Panel Heaters vs Heat Pads

[Athlordian]

Hi guys,

I'm stumped on what may be a very simple issue. I'm currently assembling a 1800mmx500mmx500mm vivarium for my Hog Island boa and was considering fitting a 260watt panel heater, running on a thermostat to regulate ambient cage temperature. Now, I'm unsure as to whether or not I should still fit a large heat pad in one corner to create a warm spot to aid with digestion. The heat pad will be on constantly and will not run off a thermostat, seeing as it runs at a nice 28-30 degrees all the time. I'm in two minds about fitting the heat pad though and was wondering what you guys would do? Is the panel heater enough or would you fit the heat pad too?

[jhbhc]

1 or 2 large heat pads and infrared heat lamp is how i do it. U can set the heat pads on the thermostat but don't do that with the lighting it looks like a club with the lights switching on and off every few minutes:)

[Athlordian]

I've decided against the use of infra-red lamps and CHEs. The 260watt panel heaters are like R279, which makes them an exceptional long term solution for heating a nice big enclosure. They have a built in thermostat, but I'd still put a secondary thermostat on it, just in case. I'm just wondering if it'll be viable to have a heat pad when you have a panel heater mounted at the top of the cage. The panel heater measures 600mmx400mm and is only 10mm thick, so it'll be about a 3rd of the cage once mounted. I have a funny feeling that adding a heat pad will be overkill...

[Bushviper]

A panel heater will be ample. You can combine the panel heater and the heating pad on the same thermostat because where the probe is will depend what temperatures the snake is exposed to. You can also place a shelf in the cage (with the heating pad) and set the thermostat probe on the shelf so that the snake climbs up there to get the right heat. He can also climb under the shelf if it gets too hot. Set the thermostat at 30 degrees during the day and 24 at night. Make sure your humidity is right for Hogg island boas as they like it fairly humid.

[Athlordian]

Awesome...cheers for that Bushviper...much appreciated!

[uncutdiamonds]

260 watt sound like a lot of energy to me.

I'm on the other hand how a infrared light (in the range of 60Watt) IN THE cage is going to work with snakes. I'm a bit concerned that they could burn themselves on the thing.

[Snakes4Africa]

They will most certainly burn themselves on the lights. The lights do not give 60Watts of heat, but rather more light which is unnecessary to the snake. Heat from a light is a by-product and is a waste of energy. The panel heater, although labelled 260 Watt, is self-regulating and does not burn 260Watts constantly.

[uncutdiamonds]

They will most certainly burn themselves on the lights.

That's what I'm concerned about. That they may climb on the light and burn themselves.

The lights do not give 60Watts of heat, but rather more light which is unnecessary to the snake. Heat from a light is a by-product and is a waste of energy.

It's infrared light, it can warm up surfaces via radiating warmth. That principle is even used in certain electric heaters who give out a quite comfortable warmth unlike most conventional heating units.
Energy can not be created nor destroy; just transformed into another form of energy. For being wasted it would have to leave the enclosure in some way (as light perhaps) again.

The panel heater, although labelled 260 Watt, is self-regulating and does not burn 260Watts constantly.

Oh, it's just the capacity. It can give 260 Watt, if required. If not it scales down or switches off.

[Athlordian]

I felt one of the 260watt panel heaters this weekend...the surface wasn't that hot. It comes with a thermostat too, so you can run it consistently at a nice, comfortable temperature. I was also thinking of adding a secondary thermostat, set 2 or 3 degrees higher than the built-in thermostat, just in case the built-in thermostat fails. I'd probably need a 175watt or a 250watt infra-red bulb to warm an enclosure of that size effectively anyway, so I may just as well go with the panel heater option, especially when you calculate the cost of replacement bulbs and energy consumption versus that of the panel heater. Yes, no?

[uncutdiamonds]

I felt one of the 260watt panel heaters this weekend...the surface wasn't that hot. It comes with a thermostat too, so you can run it consistently at a nice, comfortable temperature. I was also thinking of adding a secondary thermostat, set 2 or 3 degrees higher than the built-in thermostat, just in case the built-in thermostat fails.

I happened to test the setting today as well. It's a 7watt heating pad + 60Watt infrared-bulb in a 60x40x40 vivarium.

I'd probably need a 175watt or a 250watt infra-red bulb to warm an enclosure of that size effectively anyway, so I may just as well go with the panel heater option, especially when you calculate the cost of replacement bulbs and energy consumption versus that of the panel heater. Yes, no?

My setting heats the vivarium up to 30 degrees during the day and the temperature will fall to 25 degrees during the night. What I noticed is that the humidity drops from above the 30% to about 25%. There is corncob in the vivarium and a bowl of water on the heating pad.

My main concern with the bulbs is that an animal can burn itself, when climbing on it. Concerning the heat energy added it doesn't make a difference whether it's a bulb or a panel heater. What you put in you will get out. Just that with a light the energy may leave still in the form of light-waves.

[munnik]

I have a 260W in my Boa's cage. Got it running on an analogue thermostat from Brights and it works like a charm. See my previous post viewtopic.php?f=95&t=21958 Only thing I did different was to mount the panel on the back of the cage vs mounting it on the roof. I found when mounting it on the roof I didn't get good heating, but once on the back of the cage (with the gap to allow for the convection movement) I got very good temps. It also took care of my Boa's RI.

My cage is 2m x 0.6m x 0.6m. I have 2 heat pads with the hide box half on the pad/half off.

[Athlordian]

Awesome bit of feedback munnik...thanks a lot mate! My new unit will be a stack of three 1,8m x 0.6m x 0.5m, so I'm gonna see about fitting it in an upright position against one of the sides then. Is it really necessary for the heat pads though? Wouldn't the panel heater be enough to sort out the temps in an enclosure of that size?