Acurite Therm from Walmart?

[riceko]

Hello everyone,
I have invested in an indoor/outdoor probe thermometer from Wal-mart after many suggestions. I have used it for a couple days and I've come to the conclusion that its not very... accurate! Lol.
I would have my lamp at the same height and position for an entire day and the thermometer would say 92 one hour and then swing up and say 112 the next.
What the heck!
Is my bulb trash (a normal 100w household bulb) or is the thermometer? (I have a T-Rex 100w on the way).

 

[VEGASLIZARD]

Hm, good question. Does the spot where you viv sits get any natural light from a window? That could explain a swing in temps.

 

[riceko]

No... its a ways away from the window... and when light does beam in, its in the opposite side of the room.
Like just now, I went in to play with her, the temp was 100... when i left it said 116! In which case, I raised the lamp and its probably going to get colder later :\

 

[VEGASLIZARD]

Well in that case I would think it was the thermometer. I use the MVB bulb and never get more than a couple degree temp change and I don't use a supper expensive thermometer. I just use the cheap zoomed digital probe ones you get at the pet store for 8 bucks and then I have a hand held temp gun that I use to periodically check to double check temps.

 

[riceko]

Hmm I think if my new MVB bulb doesn't remedy the situation, I'm getting a replacement.
Thanks a bunch!

 

[vickson420]

I use the accurites and have never had a problem wit them at all.I have these and infared temp guns which always fall within a degree of each ther so maybe you got a defective one OR your bulb really is fluctuating.Have you tired changing it out to an ordinary household bulb to test and see if that is the problem?Ordinary bulbs are fine for heating so you could use it temporarily if it gets the desired temps.I do have one question when the temp fluctuates is it back and forth or does it start at 92 then at some point jump to 112?

 

[riceko]

I am planning on switching it to a T-Rex MVB tomorrow morning... I have a household bulb in there right now
No it doesn't fluctuate quickly... it slowly rises/falls and settles as a temperature for a while before rising/falling again.

 

[VEGASLIZARD]

Well, once you get the new bulb in tomorrow if that doesn't solve the problem you'll know it's a dud thermometer.