darn temps and thermostat

First you told me wrong, now you were also right .... I'm so confused. :picknose:

Yes I remember, what am sayingis that there is more hard ware to malfunction. Instead of one probe you have 4. Then we compare prices even when comparing the herpstat to the GCS the cost is way different more than double. Something tel sme that the parts might not be top notch, but I dont knwo that for sure it is pure speculation. I use 1 thermostat per 5 cages in a stack. Then I have one thermo running a single peice of flexwatt. I use 1 thermostat matched with up to 5 cages with the same heating elements. And Adam we were both right is what im saying, you were tight on the model 1007 1,500 watts proportional and I was right on model 1003 1,500 watts of on/off power. There are 2 models, one is not even listed on the main price guide. Where did u buy the 1007 anyway? All in all I would love to be able to run one thermo per cage but it would be really cluttered and cost prohibitive. It really depends on the application and prefrence of the user. Hope this helps..
-Matt

Each of my freedom breeder units runs either a Helix DBS-1000 or Helix Basic system. I put the probe directly on the heat tape in the middle of the rack and set the temp I want. For adults, one thermo controls 30 tubs, for sub-adults it's 1 to 36, and for juvies it's 1 to 80. Some of my basic systems are 10 years old and have been running without one failure ever. In contrast the first Ranco that I tried crapped out on me in 6 months. I have a lot of expensive snakes in my collection and I only trust Helix.

And matt .... both right?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Same set up with a Helix 1500 watt system in the next room over and the heaters are at 83.8 and 83.6 degrees (+/- a couple tenths).

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by justcage

Oh and one more thing, I am looking at the Helix dealer manual right now and the 1500 watt module is a on/off model!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I mean did you really think that I didn't know how my own equipment operates? You got confused and that's cool, I won't hold it against you. :lol:

-adam

hey guys, interesting topic. hey adam. my take on all this. all these stats are good, some suited to some purposes better. the helix is more precise than the rancos and the johnsons. i use the rancos and johnsons for my cages. only 2 cages to a stat. they work fine. the proportionals are better for multiple cages and large racks they are just more precise. my herp room is stable controlled by a digital stat and humidifier so my rancos and johnsons work fine. if your setup is in a room that is drafty on not real stable the proportional stat are better. if the herpstat is made by spyder robotics that is also a nice stat. i haven't tried one yet but talked to the maker in detail about the sensor and how well it regulates it is designed well with incubator mode adjustments. they are all good stats, they will all work fine some suited to some purposes better. nothing bad to say about helix.


thanks
vaughn

I'm not using racks or anything, and the temperature in my room often fluctuates by up to 10 degrees. I'm using a glass tank for my corn (currently controlled by a Zoo Med ReptiTemp 500R, but I don't trust it), and will be using a tank at first for my BP, but will upgrade to a plastic cage like AP or Vision. I will most likely get a few more snakes in the near future and they will also be housed in plastic cages, so what do you guys recommend I get for temp control? There seem to be many options, but I want to get whatever is the most reliable and yields fairly consistent temps.

Thanks

Hey Vaughn,

Unfortunately, I've seen different results with all of the non-helix stats I've tested. Maybe I'm just unlucky.

All I know is that the proof for me is in my collection. I've been using Helix controls for a long long time and I'm pretty proud of the collection I've built and my breeding success each year. Maybe I could have done the same with another brand, and maybe not, couldn't say. But I do know that the first non-Helix I ever got (Joel DuBay talked me into it) crapped out on me inside of six months and does not hold stable temps on oil filled heaters like I need it to.

The good news is that I'm just sharing my experiences and people can choose to ignore me if they want ... Now maybe if Helix wants to start paying me to jump up and down for them, we could work something out! ... LOL

On a side note, a large portion of the high end designer ball python morphs ($10,000 - $100,000) are being kept on Helix controls. Not all of them, but a lot of them .... I have to ask myself why all of those breeders are willing to pay more and trust the safety of animals that cost more than my car to Helix controls over something else .... makes ya wonder?

In the end a smart consumer will ignore anything they read on an internet forum and do the research themselves so I ain't sweatin it! LOL

How are those girls doin for ya Vaughn?

-adam

Quote:

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Originally Posted by guitrage

I'm not using racks or anything, and the temperature in my room often fluctuates by up to 10 degrees. I'm using a glass tank for my corn (currently controlled by a Zoo Med ReptiTemp 500R, but I don't trust it), and will be using a tank at first for my BP, but will upgrade to a plastic cage like AP or Vision. I will most likely get a few more snakes in the near future and they will also be housed in plastic cages, so what do you guys recommend I get for temp control? There seem to be many options, but I want to get whatever is the most reliable and yields fairly consistent temps.

Thanks

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If it were me, I would get a helix DBS-1000 of course ... I get them used for about $70.00 .... I am net selling them, just giving you a suggestion.

Matt will tell ya different ... LOL .... :lol:

-adam

Where do you get a used Helix for $70? And what are some other sources for researching the quality of various thermostats other than the internet?

if our room flucuates get a helix or another proportional thermostat. get it wired to an outlet/surge protector ( 6 outlets). that way you can regulate multiple cages. just remember that the cage setups have to be identitical.


vaughn

hey adam the girls are fine. helix are good i have nothing negative to say about them. my digital rancos and johnsons are setup to regulate only 2 cages each. i think that my room 10x10 being regulated and real stable has alot to do with it. i talked to the syder robotics guy and that stat is worth a try. i would't test it without a backup though it is fairly new. andalways the proportionals will be more and accurate and keep temps mor stable they are a different technology than other type stats.


vaughn