Ever used this thermostat?

I want a ranco but alot of people say you've got to buy 2 just in case one of them messes up. That's just too much $ for me and if it is reliable why would I need another one just in case it has a problem? Do I really need 2 Rancos?

Well, if one fails...what are you gonna do? If you don't have a backup 'plan', a backup tstat is another option.......I would say that the zoo-med 500R would, at most, be a decent backup thermostat. I've used that one before, it controlled temps OK, but doesn't even come close to what a proportional stat can do.

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Originally Posted by Rusty

I want a ranco but alot of people say you've got to buy 2 just in case one of them messes up. That's just too much $ for me and if it is reliable why would I need another one just in case it has a problem? Do I really need 2 Rancos?

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You should always have a backup thermostat just incase something were to happen....it does not matter if you have a ranco or helix. I have a $25 dial thermostat stashed away incase something goes wrong with any of mine....but if one of mine were to fail, i would immediately order a ranco or herpstat.

I have used a ranco for around a year on my ball python setup. It works just fine and I am very pleased with the purchase.

Were you going with the cheaper thermostat so you could buy two? Or were you just avoiding the Ranco because you thought you needed two?

... I was avoiding the ranco because I thought I needed 2. Isn't there a t-stat that you only need 1 of? If I used just one ranco by itself would it be alllright? It seems like a good t-stat but I don't understand, if it is so good why do I need a backup?

I guess because any thermostat can fail suddenly, and you'd need something to plug in quickly to control your temps while you get a replacement.

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Originally Posted by Rusty

... I was avoiding the ranco because I thought I needed 2. Isn't there a t-stat that you only need 1 of? If I used just one ranco by itself would it be alllright? It seems like a good t-stat but I don't understand, if it is so good why do I need a backup?

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Anything mechanical has the potential to fail. A cheaply made instrument has a greater risk of failing than a more expensive one. (Not because of the price, but because of the materials used and the care given to design and construction.)

The point of having two T-stats (of ANY brand) is to plug them both in to the same heating system. Set your main t-stat for whatever temps you want...then set your back-up to about 2 degrees higher. The back-up will never switch on or off because its temps won't be triggered. BUT...if the main t-stat ever goes bad and gets stuck "open"...the heat will start to rise and the back-up unit will kick in and turn the heat off.

Without a back-up, IF a t-stat gets stuck open, there is no control over your heating unit and it can heat up to whatever it's max is....which can be in the 120 degree range with some heating items.

If you're heating whole racks of snakes and/or snakes worth thousands of dollars, it would be crazy NOT to have that kind of back-up. But the risk of a t-stat failing is low, especially with a good quality one...so the price of the back-up does not necessarily outweigh the risk if you're heating one tank with a pet snake in it.

How does one t-stat control 2 pieces of flexwatt in 2 different tubs? Does the flexwatt have to be in one piece and just stretched out from tub to tub or can they be completed separate and still be controlled by 1 t-stat.

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Originally Posted by Rusty

How does one t-stat control 2 pieces of flexwatt in 2 different tubs? Does the flexwatt have to be in one piece and just stretched out from tub to tub or can they be completed separate and still be controlled by 1 t-stat.

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The right T-stat will have multiple plug slots to plug in different heat sources. You have to be SURE that you want all your heat sources to reach the same temperature and you have to have them all set up identically to the one that has the t-stat probe attached to it. And you have to make sure that the total wattage of your heating units does not exceed the max allowed for your particular t-stat.

those stats are analog. it is either a bi-metal coil or a magnet/ metal strip activated. that technology is at least 3-5 deg. off and has been around longer than 80 years. digital stats are solid state circuitry an only have a one deg differential, sometimes two deg. at worst.

one stat can control identical setups, the cage/tub/rack must be the same, as well as the heat tape and placement. i find it easier to wire to seperate plugs and then plug them all into one power strip. the stat controls the power strip.

vaughn

Can I connect a multiple outlet system to the tstat and then just connect lets say 6 UTHs to the slots controlled by the t-stat?

UTHs~~~multiple slots<TSTAT

...I think that's what vaughn is saying.