Choosing a Thermostat - New Ball Owner

Wow, thanks for all your help, guys! :) I've got another question: a couple of people have mentioned getting my thermostat prewired. I am just wondering what this means. Is it not just a simple matter of plugging my heat cable into the thermostat? I've never really seen a thermostat for anything other than just heating a house. :D

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Originally Posted by Exo-ky

Wow, thanks for all your help, guys! :) I've got another question: a couple of people have mentioned getting my thermostat prewired. I am just wondering what this means. Is it not just a simple matter of plugging my heat cable into the thermostat? I've never really seen a thermostat for anything other than just heating a house. :D

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Pre wired means it has the plug for the wall outlet and the power strip to plg your heat mat into already wired to the thermostat. Non wired means you are just getting the thermostat and the probe and thats it. You then have to wire an extension cord to your themostat and wire the power strip to the thermostat when you get it. Hope that helps...

Edit - You have to buy the extension cord and power strip your self if you do not get it pre wired also. The thermostat will not come with it.

It's very easy to wire up a Ranco or Johnson thermostat and there are plenty of instructions online with pictures on how to do so. You can save yourself about $20 if you have a little wiring know-how and don't want to pay for someone else to do it. I always bought pre-wired in the past, but i realized how easy it is and wired up my last one. Took me 5 minutes and works great!

I use Herpstat and love it! Very accurate and the temps stay where you want them to be. My Zilla1000 sucks, it's all over the place, hate it!

i'm controlling heat tape in two enclosures with one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

i found it after some people on this forum posted links/info on it. its been working great for several months now! :)

Herpstat nd for ball pythons

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Originally Posted by therieldeal

i'm controlling heat tape in two enclosures with one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

i found it after some people on this forum posted links/info on it. its been working great for several months now! :)

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Hydrofarm!! Yep, I recommended it several times already. I think it's the best choice if you are only keeping one snake. I bought it after just... becoming completely confused about the "pre-wiring" or whatnot you have to worry about for some of the other thermostats... I couldn't be bothered thinking too hard about it. For the Hydrofarm one, you just put the Hydrofarm's plug onto your heat source, plug your UTH (or whatever heat source) into it, plug the Hydofarm into the wall, set a temperature, and you're good! That is all. I know nothing about this wiring business or whatever you have to do.

I just ordered a Ranco from Reptile Basics. I have heard nothing but good things about this. I am quite excited for it get here. I believe in purchasing a quality thermostat if you can afford it. Now I can feel secure about regulating my heat sources. I was using a very cheap thermostat and I constantly had to adjust it according to the temperatures in my room where I have my snake. I am so glad that I can have peace of mind now from purchasing a quality thermostat.

I use both Ranco and Helix for a few years now. No problems with either.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Exo-ky

Wow, thanks for all your help, guys! :) I've got another question: a couple of people have mentioned getting my thermostat prewired. I am just wondering what this means. Is it not just a simple matter of plugging my heat cable into the thermostat? I've never really seen a thermostat for anything other than just heating a house. :D

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The Johnson and Ranco are designed for commercial heating, a/c, and refridgeration applications, so they come from the manufacturer un-wired which allows them to be custom wired into whatever application they will be used. Here is a link to Reptile Basics website for the un-wired model.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/ranco-etc-111000.html

As was said above, pre-wired means they wire in the power strip and cord for you.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/ranco-e...pre-wired.html

I was using a Johnson and Ranco for my tubs, but I decided I wanted to spend my tax refund on some herp candy, so I got a Herpstat Pro. I removed the power strip from my Ranco and re-wired it with a heavy duty extension cord. Now I use it to run the space heater in my snake room. I keep the Johnson as a back up should any of the others fail or in case I accidentally come home with another snake and need to put together a quick set-up...