Is This a Rheostat?

http://i46.tinypic.com/zmxzb.jpg

So, did I get the right thing?

Mission for today was pretty much accomplished. Got a UTH and that device there to hopefully keep it controlled, a second probe-thermometer to keep track of both the hot and cold side, and an Accurite digital hygro/thermo combo.

Tomorrow is food, chlorhexidine and new hides.

As far as that device goes, it's rated for 120 watts and my head pad is 8 watts, so I'm hoping someone with some experience can tell me what to expect when I go to plug that thing in for Monty tonight after I get off work.

That is a plug-in lamp dimmer...and really only okay as a temporary temperature controller...

Alrighty...

When you say temporary, you mean like 5 minutes temporary or 5 months temporary?

What the difference between what I have there and a rheostat? I went to two different Lowe's stores, a Wal-Mart and a Home Depot. Nobody had the vaguest clue as to what I was talking about and to be honest, I really didn't either. This was the closest thing that I could find.

If I plug my heat pad into this thing, I'm not going to burn my house down or anything like that, am I?

I would buy a thermostat, skip the rheostat. :gj:

That lamp dimmer is fine until you can get an actual theromstat for the UTH.

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Originally Posted by ballpythonluvr

That lamp dimmer is fine until you can get an actual theromstat for the UTH.

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Alright, cool. Thank you.

That's basically what I wanted to know since I didn't have 100+ bucks right this minute to just run out and buy a high-quality digital thermostat.

Poor little (he really ain't little) Monty has been living without a UTH for a while at my buddy's place anyway, so I'm hoping he'll think it's an upgrade just to have that going on until I can get him something nicer and maybe even a ladyfriend before breeding season is over.

^^^ what both of them said. I only use mine for as long as it takes for the thermostat to come in the mail. You won't find thermostats at any store I'm sure. Here is a cheap thermostat that works pretty well.
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...ords=hydrofarm

A lamp dimmer is a rheostat, but rheostats are less than ideal as they have to be manually adjusted.

Here is a good cheap thermostat that is much better: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000NZZG3S

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Originally Posted by LGray23

^^^ what both of them said. I only use mine for as long as it takes for the thermostat to come in the mail. You won't find thermostats at any store I'm sure. Here is a cheap thermostat that works pretty well.
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...ords=hydrofarm

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Thanks.

Once I've got the money, I'll probably just buy something high-end that can control at least two devices (Know of any like that? Something like a VE-200 or so? I'll do my own research, don't worry about it.), one being the heat pad, and the other being the rack that I'ma' inevitably end up getting to increase my intake for this new addiction.

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Originally Posted by BWyant

Thanks.

Once I've got the money, I'll probably just buy something high-end that can control at least two devices (Know of any like that? Something like a VE-200 or so? I'll do my own research, don't worry about it.), one being the heat pad, and the other being the rack that I'ma' inevitably end up getting to increase my intake for this new addiction.

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The VE200 can only control 1 heat source what you want is a Herpstat 2 (can control 2 heat sources) the Herpstat 4 (can control 4 heat sources) or the VE300 x2 (can control 2 heat sources. Personally I think theat you get more for your money with the herpstat line of thermostats.

Here is one of my Herpstat 4's

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/IMG_0342.jpg

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

The VE200 can only control 1 heat source what you want is a Herpstat 2 (can control 2 heat sources) the Herpstat 4 (can control 4 heat sources) or the VE300 x2 (can control 2 heat sources. Personally I think theat you get more for your money with the herpstat line of thermostats.

Here is one of my Herpstat 4's

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/IMG_0342.jpg

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Depending how you run your cords, they can control many more than that.

Herp 2 has 2 outputs, but it will also run a certain watt per output. Ie, more than one heat source. I have a 2 and run 3 racks off one output and my incubator or room heater off the other. Ive heard of ppl controlling entire rooms off a herp 4 with multiple full sized racks, incubators, hatchling racks and room temps. Probe extensions are also available.

A 350 dollar multiple output thermostat will pay for itself in its flexibility in no time. And depending on your projected size, may very well only ever need the one, with a possible back up

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Originally Posted by Simplex

Depending how you run your cords, they can control many more than that.

Herp 2 has 2 outputs, but it will also run a certain watt per output. Ie, more than one heat source. I have a 2 and run 3 racks off one output and my incubator or room heater off the other. Ive heard of ppl controlling entire rooms off a herp 4 with multiple full sized racks, incubators, hatchling racks and room temps. Probe extensions are also available.

A 350 dollar multiple output thermostat will pay for itself in its flexibility in no time. And depending on your projected size, may very well only ever need the one, with a possible back up

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Yes but the heat sources controlled and the cages they heat need to be identical. You can't hook up a UTH and a heat lamp on the same channel and expect it to work right.

Thanks everyone.

The little lamp dimmer seems to be working pretty well.

Got my temperatures a heck of a lot closer to where they need to be now. Cool side still needs to hop up a little bit, 76-79 there. 88-91 on the hot.

We'll get it figured out. Snake seems a heck of a lot happier now that he has some belly heat. He sits in his hide curled up quite a bit now, whereas before he was always out and roaming around like he was looking for the heat source up above his head.

Started looking into the Herpstats as well, so thanks for that.

IMO 79 should be okay. But don't let it drop anymore.

Herpstats are amazing. I love my herpstat 2 and can't wait for my herpstat 4.