Thermostats?

Ok this is my first post kinda been lurking in the shadows and finally decided to come out. I am interested in a thermostat and have done a lot of research and will make my choice based on what the more experienced have to say. Please help me by telling me what the difference in a "proportional" vs. "on/off" and anything else i will need to know. thanks a million to all

BloO, a proportional thermostat is always "on". it regulates the current going to your heat source to keep a constant temp. They can be programed to the 10th of a degree normally.

A "on/off" such as a ranco is exactly that, its basically full throttle then off until it cools down again to where you have it programed to be and it then turns back on.

I use rancos. My incubator is on a dual ranco and the reason is that if my power were to go out, when I tested the ranco vs a herpstat on my generator I had issues with the proportional. It would simply cycle on and off as it was not clean enough power to stay at the tenth of a degree it was programed to. The ranco is on or off, it did not really care about the power and ran perfectly on the generator.

I own two types.

For basic plug-and-use, I own Helix DBS1000.

When I need better functionality, I use Spyder Robotics Herpstat Pro Bundles. What the Herpstat Pro allows you to do is amazing. I own 3, soon to be 4. If you have $350-400 to spend per thermostat get the Pro.

These are the only two types of heat control I use.

We own 3 Ranco's for the rack and a Helix that's still in the box that will be in the incubator. Our rack is in a very warm room and provides a hot spot when they want it. The helix seemed like a good choice for incubating to avoid any drop in temperature to kick back on. We are happy with 3 of our Ranco's and the helix is always rumored to very good.

I have 2 Herpstats and a Helix. I like the Herpstats better. The features and ease of use are great.

I have a Ranco, that replaced the old Repti temp thermostat. It does its job, and I have never had any problems with it. However, I would love to get a proportional t-stat and will probably go with a helix when I do.

Well, I currently have one Ranco, one Johnson, and about 4-5 ReptiTemp 500Rs. I use the higher quality stats on my BPs and the lower ones on my corns. I have so many right now because everyone is in different rooms due to QT. The Reptitemps do their work, that's all I need them to do. Yes they fluctuate, but since corns don't need spot on temps, the cheapy stats are fine.

Someday, yes I would like to own a proportional for my BPs (once they're both in the same place). Most likely a Herpstat...and someday a Herpstat II for warm and cool sides. :) But getting even the normal herpstat is going to take quite a while...

I use 2 Herpstat Pro's for my racks, incubator and ambient room temps(400watt heater) i also have 3 Rancos that I use for my quarrantines and a backup up room heater(1500 watt heater). I keep my back up heater a few degrees below the other heater in case the 400 watt cant keep up(cold snap) or breaks.

I used to use only Rancos but once you go Herpstat you will never go back.

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Originally Posted by West Coast Jungle

I use 2 Herpstat Pro's for my racks, incubator and ambient room temps(400watt heater) i also have 3 Rancos that I use for my quarrantines and a backup up room heater(1500 watt heater). I keep my back up heater a few degrees below the other heater in case the 400 watt cant keep up(cold snap) or breaks.

I used to use only Rancos but once you go Herpstat you will never go back.

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Thats what I'm talking about. Sounds like you have your heat and back up planes down pat. :gj:

I too agree on the Herpstat. :salute:

I have Helix's and Herpstat II's. I have a Helix hooked up to the QT rack and a Helix for the boa cage. I have a Herpstat II running racks and cages for the balls. I have a Helix ready to go for the 'bator for next season and I have a Herpstat II in the first aid kit so if anything glitches, I'm ready!

I'm running two Helix DBS-1000 units on my display type case. I'm building a built in rack system with an incubator under a stair case that goes to the upstairs of the floor. I bought a Herpstat Pro to handle this as the herpstat pro has 4 in 1. My rack will have 3 different sized tubs, so that is 3 channels and I figure the 4th will go to my incubator. As a back up to the built in Thermostat.

I've been using the Johnsons since I started seriously collection and love them - they hold more wattage and work beautifully. On my incubator I use the Helix - but for racks you don't need the precision of a proportional (IMO overkill) - an on/off works just fine!

I mainly use HelixDBS1000 and HerpstatNDs, I haven't had any trouble with either of them, but the built in night drop and other extra features that come with the HerpstatNDs are beyond extra handy.

believe it or not, I have had good luck with my zoomed 500r's... I think that is what its called but I am not sure... price is between 30 and 40 bucks.

It is in fact a thermostat, but it does not have a digital temperature display, so you need a thermometer or heat gun to get it set right by turning a knob... but once it is set where I want it, it keeps my temperatures within one degree. I would love to have all helix thermostats... but that is not practicle for me. I have racks, and several tanks spread out through the house.... I can't afford several helixes!!!!

I will be using a herpstat PRO for my adult racks, and a ranco or a helix for my babys( haven't decided yet) and also a dual ranco for my incubator ran off of a genorator for power losses. :D

Just ordered a Ranco

One thing people don't usually think about when deciding between a proportional and non proportional thermostat is the effect on the heat device. A proportional thermostat also increases the longevity of resistive type heating devices like heat tape. In general they are also more energy efficient. One example is a friend of mine has a bunch of Freedom Breeder and similarly constructed racks, last year we took them all apart to move them and noticed that around 25% of the heat tape had burned through in the middle. All of these racks were on non proportional thermostat and I would guess that was the likely cause. The constant full on being in contact with the metal was probably too much. A proportional thermostat in a properly heated enclosure would end up regulating the power output below the full on state. Not saying non proportional thermostat don’t have their place, they make great backups since they use a relay instead of a triac you have an alternate style of power control. They are also good for room thermostats and high wattage heat devices. Using a relay they don’t build up the internal heat like proportional thermostats so they allow for higher wattage. Just a couple extra things to think about.

George

running a Helix on my lone BP, wouldn't hesitate to buy another one when i eventually get another snake

I ordered a Herpstat a few months ago and it's perfect! We even had some weird blackout power shut off for a few seconds last night and it didn't miss a beat. I definitely recommend one and I don't think I'll ever change that opinion! :)

ive had good luck with the cheap $30 a-life thermostats but i am in the process of replacing all with herpstat and a herpstat pro

I work for a commercial heating and cooling company and we install Johnson Controls so I just order the Johnson ones in bulk, never had a problem