thermostat choices?

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

BbyBoa zoo med 500r. It hit a max inside the tub for 10 min of 160 then clicked off and it dropped to 85º then clicked back on again. On and off just like it was designed to the problem is the tape is too high a wattage, and at 100% power is simply too hot. It takes under 8 seconds to get to over 100ºF in the set up I was using.

Never used a ranco but at 79.99 hardly a good deal when the Herpstat is 109 and is on sale 10$ off...

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Shipped and totally set up my ranco was maybe 55$ max. and runs perfectly and keeps my temps within 1 degree of where I want them. so yes I would definitly get the hepstat over the ranco if you have the means, but a ranco will run your system just fine.

If you have the money get a Herpstat or Helix. For me i have 4 Ranco's and about to buy a 5th one. They are cheap, work great and last a long time. They are still a Thermostat, a Rheostat is a device that limits the amount of power to the device. Thermostats regulate the temperature, so Rancos and Johnsons are Thermostats.

For you a Ranco on eBay for $46.99 plus shipping and a short trip to Wal-Mart or Harbor Freight and your ready to go.

I have used a ranco actually I just had one replaced on my hot water heater. I am sure they work fine the on off type that does not have a high low tolerance get dangerously hot. A ranco set with a 1 degree throw is likely very efficient. But it is adapted from another use and isn't really designed to do the job at hand. Personally I like using things designed to do what they were intended to, for the sake of 30 bucks maybe 40, (you will need to buy wire and outlets for an unwired ranco) I'd rather have something ready to go out of the box that is right for what it was intended to do.

On a second note does anybody have specs on the ranco of choice for accuracy of the probe? Just curious ranco makes so many different units I don't know which one is which.