Can Anyone Recommend A Thermostat?

[snakemum]

Somehow I put this is the wrong category (under "genera")...so I'm posting it again......Anyway...can anyone recommend a good quality thermostat for my 3 BP's?...I'm tired of fiddling around with my rheostats :0).....I need a thermostat that can regulate 6 heating elements (2 per cage....eg. 3 aquarium type tanks---uth's and heat lamps in each)....and be used for breeding in the future (needs to have night drop feature).....I have been doing some research on the Helix's and Herpstats....which would be better and where the heck do I get one in Canada?? Or...will I have to order it from the U.S.? Thanks!!
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[jglass38]

Somehow I put this is the wrong category (under "genera")...so I'm posting it again......Anyway...can anyone recommend a good quality thermostat for my 3 BP's?...I'm tired of fiddling around with my rheostats :0).....I need a thermostat that can regulate 6 heating elements (2 per cage....eg. 3 aquarium type tanks---uth's and heat lamps in each)....and be used for breeding in the future (needs to have night drop feature).....I have been doing some research on the Helix's and Herpstats....which would be better and where the heck do I get one in Canada?? Or...will I have to order it from the U.S.? Thanks!!
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Helix are the gold standard for proportional stats. I personally use Herpstats. You can't go wrong either way. Remember that for each different type of heating element, temperature need, you will need a separate unit. Or, Herpstat makes a unit with multiple outputs so that might do it for you. They also make the ND which has a night drop function for cycling temps. Email Dion at Spyder Robotics. He is a super guy and will get ya hooked up. sales@spyderrobotics.com . Good luck!

Jamie

[mmchoppers]

I believe it would be a better idea to go the Herpstat 2 way! If all the heat pads are going to be the same heat, then you only need one T-stat to control all of them, and the same goes for the heat lamp.. Herpstats and Helix sound like they are both really good. I have a herpstat 2, so I know that they are good,once you know how to work it properly lol. I also know people that use Helix and say they are good. The cheaper way would be the herpstat 2, because it has so many functions built in! The Helix, which you would have to buy 2 of, is already more than the herpstat 2, and it requires you to buy extras for night drop. But, it has a big clear display screen so you don't have to squint at it like with the herpstat.. I would go with a Herpstat 2, just my opinion. I believe you can order them right online from Spyderrobotics.com!

[mmchoppers]

Looks like jglass beat me to it!

[snakemum]

So with the Herpstat 2, would I only need one thermostat to control the two different types of heating elements in each cage (ie. the uth's and the heat lamps)?? With the Helix brand, would I need two of the thermostats (one for the uth's and one for the heat lights)?

[jglass38]

Assuming that you have 2 identical heat lamps, and 2 identical UTHs and 2 cages that need the same temps, than the Herpstat 2 would be fine. One output for both heat lamps and one output for both UTHs. With a Helix you would need 2 units.

[snakemum]

OK....but I have 3 identical cages, with 3 identical heat lamps, 3 identical uth's and they all need to be maintained at the same temp...so what do I do in this case?

[jglass38]

You should still be fine with the herpstat 2. Only 2 different types of heating element. As long as you don't exceed the maximum wattage of each output (700w) you should be fine.

[snakemum]

Can you explain how the thermostat would be set up to control 3 cages? I'm such a newbie to this stuff....sorry .....so if I use a thermostat with 2 outlets, what gets plugged into them (which heating elements get plugged into the thermostat??)....if there are 6 heating elements, how are they monitored with only 2 outlets on the thermostat? I know I'm missing the concept here...

[jglass38]

Can you explain how the thermostat would be set up to control 3 cages? I'm such a newbie to this stuff....sorry .....so if I use a thermostat with 2 outlets, what gets plugged into them (which heating elements get plugged into the thermostat??)....if there are 6 heating elements, how are they monitored with only 2 outlets on the thermostat? I know I'm missing the concept here...

You would need to plug a power strip into each of the outputs. On one output you would plug all 3 heat lamps and on the other all 3 UTHs. Each output also has a probe which measures the temp at the location where you would want the thermostat to control. One probe would go under the heat lamp and the other probe would be taped to one of the UTHs. By the way, why are you using a heat lamp? Is the room where your snake is very cold? Hope this helps!

Jamie