Help With Thermostats!!!

Ive decided I am very sick of tweaking lamp dimmers and I would really like a thermostat. Since I am a ebay addict, this is all I could find -
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...id=p2759.l1259

Can anyone lead me in the right direction, web sites, links, anything? Or give me an opinion on the one I posted there.

I really really want to get a thermostat that can control both my UTH's, at different temps. Please help:(

Go with one of these.
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...d-thermostats/

Thanx!! Ive been searching google for hours and have not come across this site...nifty.

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...at-with-probe/

The Alife 1000 watt looks too good to be true for the price....Am I correct in saying that I get what I pay for if I buy this?

and thats from ebay canada.
home&garden->pet supplies -> reptiles
http://search.ebay.ca/thermostat_Rep...Z1QQsofocusZbs

Yea I saw those ones on ebay, thanx though!!

Helix DBS1000 from http://helixcontrols.com/ or from http://www.reptilebasics.com/Thermostats-p-1-c-250.html
or a Herpstat from http://www.spyderrobotics.com/products/index.html.
The basic Herpstat is less expensive than the Helix. Both are awesome products; I have both and I use both!! :gj:

I got a look at the herpstat earlier, I don't really want to spend $100 but I may have to...it's worth in the end I know.

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Originally Posted by missi182

I got a look at the herpstat earlier, I don't really want to spend $100 but I may have to...it's worth in the end I know.

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...and the beginning...and the middle.... :D

haha...yea

I was looking for something around 50 once shipped but I don't know if Ill find anything

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...S%252BI%252BSS

This looks good, If only it was in english...

If you don't want to spend $100+ on a proportional thermostat, get an on/off thermostat such as a Johnson or Ranco. They work nearly as well, just a slightly higher temperature differential.

http://reptilebasics.com/Johnson-Con...d-p-16178.html

http://reptilebasics.com/Ranco-ETC-1...d-p-16172.html

Both of these are also pre-wired, which is a huge plus.

But, yes you are correct in assuming that Alife thermostat is a "you get what you pay for" situation. The Zoomed that's an extra $7 is also equally as crappy.

Those Johnson or Ranco, does it turn on and shut off? Say, set a low and high and that's it?

Seems to me that the extra money for the Helix or Herpstat is the better choice. Hmm...

missi, I have to agree with the dimmer/rheostat tweaking. It gets some what annoying. If the Helix or Herpstat is set and go, then you probably want to take a real good look into getting one. I'm looking at my wallet right now actually. I might take the plunge myself.

:rolleyes:

OK, so i have looked at the herpstat, herpstat 2, and helix. I have 1 tank, so either the herpstat or the helix would work great, right? But if I wanted to control the temps on both sides of the tank I would want the herpstat 2, right? Is there any benefit using the herpstat or the helix? I see a difference in price by $30.00.

I have Herpstat II's and I have Helix's and both work great! If you want to individually and separately control two heating sources then you would need either 2 Helix's or a Herpstat II or two Herpstat's. I also purchased spare probes and extra length with mine since I have a first aid kit for the snakes and those items became part of it!

OK, Thank You.

Well the wife just came up with an idea, we want to be able to control both sides of the tank. So we will go with the herpstat, but instead of buying the herpstat 2, buy (2) herpstats, so that way if one goes out we still have the use of the other one while we have the bad one fixed. And it is no difference in cost.

I have one lamp and one heating pad, and for now, have no controls on either of them. I regulate the lamp on a 12/12 cycle. Do I need to spend $100's on timers and thermostats?

You had better get something controlling the heat. At least a dimmer switch, if you have to save up for a good thermostat. You can get a dimmer switch for under 10$ at home depot, lowes, etc.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sneakerpro

I have one lamp and one heating pad, and for now, have no controls on either of them. I regulate the lamp on a 12/12 cycle. Do I need to spend $100's on timers and thermostats?

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The heating pad you have is the biggest issue, because uncontrolled heat pads sit around 110 degrees. Yes you do need a control for the heatpad, not the lamp though. For the lamp if it is too hot, you can buy a lower wattage.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by addsdad

You had better get something controlling the heat. At least a dimmer switch, if you have to save up for a good thermostat. You can get a dimmer switch for under 10$ at home depot, lowes, etc.

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This is what I did and while it does lower the temp of the heating pads, the temp is not steady so it requires constant tweaking. But if you cannot afford a thermostat (like a helix or herpstat) the dimmer switch will work until you get sick of it.

and you will get sick of it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by missi182

Ive decided I am very sick of tweaking lamp dimmers and I would really like a thermostat. Since I am a ebay addict, this is all I could find -
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...id=p2759.l1259

Can anyone lead me in the right direction, web sites, links, anything? Or give me an opinion on the one I posted there.

I really really want to get a thermostat that can control both my UTH's, at different temps. Please help:(

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I got a Herpstat, and it works perfectly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by missi182

The heating pad you have is the biggest issue, because uncontrolled heat pads sit around 110 degrees. Yes you do need a control for the heatpad, not the lamp though. For the lamp if it is too hot, you can buy a lower wattage.

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Mine was up to 120+!!! Same with one my buddy had, I gave him my old BAH-1000. I'm glad I did too, got close to 130 when I was over there.

Yea I am so glad I measured the temps of my UTH when I first bought it before I got my bp home, so I had time to realize, "gee these don't control themselves"...

Anywho, does anyone think this would work??

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tekmar-511-Progr...QQcmdZViewItem

Go with either herpstat, or helix. I prefer herpstat (way more functions)

The rest is junk, and Ive never seen a herpstat or helix on ebay.


There are also on/off thermostats but they wont work well for lights.

My boyfriend is in home automation and he wants to rig this up. You can control one temp but measure 4 I believe.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll....cWAT.m240.lVI

I use the alife 1000 without a problem, it keeps all my heat tape the same degrees. The only thing is that you have to mess with it for a little while to get the temps you want, it fluctuates between three degrees of where you want it so you have to get in between( Right now i have it where the highest it gos is 93 and the lowest 89 and gos up and down throughout the day) But other than that i would buy it again unless I needed it for ALOT of snakes and a huge rack!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Beardedragon

I use the alife 1000 without a problem, it keeps all my heat tape the same degrees. The only thing is that you have to mess with it for a little while to get the temps you want, it fluctuates between three degrees of where you want it so you have to get in between( Right now i have it where the highest it gos is 93 and the lowest 89 and gos up and down throughout the day) But other than that i would buy it again unless I needed it for ALOT of snakes and a huge rack!

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Yes, I am wanting to purchase one of these. As a starving graphic designer who is wanting to go back to school in January 09, I cannot blow $130 on a Helix. I know there are a lot of people out there who want the best thing possible no matter the cost, but I can't afford it right now. After I finish grad school will be another story :)

Has anyone had a bad experience with the Alife?

I got the Herpstat II for 2 seperate tanks. And only UTH in each tank. Temps are running pretty good right now. Gotta love the ease of it.

I use habistat, living earth( might be a british company) superb.

On/Off thermostats scare me. I had a BAH-1000 for a while. And by a while I mean 3 days, and man, that was a rough couple of days.

I said it earlier, if you aren't looking to spend a bunch of money get a Herpstat. Honestly, $100 isn't much for an animal that could live 20+ years.

Don't short change your snake.