77 - 78 is too low for the warm side of a ball python enclosure, by about 10 degrees.  You want their hot spot around 88 - 90.  During the winter months breeders will drop that temp to 75 - 80 at night, and then raise the temps back up during the day.  This is called cycling, and it's done to stimulate breeding activity.  If the snake's not in a breeding program, there's no need to cycle, and their hot spot should stay 88 - 90 year round.

I would choose to replace the heat pad instead of increasing the bulb wattage.  Gentle belly heat is wonderful for aiding in digestion and helping with thermoregulation and metabolic functions.  If you want to go with flexwatt (awesome stuff, but you need a thermostat to control it) you should watch this video on how it works.  It takes you through the whole process.

http://www.bigappleherp.com/Flex-Watt-Heat-Tape 

+1 to KCB... that is WAY too low!

No its not good enough  you need a new UTH  Ball pythons are from africa  they need heat year round

You can order flexwatt from Reptile basics or the bean farm by the foot  or look on ebay  you can cut it   any length if its the straight kind  or every foot if it's the wiggilie kind

Too low.  Same temps apply in the winter.  Where they are now is even too low for cool side.  They need cool side 80 - 82 degrees and need 90 degree warm side.  If you don't want to get new UTH get a higher watt infra red heat light.  What watt do you have now?  What size enclosure. I use 100 watt with UTH for a 48x18x18 enlcosure(my house stays pretty cool, 72 degrees or so).  Temps as low as you have them now will likely throw your BP off feed. 

alright i think im gonna order some flew watt tape.. Do any of u know if it needs to cover the whole side of the warm side of the tank or is just a few strips across the bottom good enough??? 

oh and do u recommend using one strip of the 11inch wide or a bunch of strips of the 3 inch wide??? i think the 11 inch would be easier and cheaper

The size flexwatt tape really depends on your setup.  For my 32qt tubs a 3in strip under the back does just fine.  Under my 60qt tubs I go with an 11in strip.  Remember you are not looking to heat the whole enclosure, but provide temp zones so the ball can self regulate his or her body temp.  And also, when using any type of uth, always control it with a thermostat. 

he is in a 40 gal right now and i have a 60 gal that im going to be setting up for a common red tailed boa.

i was looking on youtube and people were regulating the temps with light dimmers.  It looked smart and worked well if u have a temp probe like i do and just make sure the temp is right. any objections to that plan??

I have no problems with using dimmers. But, if the room where you keep your snakes is not kept at a constant temp, the dimmer will not adjust the temps to coinside with room temps.  All a dimmer will do is limit the amout of power to the strip, if will not adjust for changes in room temps.  If you buy your equipment from Reptile Basics, they started carring a new brand of thermostats this year.  Vivarium Electronics, they come in three models.  The cheapest at $85.  I have 2 of these, but the upgraded models.  They work great, and keep all my temps perfect.  Hope this helps.

+1 to everyone, couldn't have said it better myself, you guys just beat me to it, lol

If you don't want to have to deal with wiring the flexwatt yourself, you could always go with an Ultratherm heat mat.  Just as good, with a fraction of the hassle.  

I love my under the tank heater, it is so easy. Leo seems to love it too. I don't have experience with the tape but it seems like a pain.

Flexwatt is relatively easy to use, but needs to be wired properly and ALWAYS used with a thermostat. I wouldn't even reccomend a rheostat. Flexwatt is NOT ment for snakes. It just works well. We can make it into a great heat source for what we need. But it can be dangerous and MUST be used properly. Be sure to get as much info on how to use (safely) flexwatt before you get some.

Under tank heaters are much simpler. 

as long as it dont have frost on its toes your fine

haha thanks guys

i ended up getting a new uth and putting a dimmer on the extension cord..works great