Reddit reviews AcuRite 00782A2 Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer, Temperature,White
We found 2 Reddit comments about AcuRite 00782A2 Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer, Temperature,White. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Indoor or outdoor temperature wireless temperature readings in FahrenheitEasy-to-read LCD displaySmall outdoor sensor is easy to placeTabletop or wall-mountable designStrong signal penetration (enhanced 433 MHz)
First, don't use any adhesive thermometer as they can peel off the side of the tank and stick to your snake, causing serious injury and death. Additionally, digital gauges are more accurate than analog dials.
I recommend dual-zone thermometers so you can measure both hot and cold sides at once with the same device. (Acurite used to have a non-wireless model that also measured humidity, but that appears to be discontinued). Alternatively you can get a digital infrared temp gun and spot-measure surface temps.
A thermostat is essential for regulating any heat source, especially heat pads.
Running power from your house is probably going to be your cheapest option. If you dont heat it at night your tortoise could get sick and cost you several hundred dollars in vet cost. So you need to decide on where you want to spend your money. Regardless your going to have cost. If you absolutely cant use the houses power then you need to go solar. A 200 watt kit would probably be the minimum necessary to charge the batteries daily. This is the kit I use. You can set the controller so that power kicks on only when its dark. A solar setup is going to at minimum probably cost you $500 by the time you buy an inverter and batteries. DONT USE CAR BATTERIES. Either solar batteries or at least golf cart batteries.
I have a redfoot but she is still small enough for indoors.
You want a heated night box for it sleep in. This is what I built for my sulcatas. Mine is a 4x8 foot insulated box they stay in. They can come and go as they please. You could build a mini one for probably less than $100.
4x4 Night box - although these are my plans from sketchup its not my original idea.
http://imgur.com/a/TZQ4P
4x8
https://imgur.com/a/3nlrM#0
Heat mats are low wattage and would do the job for keeping the tort warm thru the night without completely discharging your batteries. Install it under a second layer of thin plywood so the wood floor is warmed. You dont want the tort to lay directly on it as it might burn the tortoise if where to malfunction. I use these with my sulcatas in their night box.
Plug the Heat mat into a dimmer switch so you can control the voltage and temp of the mat. I usually run mine at half power.
Use something like this to remotely monitor the overall ambient temperature in your box.
Overall it will be much cheaper to run an extension cord or to pay an electrician vs solar setup to run power to the enclosure.