Vivarium Electronics VE-100 vs Ranco ETC-111000 Pre Wired vs Johnson Controls Thermos

Herpstats are definitely awesome, my temps have been as stable as they'll ever be since I got my Herpstat ND. I definitely recommend them if you're willing to spend a few extra bucks.

I have a new herpstat on my first rack I built. I have had zero problems with it and it maintains my temps VERY well. Ill be using another one when I set up my incubator for steady temps.

On my quarantine rack ill probably try a johnson.

Love my ve-300 and ve-200!

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Originally Posted by mdfreak2

ok im running 2 Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats the reason im running 2 is the first 1 i bought didnt stay programed so they sent me another to replace that one and a couple days later i recieved another one. they work fine its the turn on heat up to the set temp then turn off and drop back down below the temp i set it for then turn back on. i wasnt sure if they all were like that or if they would stay at the programmed temp at all times thank you.

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All the on off units work like this the johnson and ranco (VE too I think) have a 1º over and under unlike the hydrofarms 3º. Proportional will deliver little variation if set up for the conditions you have.

I have grown to really like the VE line of thermostats. I have Helix, Herpstats and VE's in my reptile room. I like that you do not have mount VE's to anything, they stand on their own and are stackable. Currently, I use VE200's, Herpstats and Helix's as proportional termostats on all of our ball python racks, but every single one of them is backed up for safety with a VE 100 (on/off).

I've read that when a proportional thermostat fails, it fails open allowing full current. When an on/off thermostat fails, it fails closed or in the off position. So by using one of each on each rack, I feel I've minimized risks.

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Originally Posted by Don

I have grown to really like the VE line of thermostats. I have Helix, Herpstats and VE's in my reptile room. I like that you do not have mount VE's to anything, they stand on their own and are stackable. Currently, I use VE200's, Herpstats and Helix's as proportional termostats on all of our ball python racks, but every single one of them is backed up for safety with a VE 100 (on/off).

I've read that when a proportional thermostat fails, it fails open allowing full current. When an on/off thermostat fails, it fails closed or in the off position. So by using one of each on each rack, I feel I've minimized risks.

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X2.

I definitely worry less with this method.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by don

i have grown to really like the ve line of thermostats. I have helix, herpstats and ve's in my reptile room. I like that you do not have mount ve's to anything, they stand on their own and are stackable. Currently, i use ve200's, herpstats and helix's as proportional termostats on all of our ball python racks, but every single one of them is backed up for safety with a ve 100 (on/off).

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x3

x4, love the Vivarium Electronics units!

The newer Herpstat models are designed so that if they fail a mechanical relay cuts power so that isn't an issue.

There is always a chance of failure with any unit I have had a herpstat pro fail the relay system Dion uses is very good but doesn't cover Triac or controller chip failure. Mine was a main chip failure very rare but... A failsafe is always a good idea and IMO should be a part of any and every system probes can always be pulled off and that is far more common than any unit failure. Proportional units can fail on or off same for on off units. It depends on the type and location of failure. For example a herpstat fails at the probe socket (like it got pulled) the unit will shut down.