Need some help

i bought a human heating pad and was happy at first as it had stabilized at 94 but it started to fluctuate and i then realized i wasn't gonna be able to cut corners on this one.Can anyone recommend a good thermostat that's under 40$? What would be best thing to do until i get another one?I have towels over the pad should i put down another?Thanks everyone

Sorry, but a T-Stat for under $40 would be cutting corners. Pay the money for a good UTH and T-Stat, and it will pay you back 10 fold in ease of use and peace of mind.

The only way to do a cheap thermostat is to wire a dimmer switch. It's not the best way.
Best is to buy a reliable thermostat. You'll probably keep it a long time.

Did you happen to buy the human heat pad that switches itself off? Most do and aren't meant for continuous usage. You can control any heating device with a rheostat basically made out of a simple lamp dimmer device. Those cost about $10.00. Here's a link to explain how. Please note the advice though that this is not a replacement for a decent tstat but simply a stop gap measure and is better than nothing controlling a heat source. Rheostats need to be checked more than once daily and will temps will still fluctuate depending on the conditions of the room your enclosure is in and how efficiently that enclosure retains both heat and humidity.


http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...=855662#855662

its not the best thermostat but if your in a pinch and need one till you get a better one the reptitemp 500 r will work. its a standard on and off and will run you 35 http://reptiledepot.com/thermo.html

but you can get a ranco which is alot better for 59 so keep that in mind when you go out and buy.

is the Johnson A 419 or the Ranco ETC-111000 good choices? both of these are on reptilebasics.com.If they are can anyone tell me which one would be the better choice?

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Originally Posted by ILOVEBALLS

is the Johnson A 419 or the Ranco ETC-111000 good choices? both of these are on reptilebasics.com.If they are can anyone tell me which one would be the better choice?

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I have a johnson controls and it works great! I think more people have the Ranco though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ILOVEBALLS

is the Johnson A 419 or the Ranco ETC-111000 good choices? both of these are on reptilebasics.com.If they are can anyone tell me which one would be the better choice?

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i have a herpstat 2, a helix, a ranco and a reptitemp 500 and i like them in that order

Between Johnson and Ranco, I prefer the Johnson. It's smaller, has a quieter click, and has an indicator light to show when it's on and off. :)

Other than that, they are both equally good stats.

Thanks you for the answers i would still like some more opinions and could someone tell me how much work it is for unwired. is prewired worth the extra money?is there any soldering involved in the unwired one?