Multiple racks on surge multi plug to tstat . ..... work?

If I have enough watts in my tstat
Is it ok and Have you done it... to plug two racks into a surge multi plug then plugged into my tstat cHanne plug?.

Are there heating size and type the same?

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And the problem with this is the probe. If you put it on one rack it could skew the temps for the other. I would not do this I would put a probe on each rack, but if your heating is the same (size and type) it could be done

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It works well. In fact, that's exactly how professional racks (ARS, Freedom Breeder, etc) are designed. Each level has an individual heating element, which all plug into a power strip/surge protector. That strip then plugs into a single thetmostat.

It's not a matter of "it could be done". It can be done successfully and has been for quite some time on a large scale. You just need to ensure that the heating elements are identical (wattage, size, length, etc) that you're plugging into the strip and that the thermostat can handle the wattage. Beyond that, it's just a matter of how many animals you personally feel comfortable with having on a single thermostat should something go wrong.

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Originally Posted by Soord

And the problem with this is the probe. If you put it on one rack it could skew the temps for the other. I would not do this I would put a probe on each rack, but if your heating is the same (size and type) it could be done

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So how do you think it is done with individual pieces per shelf in any rack?
I have a spare tub with a thermometer glued in it that gets rotated through my racks so I know what each shelf is doing.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

So how do you think it is done with individual pieces per shelf in any rack?
I have a spare tub with a thermometer glued in it that gets rotated through my racks so I know what each shelf is doing.

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Yeah and look at the difference between the top and bottom heat then spread that over racks with possible different conditions depending on the room they are in and how far apart they are and stuff. I didn't say it couldn't be done and if the racks are right next to each other it can be done and work fine but I personally wouldn't do it myself

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I dont have more than one rack though so I don't know for sure, but with the spread in just one rack id be nervous to put multiple racks on one thermostat unless it had multiple probes like a herpstat 2. I interpreted the OP was trying to take a herpstat 1 or something and run multiple racks off of it which I wouldn't personally do although if conditions are similar between the racks it could work perfectly fine.

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Yes it can be done if you have enough power outage, identical rack and heat source BUT you also need quality power strip , the problem is most people will use the cheapest strip they have, overload thhem and it will start heating up and become a fire hazard.

Not like there has not been a few breeders that have not lost their entire collection before because of this.

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only problem I see with doing this is, if one of the heat tapes in one of the racks starts getting too hot and goes out of control and it's not the one with the probe, there's nothing to stop it.

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Originally Posted by Yodawagon

only problem I see with doing this is, if one of the heat tapes in one of the racks starts getting too hot and goes out of control and it's not the one with the probe, there's nothing to stop it.

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That is with ANY rack that has heat per shelf.

I actually run my set up in the same way. I have a Herpstat 2 powering two 120 V six outlet surge protectors that leads to the flexwatt tape. The 11" flex watt tape has a voltage rating of 110V and is cut to the same length for each tub. In the event of a short, the surge protector will shut off power to the flexwatt tape. You have to use dimming and not pulse heating on the Herpstat though.

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Originally Posted by Check-Raiser

I actually run my set up in the same way. I have a Herpstat 2 powering two 120 V six outlet surge protectors that leads to the flexwatt tape. The 11" flex watt tape has a voltage rating of 110V and is cut to the same length for each tub. In the event of a short, the surge protector will shut off power to the flexwatt tape. You have to use dimming and not pulse heating on the Herpstat though.

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Why do you have to use dimming?

Also I have a question, if you plug a surge protector into the back of a thermostat doesn't it dim or pulse the surge protector also since it is plugged into the output? This does not pose any risk? Just curious since I only have 1 Leo rack right now but plan to build another and bp racks.

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I use the dimming feature on the Herpstat without issue on the output surge protectors. The surge protector prevents the current from reaching the flexwatt tape under pulse mode (I noticed it when the surge protector light started to flicker under that mode).

I run a surge protector to protect and power the Herpstat 2 and two surge protectors out with no problems for over a year. Btw, I use a Home Depot HDX Plastic Rack, and I tape the probe directly to the flexwatt facing the shelf side within a void to allow for a flat surface facing the tub.For each six outlet surge protector, I set one probe to one of the six flexwatt tapes being powered.

As a quick tip, you can place a stack of magazines or replace another tub on the probed flexwatt tape spot during a full clean to maintain temperature consistency among the other tubs.

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Originally Posted by Check-Raiser

I use the dimming feature on the Herpstat without issue on the output surge protectors. The surge protector prevents the current from reaching the flexwatt tape under pulse mode (I noticed it when the surge protector light started to flicker under that mode).

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That's kinda weird it wouldn't power the heat tape with pulse. Pulse would make the light flicker, like my ve-300 makes my rhp light flicker, bc it is sending quick on/off signals but it must be some safety feature of the power strip to not give the heat tape power. I'll have to see if my VE pulse stats do the same thing and if so I'll either have to use my VE-200D or my Herpstat 6.

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Belkin makes one of the best surge protector multi plug outlets. They are top of the line and warranty their products.

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Originally Posted by Albert Clark

Belkin makes one of the best surge protector multi plug outlets. They are top of the line and warranty their products.

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That's actually what reptile basics suggests you should use with VE stats so I don't understand why Herpstat pulse mode wouldn't work with a power strip if VE will.

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That would be why you want a POWER strip and not a surge protector.
The electrical pulse from a proportional thermostat can trip the surge protector because the pulse is a continual surge of power.