Hydrofarm Jump Start Digital Temperature Controller for Heat Mats | 68-108°F

Jump Start Digital Temperature Controller for Seedling Heat Mats

This is a plug-in digital thermostat that holds a seedling heat mat at the temperature you choose. It sits between the wall and the mat, reading a water-resistant stainless steel probe on a 6 ft cord. Set a target anywhere from 68 to 108°F and it cycles the mat on and off to hold that point. The display reads in Fahrenheit or Celsius, switchable with the up and down buttons. LED indicator lights show when the mat is drawing power. It plugs into a standard 120V outlet and handles up to 8.3 A, or 1,000W, which covers several seedling mats on one controller. The plug is a three-prong grounded type, and the unit carries ETL registration. Hydrofarm backs it with a one-year warranty. Under the Jump Start name it belongs to the same seed-starting family as the brand's heat mats, trays and domes. The digital readout replaces the guesswork of a dial setting.

Setting Up a Heat Mat Thermostat for Seeds and Cuttings

Most seeds sprout fastest with warm roots and cooler air, and that is the job a heat mat thermostat does. Lay the mat under the tray, then push the probe into the media of a middle cell rather than letting it touch the mat. A probe resting on the mat reads the heating surface, not the root zone, and the plugs end up cooler than you think. Peppers, tomatoes and other warm-season seeds usually want the high 70s to mid 80s. Cuttings under a dome tend to root well a few degrees cooler, so drop the setpoint once they go in. Once roots show, wean trays off the heat to harden seedlings before transplant. With several mats on a rack, one controller can run them all as long as the combined draw stays within its rating. Keep the controller itself out of the drip line from domes and watering cans. It reads one probe, so every mat on it follows that single cell.

Key Features

• Digital Setpoint: Choose an exact temperature between 68 and 108°F instead of guessing on a dial.
• Water-Resistant Probe: A stainless steel probe on a 6 ft cord reads root-zone temperature in moist media.
• 1,000W Capacity: Handles up to 8.3 amps, enough to run several seedling mats from one controller.
• °F or °C Display: Switch units with the arrow buttons to match your notes or seed packet.
• LED Status Lights: Indicator lights show at a glance when the mat is heating.
• ETL Registered: Grounded three-prong plug and ETL registration for safe indoor use.

Technical Specifications