Habitat - Indoor :: Basking timers

[lotsofpets]

I have the lights for Monet set on timers. What is funny is that I sometimes notice that Monet is sitting on the bottom of the ramp staring into his out of container basking area at where the lights normally are positioned before the lights actually come on in the morning. Then he stares at me like "Why don't you turn on my lights?" The plug in for the lights/timer is underneath my bed frame, so it is really hard to get to it for adjustment. I wish there was a way he could turn the lights on himself when he needed/wanted to bask! You guys have any suggestions?

[DavidY]

Ok, my son and I just came up with a really cool idea...

You get a plastic or other rigid plate and attach it to the basking platform with springs in each of the four corners. You then get a small contact switch from Radio Shack and cement it between the plate and the basking platform. Then run wires from the switch to a relay switch that turns on and off the basking light. That way, when the turtle steps onto the basking platform, the light comes on! When the turtle leaves the platform, the light turns off. The wires running from the switch to the relay use 12v DC current which is safe around water (just keep the switch dry to prevent false contact).

So, whaddya think?

[iac637]

That is a very cool Idea I might just have to steal it.

[DavidY]

Ah, we were just having fun toying with the idea. Too many problems though. I think you need to have the lights on in order to entice the turtle to come up and bask. Also the issue with the springs, switch, and wires coming in contact with water and corroding, etc.

I suppose once the turtle learns that the lights will come once he gets up on the platform, he would get used to it and do it on his own. It may be a fun expirement. Also, putting the whole switch mechanism in a waterproof plastic or vinyl cover and then attaching it to the ramp might work better for turning the light on. That way when the turtle just sets foot on the ramp while they are thinking about whether or not they want to bask, the light comes on, enticing them all the way up. hmm...