BAH-1000SC vs Reptitemp 500r

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Originally Posted by tbowman

I think you could get your temps right on the dimmer, and then set your thermostat to that temp also, that way if either one failed, your temps wouldn't be affected.

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This method won't account for any fluctuation. You need to have the failsafe(light dimmer) set higher than the tstat, up around 98 degrees or so. Uncomfortable yes, but not life threatening.

If they were both set to the same temp and it got colder in the room, the tstat would fail to function(shut off) because it would never be able to reach the proper temp due to a reduction in power on the UTH from the light dimmer.

This way just allows you to realize the tstat failed without allowing the UTH to get up to full lethal heat.

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Originally Posted by DustinB

Reptile basics has them. They aren't a whole lot cheaper considering time and having to buy a powerstrip. If you can't afford the $80 for the t-stat then just buy the reptitemp one, go to lowes/home depot/walmart and buy a $10 light dimmer cord.

Plug the dimmer into the output of the tstat, set the tstat temp all the way up and slowly adjust the dimmer until the temps in the tank are around 95-98 degrees on the hot side. Wait 20-30min between adjustments. When you get a constant temp bring the tstat temp down to where you want it. If the tstat ever fails the light dimmer won't let the temps rise to a really harmful temp.

That aside, I would suggest a herpstat as well because of the ease of use and quality. I even have that on a light dimmer as well, anything can fail no matter how good it is.

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Thanks for throwing that out there. I got a rheostat(dimmer) before I got my thermostat and the heat tape was still a bit too hot with the rheostat on low. So I got a cheap thermostat (BAH). Didn't know I could use the dimmer to backup the thermostat, I feel a lot better with that now in place.

I've gone over a year with my Reptitemp 500 without failure. It doesn't have a display to know your temps, and there's about a 4-5 degree F temperature swing with it. My single snake is doing fine with it. I have one UTH plugged directly into the thermostat and another plugged into a dimmer, plugged into the thermostat for my cool side. I have no major complaints other than the big temp swings. That said, I have two Ranco's coming to me because when it comes down to it I feel more confident in the more expensive units. Also, it doesn't hurt that the Ranco is quite popular with the experienced herpers on BPnet. For $30 the Reptitemp does the job. For a little over twice that, you get a better unit (e.g., display, smaller temp swing) and peace of mind. JMHO.

as branson said, a reptitemp 500R DOES seem to have a temperature fluctuation of about 5-8 degrees, which is pretty huge. especially if you live in a place where the ambient temperature fluctuates a lot between day and night. i've used reptitemp 500R's, and they do work fine. however, for my own peace of mind, i would MUCH rather use a herpstat or helix. but like you said, if you only have 1 snake, dishing out the $130 or whatever for a herpstat may well cost you twice what you paid for your snake (depending what kind of snake it is) so if the reptitemp works for you, great.

I would go with what you can afford just spend the $10 on a dimmer, it may save your snake's life!

I found a used ranco shipped for 60 yesterday...I think I'll go with that.