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[Glider]

I haven't had one malfunction before, but I have had a small (4w) heatmat get VERY hot. Back when I first started keeping gex I thought since the mat was so small it would be fine, but I had it stuck under an exoterra switched on 24hr with about 3cm of sand on top. I saw one of my gex walk over the heated area and suddenly do the midday-at-the-beach dance (funny bit not funny if you know what I mean) so put my hand on the sand and it was hot enough I couldnt keep my hand there. Got a probe thermometer on it and the thermometer stopped reading at 70deg and climbing.

Now I have and enclosure bank with 4x 14w heatmats and 2x 4w heatmats running through a Microclimate B2 pulse thermostat and it's worked perfectly.
I also use a 4m 15w and a 4.5m 25w heatcord in my hatchling rack, which I don't use a thermostat but do watch the temps like a hawk.

I think it's really important to read what the instructions on any electrical device say, they're there for a reason and most of the time will prevent disaster. Often malfunction is really due to misuse.


PS. Thats not to say that they cant fail even under correct usage.