Need thermostat

Hey I am looking for a good thermostat, I guess that comes with a probe. Where should I place the probe. And also whats a good thermostat to get. Thanks. :snake:

i like rancos and helix! probe placement depends alot on your setup.



vaughn

we are using the esu 1000 watt thermostat, we have 4 of them, never once had a problem... if you goto other fourms such as rcreptiles fourm and ash over there almost 90% of the peeps over there have been using the same one for years and never had a problem.

http://www.reptilesupply.com/images/rp236.jpg

I also prefer to spend more for a quality thermostat and use the Ranco and Helix thermostats. I've heard of too many failures of the ESU ones myself.

I've been very pleased with my Herpstats.

:lmao: And I use the Johnson's Control model and have had really good luck with them. :D


...but some ppl prefer the proportional, and others are okay w/the on/off's.

RuLyn

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Originally Posted by rabernet

I also prefer to spend more for a quality thermostat and use the Ranco and Helix thermostats. I've heard of too many failures of the ESU ones myself.

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thats cool but i just want ya to realize it is built everything is built, and there is a chance of any of these thermostats going bad, as a mechanic it really does not matter if you buy the cheap on or the one you spend a paycheck on.... there is nothing built that is a guarntee.... remember that...

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Originally Posted by KIBPLOVER

thats cool but i just want ya to realize it is built everything is built, and there is a chance of any of these thermostats going bad, as a mechanic it really does not matter if you buy the cheap on or the one you spend a paycheck on.... there is nothing built that is a guarntee.... remember that...

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So according to you there is no difference between a Yugo and a BMW? Sorry, I happen to think there is a world of difference in the quality between a $100 thermostat and a $20 one. Just like many things that you buy... you get what you pay for.

Personally, I wouldn't trust any of my snakes to an ESU. :2cent:

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Originally Posted by slartibartfast

I've been very pleased with my Herpstats.

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x2 :gj:
I have a Herpstat PRO in the mail right now...
Dean, I have a wired ranco with probe ready to plug in and use right out of the box. it's on one of my racks right now and works fine. I will be replacing it with the Herpstat PRO. If you're interested, I will sell it to you.

there is a difference in quality and working accuracy!


a cheap bi-metal coil type vs digital quality solid state circuits?

they are different, a similiar comparison would be a commodore 64 to today's entery level pc. :D


vaughn

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Originally Posted by xdeus

Personally, I wouldn't trust any of my snakes to an ESU. :2cent:

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100% agree. I had an ESU where the Bi-metal sensor switches oxidized and went full open...thank goodness nothing was in the tank yet.

I use Helix and Herpstats in my incubator and racks. I use Runcos for my 2 show tanks that have radiant heat panels.

So I hear Helix, Herpstats, Ranco, and Johnson are the best. I just looked at two ranco's on reptilebasics.com whats the difference between the two? Ranco ETC-111000 Pre Wired and Ranco ETC-111000?. And as far as looking at these do I just plug my flexx watt heat tape or UTH in there and I adjust the temperature on the tank just by pressing some buttons and it holds that temperature??? Or is there more complications to it? I really need to fix this situation because I am soo sick of my setup right now, its way too dangerous. What about this I know its cheap BAH-1000 Thermostat (1000 Watt Triple Plug-In) or I found this one at petco looked kind of kool Zoo Med Save Your Reptiles ReptiTemp 500R Remote Sensor Thermostat :2cent:

Please I need some input on these before I spend money. And nate I am interested in buying your ranco just pm me price with shipping and I will get back to you. Thanks :8:

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Originally Posted by KingPython

So I hear Helix, Herpstats, Ranco, and Johnson are the best. I just looked at two ranco's on reptilebasics.com whats the difference between the two? Ranco ETC-111000 Pre Wired and Ranco ETC-111000?. And as far as looking at these do I just plug my flexx watt heat tape or UTH in there and I adjust the temperature on the tank just by pressing some buttons and it holds that temperature???

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The difference here is that one is wired and one is not. If you're at all unsure, go for the pre-wired one. It'll come with the probe and electrical cords already attached and all you need to do is plug your flexwat in. And yeah...you have to push some buttons to set the temps you want it to maintain...but once that's done, you're pretty much done with messing with it at all.

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What about this I know its cheap BAH-1000 Thermostat (1000 Watt Triple Plug-In) or I found this one at petco looked kind of kool Zoo Med Save Your Reptiles ReptiTemp 500R Remote Sensor Thermostat :2cent:

Please I need some input on these before I spend money.

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Don't waste your money on those....they are "cheap" because they're cheap. They have a high failure rate...and when they DO fail, they allow your heat source to max out, rather than just shutting it off. Too much risk for serious burns, in my opinion, with those cheap t-stats. You'll feel much more secure with a Ranco.

My experience. I went threw 3 different T-stats tryint to save $, until I got the Helix( I love it). The best one out there ( IMO ). Didn't save any $ trying the cheaper T-stats.

I myself use a ESU one, not sure of the model, but it doesnt have a multi plug on it, it only has one spot to have one device plugged into, so i just used an electrical cord that has a split on it to put both my UTH on it. I don't have a single complaint about the ESU. IMO, if its not broke, don't fix it.

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Originally Posted by SnakeEyes

I myself use a ESU one, not sure of the model, but it doesnt have a multi plug on it, it only has one spot to have one device plugged into, so i just used an electrical cord that has a split on it to put both my UTH on it. I don't have a single complaint about the ESU. IMO, if its not broke, don't fix it.

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When you do have a failure, we will be here to console you. I once had a probe come up with my JC thermostat and instead of having burned snakes, the thermostat automatically shut itself off after being run full blast for too long. ESU has no such feature.

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Originally Posted by SnakeEyes

I myself use a ESU one, not sure of the model, but it doesnt have a multi plug on it, it only has one spot to have one device plugged into, so i just used an electrical cord that has a split on it to put both my UTH on it. I don't have a single complaint about the ESU. IMO, if its not broke, don't fix it.

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you got the 500 w esu.. i got the 1000 watt....

see the other forum i'm on 90% of them have been using the esu for years and there breeders too, and have had no problems with them... like i said anything can break....

http://www.rcreptiles.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=1

That's all why there's advice given and discussion made on a public board. ....


Peeps give their opinions and experiences, and then the reader can make an informed decision that works for THEM


And it's all GOOD. :rockon:

RuLyn:sunny:

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

When you do have a failure, we will be here to console you. I once had a probe come up with my JC thermostat and instead of having burned snakes, the thermostat automatically shut itself off after being run full blast for too long. ESU has no such feature.

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to console, or to say i told you so...big difference.

that the only difference from the 500w and the 1000w, the multi plug?

Whats the JC??? I think I will go with a ranco or johnson, maybe a helix if I feel spendy but since I am getting my boy a new home no helix for me. Switching to glass tank instead of my wooden.

Johnson's Control...the brand name of a t-stat like the Ranco brand model

I knew that!! lol jk jk thanks

how many heating devices can the ranco handle at once?

It's limited by: 1. the total wattage of your heating units attached; 2. how many outlets it has available; and 3. if the heating sources and tanks/tubs are totally identical.

Some of my JCs are singles, and some are attached to a 6-plug power strip. As long as the UTHs and cages are all the same, so they heat exactly the same way for every snake, then I can attach up to six on one t-stat, (as long as the combined wattage value doesn't exceed the JC's wattage limits).

I've got a couple on power strips that are only one or two UTHs, etc. That's b/c the others in the rack are either a different brand UTH, one is a tub and the other is a tank, or one is a 10g tank and the other two are 40g breeder and 20g long sizes....so the heating requirements are all different.....they all need their own t-stat to be the right on/off action for that particular snakey home.

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Originally Posted by KIBPLOVER

you got the 500 w esu.. i got the 1000 watt....

see the other forum i'm on 90% of them have been using the esu for years and there breeders too, and have had no problems with them... like i said anything can break....

http://www.rcreptiles.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=1

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90%? I find that very hard to believe. I did a search on that forum for ESU and the only thread that came up related to ball pythons was a discussion on Ranco thermostats and the user was using an ESU THERMOMETER not thermostat.

Do you have a link to the actual discussion that shows 90% of the users there, including breeders are trusting their collections to the thermostat you're using?

i may have exaggerated on 90% lol,, but here was the link when we were discussing it and we were also in chat at the time too.. and deb is a breeder...

http://www.rcreptiles.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1874

I had one as a temporary when I was waiting for my JC to come in and temps fluctuated 10* so it has been sitting in my closet since.

I use Helix. I prefer proportional as oppose to on /off , but that is just me.

As for the ESU debate I had two of those one hooked up to each overhead light I use to have on my AP cage, I only had 75 watt bulbs in there and even if they stayed on 24/7 the temps would never have gotten dangerous high. ( I did an actual check ) Temps stayed w/i 2-3 degrees of where it was set.
I used them for about 3 yrs w/ no problem. Would I have used or use one on my UTH heating, the answer would be NO. I used Helix. Because they are not as reliable as a good quailty T-stat and if the UTH heating goes wide open you have a big problem ie burned or dead repitile on your hands. Just not worth it.

Those ESU's cost about 30-40 bucks add another 30 bucks and go w/ a Johnson or Ranco and never worry or look back. Peace of mind is a great thing to have. :)

Whats the use of the nightdrop? Does it raise the temp when it gets colder at night?

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Originally Posted by KingPython

Whats the use of the nightdrop? Does it raise the temp when it gets colder at night?

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Night drop is a feature used for breeding. Night and day (warm days and cool nights) is used to stimulate breeding for snakes. If you're not breeding, it is not necessary.

The Night Drop feature simply drops the temps at night (at what ever specific time you set) by how ever many degrees you tell it to drop.

alright sweet I def dont need that then :) thanks I decided I am going to go with the Ranco and not look back

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Originally Posted by KingPython

alright sweet I def dont need that then :) thanks I decided I am going to go with the Ranco and not look back

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I think you're making a good decision :gj:

I just bought aspen for my bedding is it good? I herd it gets moist good and its good for humidity. I cant wait to finish my new setup lol Im soo excited

I use Aspen. Many others use Aspen as well. :)