Temporary dimmer for rack

So BEFORE YOU GUYS CRITICIZE ME, my question is do you think I can use a dimmer switch for my snake rack for heat tape for a week as a temporary thing because I order a thermostat but instead of coming in on Saturday, its delayed till Wednesday next week.

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Originally Posted by Maddumpling

So BEFORE YOU GUYS CRITICIZE ME, my question is do you think I can use a dimmer switch for my snake rack for heat tape for a week as a temporary thing because I order a thermostat but instead of coming in on Saturday, its delayed till Wednesday next week.

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Well, what is your other option? I ordered a hydrofarm from amazon recently and it came in 3 days, maybe you could do that to get you through a few days. If you have no other way of controlling heat, I guess the dimmer is your only option. just make sure you check your temps every chance you get.

Thats the weird thing, I got a hydrofarm thermostat because I dont have a large collection but I ordered that thing on amazon at 12 am on monday and it still hasnt shipped. So now its saying I gotta wait till 10 wednesday to 15 monday just to get it.

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Originally Posted by Maddumpling

Thats the weird thing, I got a hydrofarm thermostat because I dont have a large collection but I ordered that thing on amazon at 12 am on monday and it still hasnt shipped. So now its saying I gotta wait till 10 wednesday to 15 monday just to get it.

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When I ordered mine I used super saver free shipping. It said estimated delivery time was 10-15 days out. As soon as it shipped and tracking updated it was only 2 days out. Granted it shipped from 2 states over from me, you may be alright. Make sure you get a good thermometer to go with it. I've read posts where they are know to be 3degrees off of what they say. I got lucky, my hydrofarm is dead on!!! I have a accurite probe and a watlow series 93 P.I.D's thermocoupler taped with it and I'm reading the same.

The specs are for 2ºC +/- this is the tolerable range the manufacturers say is still acceptable. I actually have 7 and not one is accurate to a Platinum RTD (traced). They vary greatly unit to unit.

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OP yes a rheostat is fine as long as the room temp is stable. If the ambient temp does not change the current needed to produce accurate hot spots won't either.