Thermostat.....You really do get what you pay for.

Alright, I got the hydrofarm thermostat today off of amazon...and I really don't like it. I don't like how it turns on and off, and you can only have one heat pad plugged in to it. I tried plugging a surge protector into it, and it didn't work...I think I'm going to get one from Reptile Basics...or something.

I need some suggestions.

I only have two snakes right now...

I have one young ball python who is running 11" flexwatt under his tub. I'm using a lamp dimmer on him right now though, and keeping his hot spot in between 90-95. Which is annoying cause I'm always fiddling with the dimmer, but that's okay...I have a heat pad tin foil taped to the side of his tub because it's cold in Alaska, but nothing is controlling it right now, it's just to help the ambient temps.

2nd snake is a new blood python. The thermostat was for him, and it is doing a crappy job of keeping his ambient temps steady like I wanted.

This is my new plan for his set up. Get a couple feet of 4 inch flexwatt and run it around the lower sides of his tub so the whole thing is heated! That way I only need one heat source rather than the like...3 I have on it right now!

So now, my question...can I use one thermostat for my ball pythons heat pad on the side and the soon to be here 4 inch flexwatt if they are all set to the same temp, approx. in the 80-81 range. How does it work if the thermostat has only one probe? Do you just plug them all in to the surge strip, which is wired into the thermostat, put the probe on one heat pad and expect it to keep all of the other heat sources at the desired temps?

Which thermostat from Reptile basics should I get, or one from a different company?? I was thinking the Helix Controls DBS1000 Proportional Thermostat (Grounded). Can I plug a power surge strip into this to control more than one heat source?

Thanks a lot guys! I want to do this right and now I believe you get what you pay for!

I remember you saying yours was coming in the mail today, a $30 thermostat sounded fishy, now this is just proof.

I use Ranco thermostats, they are on-off thermostats not proportional like a Helix or Herpstat, but they do a great job keep temps right. You do kindof what i do, i have a Vision cage that i use a quarantine cage and right now my new arrival is in it. I have 3 heat pads on the cage, one on the center top directly plugged into the wall that is always about 108.

Then the other 2 are about 98-100 degrees and are under the tank and on the side of the tank, the tank is now perfect with ambient temps around 80 and the hot spot is around 94-95. I am only using a rheostat, but keep in mind this is just a temporary setup till he is given a clean bill of health, then he gets a nice 28 qt tub with flexwatt running on a Ranco.

I would always recommending buying from Reptile Basics cause Rich has the best customer service you will find and he will MAKE SURE your satisfied no matter what it takes. Plus his prices are very competitive to other people on the net.

I wouldn't control 2 different wattage/sized heat pads on the same thermostat. Heck I've got some foot long brand new wired 11" flexwatt i could sell you if you want some, but don't use 4 inch and 11 inch on the same thermostat and they will be different temps and you do only have one probe.

My 8 level rack only uses a probe on the middle shelf, granted the temps vary about 4 degrees from middle to top, or middle to bottom. This really isn't that big of a deal for me, cause it still gives me a 88 degree hot spot, which is still fine.

Well I think for the ball python I can stick with lamp dimmers because if his temps go up or down a couple degrees, it's not a big deal because his hot spot is pretty much always spot on, or at least in between 90-95, and his temps are never too high, or too low, so I think were okay there. Then maybe I could do something more efficient in the future.

So then all I want to do is get my bloods temps basically perfect. They are okay now, I've only had him for a couple days and he ate for me today, so obviously he is comfortable, but I don't like the set up.

So then I could change my set up to be 4" flex watt all around the blood tub (lower sides) or just on three sides, plugged into either the Ranco or Johnson, and as he ages and gets into a bigger tub, change over to 11".

And then if I got some 4" flex watt for my balls ambient temps, I could put that on the thermostat too as long as the temps were all the same and all the flexwatt was the same in width.

You could do that since your trying to keep ambient temps and the blood would need the mid 80's temp anyways, so that would work out well. Or at least in theory it should.

I have the hydrofarm, I plugged an extension cord into mine, it controls 3 racks perfectly. you could get a grounded plug adapter from HD and plug a 6 slot power strip into it, simple solution :)

I own both, Ranco and Hydrofarm with no issues, maybe you received a defective one.

I'm going to go find another extension chord and plug it in. It was working and then stopped working. My temps are okay now, but I still want the flexwatt around 3/4 of my bloods tub.

Both of the extension plugs I tried using were grounded.

Just tried with another extension chord and it didn't work.

I hope it works with the heat pad right now...I think it does..I just tried plugging a regular extension chord into the hydrofarm and it didn't work. But I have it set at 82.0, it says it's 79.8(okay now it just jumped up to 84.9 and going back down...) right now, and my accurite probe inside the tub, under the newspaper says it's 80.2..now 80.6...I think this one isn't working so well...now the temps are going back down.

So it's obviously working, just not with the extension chord?? And is still kind of iffy..

I may just spend the extra and get the Ranco and return this one. I would hate to get another defective one when I really need something stable right now.

Like my set up is crazy right now haha. I have the thermostat controlling the heat pad on the bottom and keeping it at 80F. Then I have a heat pad on the side, and a human heating pad on low, which runs 80 on top of his tub...and my temps are still only barely right.

I think I'm going to be making a call to reptile basics Monday morning.

I picked up a couple of those earlier too, they're working fine for me, I even have a power strip plugged in. I was leary at first just because they are so cheap, so I've been keeping a close eye on them, but so far they're working well. But that's only been for a couple of months, If I can make it over a year I'll be impressed.

I also have the hydrofarm and right now it's doing a fine job after my thread I have the hydrofarm set to 87 deg the probe is on the inside right over the UTH. the accurite probe is right next to the hydrofarm.

accurite shows lowest on the hot side when off 90-93, cool side is in the low 80's ambient just took a little messing with to get it "right"

this is for my baby rtb.

Chad

Yeah it's working for the one thing plugged in to it. But it won't allow for an extension plug...

So, in your opinion, do you think I should go with the Ranco, or get a replacement for being defective?

I paid $50 for it regardless to get it shipped here quickly, so I have no problem going higher with the price.

I just recently paid $80 shipped for a brand new Ranco, so i would really return that POS and get something that's tried and true. People have been using Ranco's for years, me personally 1 year exactly and now i own 2, one for Ball Pythons and one for my Chondro.

Personally I've had several Ranco's go bad on me, I don't buy them anymore. I'd been using the Johnsons until I started giving these hydrofarms a try.

So muchh coonnfflliiccttttttttt, so much to choose froommmmmm. :(

I'm going to post in the Wanted section looking to see if anyone has any extra or un-needed thermostats before buying one on Monday.

sounds like you got a defective one...mine works and I tested it with a power strip as well using a human body pad works just fine.

I did move the probe to inbetween the tub and pad and its nearly 100% accurate with the accurite

Chad

I have been using the same Newtek On/Off Thermostat for little over 2 years now without any issues. I'm pretty sure I got it off The Bean Farm.

I'm switching everything over to Herpstats soon but that has more to do with me wanting more control of my temperatures but I really can't knock some of the cheaper Thermostats, the ones I've had have definitely held up.

Hi, I have 1 ranco for my blood pythons, and I have another on the way for my ball python I got from boasandballs. (got me a 11", 5' flexwatt too)

I got it for 46 shipped.

And wire it your self... don't be lazy :P (I can't see paying someone 40$ to put a 2$ powerstrip, and 50cent power cord on the thing.)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ranco-Electronic...item230abca265

My current ranco is SPOT on with my temp gun.

For my blood pytons it is set to this...
(for these guys I am using 11", 5' flexwatt)
f
83
1
h1

for my ball pythons it will be set @

(I am using 3", 5' piece of flexwatt)

f
90
1
h1

Here is how to wire it.

http://www.rcreptiles.com/blog/index...1000_thermosta

Pretty easy.

Ohh, he has a johnson 419 for 42$ too...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Johnson-Control-...item230abca4ec

I don't know how to wire things :P Is there a video on how to wire it?

Yes... give me a sec.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9YO5jZ9H6I

I wish that video was slower.....T_T

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AkHerps

I wish that video was slower.....T_T

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http://www.rcreptiles.com/blog/index...1000_thermosta

Just follow the steps, then watch the vid if you get stuck, or take pics and post em up.

We can walk you through it too!

(that same vid is at the bottom of the page.)

If you just don't want to wire it, then this is the best price I can find for a prewired. Others may chime in on a cheaper solution...

http://www.reptilebasics.com/ranco-e...pre-wired.html

Could the extension cord you were trying may blown fuse in it, some ext. cords have fuses, double check to make sure.

I tried three extension chords...I'm looking for another one right now. But I've got other options thanks to this forum :)

It's not the extension chords, because they all still work when something is plugged into them.

So one on ebay unwired is only 50 bucks with free shipping. Where as online they are 80 plus shipping....

Alright.

I've got just two choices! Both are on e-bay and from the same seller.

Should I get this..A Johnson A419 that I will have to wire...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Johnson-Control-...item230abca4ec

Or a Ranco that I will have to wire.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ranco-Electronic...item230abca265

From what I was told...

With the johnson you can get a night drop box. (if you ever plan to breed.)

But I wanted the ranco, even though it does not have a night drop option, because I heard about it in another hobby(reef tank... people trust these things with over 20,000$ in corals.), and it was very highly praised, aswell as this hobby.

So the choice was easy for me.

Also Akherps, If you have ever installed a light fixture or ceiling fan, you can do this :)

And you don't even have to make sure the power is off. :)

Yeah, the Ranco looks easier to wire, whereas I haven't found any good instructions on how to wire the Johnson.

I understand the step by step instructions of the Ranco.

I have never heard anything about a johnson in any of many hobbies I am in.

This is the only website I've ever heard about a johnson.

You can go to walmart and get a single power strip for 2.99$, or a 2pack for 4.99$, and a extension cord for 50cents for a 5', or a 1$ for a 8'-10' cord.

The guy shipped my ranco out today, lets see how long it takes. :)

I've got everything I need here at home already :D Although I might by a new power strip, but I've got older 6 outlet ones here. I might play it safe and go buy all new stuff. I'm going to order mine today also. I'm in Alaska so I can expect it to take a little longer to get here, but maybe not!

I hope you like it.

You will pat your self on the back, after you see how much you saved.

Yeah I don't understand why other companies are charging a lot more, maybe they are making you pay for the time it takes to wire everything together?

You will be done in around 5 min, if you have wire strippers.

10-20 min or so if you have to use a blade to strip all the wires.

It makes me wonder how much they really do get the units for considering this guy is selling them SHIPPED for 46$.

30$ for unit???

Yeah I was just practicing stripping..and I'm going to go get wire strippers or go look for some in the garage, those are definitely a need!

i bought one of those bah 1000 big apple on/off thermostats....wouldnt recommend it, inaccurate, and cheesy, i barely even dare to leave it on. just bought a herpstat ND,just have to wait it out till then. heating devices plugged into a thermostat should always be the a same size /watts from my understanding!







:snake:

yea, too bad, or I would have only needed 1 ranco.

Yeah, all that's going to be in mine once I get it and wire it is 3" flex watt.

Yea just get a multi plug adapter and you can have more than one pad plugged in. As for the one / off, most of them do that in one fashion or another. O and use a surge protector as a just in case no matter what you use.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by llovelace

I have the hydrofarm, I plugged an extension cord into mine, it controls 3 racks perfectly. you could get a grounded plug adapter from HD and plug a 6 slot power strip into it, simple solution :)

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What do you mean by use a surge protector? As in, plug the heat source into the surge protector, or plug the thermostat into a surge protector?

Do a search for homebrewing beer. They use both the Johnson and Ranco and have wiring diagrams for both. I have wired 3 ranco's for my beer fridge. They are very easy to wire.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by axeman569

Do a search for homebrewing beer. They use both the Johnson and Ranco and have wiring diagrams for both. I have wired 3 ranco's for my beer fridge. They are very easy to wire.

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3 for just one fridge?

It will be in, in the morning...

Fast shipper.

Mine will also be here tomorrow...:D

If you are running two different types of heat tape, or different sizes of the same heat tape, then you will either need two thermostats, or one that has two outputs. I suggest the Herpstat II.