| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| fjfenton |
Posted - 05/11/2009 : 22:05:39
Hi. Im having loads of trouble keeping my vivs at the correct temps. I used to use heat mats with no probs, but due to my royals getting bigger I have switched onto ceramic bulbs , which have given me nothing but trouble  I have checked the witing an that all fine, they are on stat which re working fine. What happens is they work when i initially put them in but then stop working after 2-3 weeks: I have tried chaning fuses, taking them out and putting them back in, I'v checked the wiring and made sure there is nothing shorting them. Also they are surrounded by guards so they cannot be 'got at' by the snake.
I am at a loss what to try next, and it is costing me a fortune  any suggestions welcome
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| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Gingerpony |
Posted - 07/11/2009 : 11:47:33
are you using a ceramic holder for the ceramic bulb?
you should be ideally as they can cope with the heat where plastic holders can melt.... |
| Blackecho |
Posted - 06/11/2009 : 12:23:08
There have been a few cases recently of faulty ceramics, some even melting. |
| bengy_s |
Posted - 06/11/2009 : 11:59:55
Probably reptiles-ink above is right as he supplies owners here with wiring and guards etc. so he knows what he's talking about. Just out of curiousity, can you list your equipment i.e. manufacturer and model of stat, manufacturer and wattage of bulb. Is the cable "heat proof" & the bulb holder a specific ceramic one (normal bulb holders aren't built to cope with the higher temperatures).
A typical set up for ceramic would be: exo terra ceramic bulb 100w, Microclimate 600w capacity Pulse Proportional thermostat all wired up to heat proof cable with a ceramic bulb holder.
If you're using a different type of stat then it could explain why they're blowing, as ceramics are supposed to be used with a pulse or dimmer stat, not a simple on/off stat. |
| reptiles-ink |
Posted - 05/11/2009 : 23:25:23
It could be the ceramic holder as it is a common problem.
First unplug from the mains.
Unscrew the bulb.
The contact in the middle of the holder, bend it out towards the opening of the holder a bit.
The problem with them is that a lot of ceramic bulbs dont have as larger middle pin as a lot of other bulbs so full contact is not always made.
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| ookami |
Posted - 05/11/2009 : 22:37:33
hi im going to use an infra red bulb when Igbo moves into his viv you might want to give this a go it will certanly be cheaper lol xxx |
