hi all
ive never set one of these up before and thought it would be straight forward.
I was planning to use it warm up a bunch of cuttings but they are all in different types of containers. I read the thermostat instructions and it said to insert the probe into the soil of the rooting tray and around 1.5inches into the rooting area. But with so many different types of containers should i just leave probe out out in the heat box where all the cuttings will be in? or would it not register the heat properly and get too hot?
the link below is what i purchased:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VIVOSUN-Seedling-Heat-Mat-Digital-Thermostat-Combo-Seed-Starter-Propagation-/191781738396?var=&hash=item72464cb2b6

below is a pic of my dodgy DIY setup so you know what im working with haha
i do have a foam lid that goes on top and a clear box on on one side which ill cover with towels at night to retain the heat more.
thanks! 

 
 

I just kinda dangle the probe inside the box near the bottom, in the middle and set it for 75 deg with the lid on, it should retain enough heat to warm the root zone.  I haven't found it to be critical that the temp probe is actually IN the soil, you just want it warm and humid in that box until you get roots going, then slowly remove the lid and introduce a light source.  

thanks for the help tonight MyDogMike
ive just done that and ill see how it goes

Make sure you don't leave the probe hanging where it will read low and not respond to the mat. That can cause the heat mat to stay on full time. You'll end up with cooked cuttings.

Yep I've made sure it's close to the mat. I've set it to 72f which is on the lower side just in case. If it cooks the box that's pretty much everything I've got going lol
So I'm a bit paranoid. But I can hear it click on and off so I'm sure it's working

Why not set it under one of the containers? Between the heat mat and container. That will give a quick response. I like a short cycle time. Mine is usually set at about 76.

I usually lodge my probe one way or another between containers and about 1-2 inches above the mat.

I put mine halfway into the soil.  It doesn't matter exactly where you put it but if you put it under a container the soil temp will be slightly lower than the probe temp so I'd set it on the higher end of the range - perhaps 79 - 82.  I want my cuttings to be between 75 and 82.  Others feel differently.

hi all
thanks for the advice

ill probably monitor it and slowly put the temp up to 75 or 76 over the next few days
just a bit cautious since i have all my figs in one basket atm :)

thanks for all the advice guys. I have moved it up to 75f now. After a month and a half of the cuttings sitting in a unheated box and doing nothing im now seeing some great results after only 2 weeks! prior to this i couldnt see any roots in the cups and none of the cuttings had leaves. Now i have leaves. The buds are looking greener and cups have alot of roots. I have a few cups where the roots are trying to grow out of the top as well.
 

Looks great