Ball Python heating pad

Question

Cage   I have two ball pythons right now, one a year and one 4 years old. I have them in a homemade cage that has Plexiglass sides and glass tops. It is actually a coffee table that I converted into a cage, it looks really cool. I bought a new heating pad that is somewhere around 2"x12". This is the only way I can heat it since I don't have a way to put a light on them. The temp is usually around 85-90 on hot side with good humidity. My question is this: How hot should the pad be, or how hot is too hot? I read somewhere that if the pad can not burn your hand than it is not too hot, but then i read somewhere that it should never be above 90. I do have a thermostat on it and it has been set at 104. One of my concerns is that my bigger BP didn't shed fully and her stomach has 3 scales that are filled with fluid. It is not unusual for her to not shed in one piece. that would  actually be rare, but i have never seen these scales, or any, full of fluid. She just ate tonight with out a problem if that helps.

Answer
You should be able to leave your hand directly on the hottest part of the pad for a full minute and not suffer a burn.  Check every in of the pad because sometimes they develope hot spots.  Also, if you need to replace it, look into heat tape.  I just coverted my burms over to that and am quite happy with it.