I am looking to build a temperature control system. Need alot of ELECTRICAL EXPERTISE.?

Question

For a snake habitat. The enclosure is made of wood with a 1/2 screen top and 4ft x2ft glass front. The dimensions are 4ft long x 2 ft deep x 2ft tall. The temp inside needs to be able to be adjusted for day and night (preferably on its own) easily and accurately. Day temp being 80F-85F and night temp being 73F-75F. I am an electrician by trade so technical lingo is ok and I have knowledge and capability to safely wire everything up. I'm thinking of doing a split line with 2 timers (to its own separate rheostats or thermostats don't know which would be better) and wiring both to a piece of flex watt heat tape ( http://tinyurl.com/flexwatt... ) insulated from the wood so it doesn't burn. Any help would be great.

Answer 1

Very easy to build. You need to buy 2 thermostats,two timer and some heat lamps or small wattage heater element (250 watts). Make two sets,one for day set it into 85F and other set to 75 F. Adjust the location of heat lamp and thermostate until you obtain even temperature in the cage.

Answer 2

Use a home timer/thermostat.  Then buy an HVAC relay.  You will also need a 24VAC transformer.  Wire up the timer/thermostat to the 24 volt side to control the relay.  The high voltage side of the relay should control the house current AC heater.  Most timers run on battery and can last for several years.  Program the timer to whatever temperature your want and to what time.