Thermostats

Hey guys, was looking in to getting a thermostat for some new additions in a rack system, right now "herpstat ND" is at the top of the list. It lists for about 140$ plus shipping, and I know it is a good thermostat. I was just wondering if yall might know of anything any cheaper on the market that still works well. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Does it have to be proportional or can it be On/Off? I just bought my 4th Ranco for $52 shipped on eBay, so I'm happy as can be!

Awesome that seems perfect for me and what I need,

Thanks a ton!

keep in mind with those cheaper rancos and johnsons you're going to need to wire them yourself. you can get them prewired, ive ordered all my thermostats from reptile basics, as Rich is the BEST

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Originally Posted by cinderbird

keep in mind with those cheaper rancos and johnsons you're going to need to wire them yourself. you can get them prewired, ive ordered all my thermostats from reptile basics, as Rich is the BEST

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So these come ready to go ?

Yeah but there are plenty of photo instructions online and all you need is a extension cord, preferably grounded, and a 6 outlet power strip. I can get both at harbor freight for $4, so my thermostats never cost me over $60. I used to buy them pre-wired, but it's so easy i can't justify paying someone $20 to do something i can do in 3 minutes!!!

Oh yeah, but i have bought from rich more times than i can count and he is a GREAT person to deal with. His Rancos run about $85 shipped depending on location.

Do you need a night drop? The plain Herpstat is a bit less. I personally don't like the on off style, so I'd go proportional all the way but it is really dependant on the individual set up you have. I found the on off ones work really well if there is a 'buffer' between the tub and heat source so the blasting on does not transfer instantly, but rather a slow radiation.

Here's some instructions for the Ranco...make sure you get the 120 volt model, not the 24 volt. I have two Herpstat ND's and I love them, I would go all Herpstat if I could afford it, but I run two or three Rancos as well.


Two wire non-grounded
http://www.susanminor.org/forums/sho...g-Guide&p=1002

Three wire grounded
http://www.rcreptiles.com/blog/index...1000_thermosta

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Originally Posted by steveboos

Yeah but there are plenty of photo instructions online and all you need is a extension cord, preferably grounded, and a 6 outlet power strip. I can get both at harbor freight for $4, so my thermostats never cost me over $60. I used to buy them pre-wired, but it's so easy i can't justify paying someone $20 to do something i can do in 3 minutes!!!

Oh yeah, but i have bought from rich more times than i can count and he is a GREAT person to deal with. His Rancos run about $85 shipped depending on location.

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that 20 bucks is worth it for my piece of mind. My dad taught me never to mess with something i don't fully understand, electricity is one of those things.

If you feel confident about doing it yourself, go for it though. i just dont share that confidence.

So if I do decided to go with the herpstat ND, would I have to wire it like a Ranco? Just wondering because I was just going to spend the 20 and get the ranco pre-wired, I also am going to eventually need night drop as well, which is another plus to a herpstat or can you program a ranco to do that as well?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by steveboos

Yeah but there are plenty of photo instructions online and all you need is a extension cord, preferably grounded, and a 6 outlet power strip. I can get both at harbor freight for $4, so my thermostats never cost me over $60.

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One problem i have with paying $4 for extension cord. May i ask what gauge your buying?

I know me i could pay $4 for a cheap one. But like Rich, Jeff Ronne all use and as do I is the 12 gauge heavy duty cords. Some use the heavy duty extension cords, but i prefer to buy it $1 per foot with no connections and just pay for a $3 male connection.

And as to the $4 power strip thats a little bit more reasonable. But i still like to go with a higher end one for peace of mind :)

Sorry had to chime in to see exactly what gauge cord your using for your ranco.

No the herpstat is ready to go out of the box.

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Originally Posted by f4n70m

One problem i have with paying $4 for extension cord. May i ask what gauge your buying?

I know me i could pay $4 for a cheap one. But like Rich, Jeff Ronne all use and as do I is the 12 gauge heavy duty cords. Some use the heavy duty extension cords, but i prefer to buy it $1 per foot with no connections and just pay for a $3 male connection.

And as to the $4 power strip thats a little bit more reasonable. But i still like to go with a higher end one for peace of mind :)

Sorry had to chime in to see exactly what gauge cord your using for your ranco.

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Keep in mind that your 12 guage wire is going to do the same job as 16 gauge wire, which comes in the 4 dollar extension cord. I actually just wired another ranco just 5 minutes ago and it cost me 97 cents for the extension cord with 16 gauge wire and $3.50 for a philips power strip, so i'm a happy camper and my ranco works flawlessly.

Sorry but unless your using 20 feet of 11" wide flexwatt, i don't see the need in using 12 guage wire.