Kane mat alarm persists

Unitygraph

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Hi,
Need some help with my newly installed 18x18 Kane heat mat w/ thermostat. I have a mini oil filled radiator heater keeping up the ambient temp at 80 degrees. My Kane mat is also set at 80 degrees. I noticed the next day that the alarm was going off on the Kane thermostat controller that read ALH. Which means “High Temperature Alarm”. The thermostat was reading at 86 degrees, though the set point is 80 degrees. I remember on the instructions after reading it, that the temp of the mat goes 37 degrees above the ambient temperature. So then I set the Kane mat’s thermostat to 43 degrees, since the ambient temp 80 degrees. After awhile, the alarm started going off again and still reading between 86 degrees. Not sure what to do at this point. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, J
 

wellington

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I would either call the place that sold it to you and see if you can return it if you just bought it or the manufacturer.
If it's new it sounds defective if it's not new it might be time to replace it.
Where do you have it placed? Floor or side wall? Do you have a heat source above it?
The temp of 86 is fine but if its defective then I would worry that the temp may not be ready right either.
 

Unitygraph

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Thank you so much for the reply. The heat mat sits on the floor of the night box and the oil filled heater is on the same side. The heater sits on a shelf about 10” off the ground. it’s right next to the heat mat but not directly above it.
I can take a pic in a bit. Thanks again.
I would either call the place that sold it to you and see if you can return it if you just bought it or the manufacturer.
If it's new it sounds defective if it's not new it might be time to replace it.
Where do you have it placed? Floor or side wall? Do you have a heat source above it?
The temp of 86 is fine but if its defective then I would worry that the temp may not be ready right either.
 

Unitygraph

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I forgot to mention. If I remember correctly, the other day when I got a temp gun on it. It read a few degrees higher possibly, but nothing alarming.
QUOTE="wellington, post: 1975997, member: 12055"]
Also, get a point and shoot temp gun and read the temp of the mat and see what it reads
[/QUOTE]
 

Maro2Bear

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I agree with Wellington, something seems out of whack there with your Kane mat.

Since you have a few items in play here (mat, thermostat & heater) is it easy for you to disconnect components & test them individually?

Where do you have the temperature/thermostat probe placed? Maybe you have to relocate the probe.

Some overall pix will help.
 

Unitygraph

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I unplugged it last night and it reads the same as it did when it was plugged in. So I just checked right now with a temp gun and in the center was like 86 degrees and on the outer perimeter is like 83 unplugged. That’s weird.
Also, get a point and shoot temp gun and read the temp of the mat and see what it reads
 

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Unitygraph

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Hi, the thermostat is pet of the Kane mat. There’s no probe. The thermostat line plugs straight into the Kane heat mat.
I agree with Wellington, something seems out of whack there with your Kane mat.

Since you have a few items in play here (mat, thermostat & heater) is it easy for you to disconnect components & test them individually?

Where do you have the temperature/thermostat probe placed? Maybe you have to relocate the probe.

Some overall pix will help.
 

wellington

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I agree with Wellington, something seems out of whack there with your Kane mat.

Since you have a few items in play here (mat, thermostat & heater) is it easy for you to disconnect components & test them individually?

Where do you have the temperature/thermostat probe placed? Maybe you have to relocate the probe.

Some overall pix will help.
I agree here. Maybe the radiator is too close and affecting the temp probe.
Move the mat away and hang a che or better is a radiant heat panel above it.
You could also just put the heat mat in your house over night and see if being away from the radiator fixes the problem.
 

Len B

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I think the heater needs to be turned down some because it affects the temperature of the mat. I use the same system that you are using without additional thermostats. Once you get it set right you shouldn't have to change it again. While setting the heater you can hear a slight click when it turns off while turning the knob down slowly. It may take a while to get it set where you want it.
 

wellington

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I think the heater needs to be turned down some because it affects the temperature of the mat. I use the same system that you are using without additional thermostats. Once you get it set right you shouldn't have to change it again. While setting the heater you can hear a slight click when it turns off while turning the knob down slowly. It may take a while to get it set where you want it.
If the heater is set so the enclosure is at the correct temp then turning it down would just make the enclosure colder then it should be.
Is your heater a radiator heater and that close to the mat?
 

Len B

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If the heater is set so the enclosure is at the correct temp then turning it down would just make the enclosure colder then it should be.
Is your heater a radiator heater and that close to the mat?
Yes it's a oil filled radiator heater but not as close the one in the pic. I use Stanfield mats but Kane has a great reputation for quality and doubt its an equipment problem. Now the enclosure is getting hotter than wanted so reducing the temp setting slightly on the heater should fix the problem. I personally would move the mat away from the heater. I will get pics of the last house I built this summer and how all 3 heaters are set up.
 

jaizei

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Hi,
Need some help with my newly installed 18x18 Kane heat mat w/ thermostat. I have a mini oil filled radiator heater keeping up the ambient temp at 80 degrees. My Kane mat is also set at 80 degrees. I noticed the next day that the alarm was going off on the Kane thermostat controller that read ALH. Which means “High Temperature Alarm”. The thermostat was reading at 86 degrees, though the set point is 80 degrees. I remember on the instructions after reading it, that the temp of the mat goes 37 degrees above the ambient temperature. So then I set the Kane mat’s thermostat to 43 degrees, since the ambient temp 80 degrees. After awhile, the alarm started going off again and still reading between 86 degrees. Not sure what to do at this point. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, J


Which thermostat are you using?

I tihnk it may be that youre setting the thermostat for the (ideal) ambient temperature vs the desired temperature. It says ALH because it is higher than the set temperature, 43. The temperature set on thermostat should be the temperature you want, not minus the 37* rise. Having multiple heat sources mean you'll probably have to dial it in like Len suggests.
 

Maggie3fan

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I also use the same kinda heating...a Stanfield mat on a rehostat...and a oil filled radiator heater...the ambient temp stays at 85...the pig blanket is in a sleeping box and is 90 degrees...Mary is 45 lbs now and sleeps in the box on and off the mat all night...
this is the box...I had a 100+ Sulcata who used this system as well....you can almost see the red mat in the left side of the box...and where I have the heater...

100_0782.JPG
I have 4 tortoises in there now, each with a che and basking light, so all that additional heat and basking lights add to the ambient temp.
this is the other side of the shed...4 torts in there now all separate...all the lights and che's are on timers or regulators...the temps stay the same and after they finally get all set and working correctly I 'never' have any problems. The shed electricity is on a separate line and there's an alarm that goes off to tell me the power went off. but that's only when every-body's power is off...the shed is 20'x12'...insulation floor walls and ceiling, it snows here, inside temp stays the same...
100_0789.JPG
it looks rough inside, but I had to make room for additional animals...
100_6258.JPG
give the temps some time to regulate...
 

Unitygraph

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Thank you so much everyone for the help. So my heater that I use for the ambient temperature has a built in thermostat, but i also bought a thermostat for it as well. So I can get an accurate reading in temp. So what do you recommend I make the setting on my heater for ambient temp and what temp should I set my thermostat on my Kane mat, so that the annoying buzzer alarm will stop turning on. I also have a feeling it may be the heater, since the mat is still really warm without even being plugged in. I only put the heat sources on one side, so that my tortoise could have an option to the cooler side. Thanks again everyone.
Which thermostat are you using?

I tihnk it may be that youre setting the thermostat for the (ideal) ambient temperature vs the desired temperature. It says ALH because it is higher than the set temperature, 43. The temperature set on thermostat should be the temperature you want, not minus the 37* rise. Having multiple heat sources mean you'll probably have to dial it in like Len suggests.
 

Len B

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Here's the house that I built for Galloper who I got back this past spring. It has 3 heaters, the 18x24 inch mat, a oil filled heater and a brooder heater for chickens hung on a wall. Picture 003.jpgPicture 001.jpgThe only one running now is the mat and here is where is. off the mat at the open doorPicture 002.jpgThe white object in the lower left of this pic is a temperature sending unit hanging on the wall so I can keep track of the temp just inside the door.
 

Maggie3fan

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Here's the house that I built for Galloper who I got back this past spring. It has 3 heaters, the 18x24 inch mat, a oil filled heater and a brooder heater for chickens hung on a wall. View attachment 335535View attachment 335534The only one running now is the mat and here is where is. off the mat at the open doorView attachment 335536The white object in the lower left of this pic is a temperature sending unit hanging on the wall so I can keep track of the temp just inside the door.
I like the protection your heater has...I had mine put up out of range of torts...
 

Unitygraph

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I think if worse comes to worst, I’d probably put the heat mat on the opposite side of the heater. Any thoughts?
Which thermostat are you using?

tihnk it may be that youre setting the thermostat for the (ideal) ambient temperature vs the desired temperature. It says ALH because it is higher than the set temperature, 43. The temperature set on thermostat should be the temperature you want, not minus the 37* rise. Having multiple heat sources mean you'll probably have to dial it in like Len suggests.
 

wellington

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Yes it's a oil filled radiator heater but not as close the one in the pic. I use Stanfield mats but Kane has a great reputation for quality and doubt its an equipment problem. Now the enclosure is getting hotter than wanted so reducing the temp setting slightly on the heater should fix the problem. I personally would move the mat away from the heater. I will get pics of the last house I built this summer and how all 3 heaters are set up.
I think only the mat is getting hotter then it's set for not the whole enclosure.
 
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