What kind of thermostats do you guys use?

And when building a rack system should you put a probe on every set of heat tape or can you just put it on one and then have it control all of them?

Because I'm really thinking of getting a Helix DBS-1000 but putting it on every single set of heat tape would be extremely costly and I'd have to find myself something else.

If they are all the same exact things being controlled the results should be the same.

Johnson Controls

I use a couple Johnson Controls and Herpstat pro. No you do not have to place a probe on each strip as long as they are all the same thickness and wattage. For example, I have three hatchling racks that are build exactly the same, and have the same type of heat tape. I have one Johnson Controls controlling all three. If you were using two different types of racks; such as, a hatchling rack and a sub-adult rack, then you would need a thermostat to control each type.

I use Ranco's all the way, but I've heard good things about Johnson's and Helix's too.

I put the probe closest to the middle tub as I can.

For example- I have a stack of 4 (4-tub each) CB-70 racks. They are stacked two high and two long, like a cube. This means the "tubs" are 8 high and 2 long. The probe is place on the right side and the 5th tub up from the bottom.

1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4--this tub has the probe.
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4

Hope this helps.

I recently purchased a Johnson Controls A419 off of eBay. So nice to not have to check the temp a few times a day and adjust the rheostat accordingly.

Spyder Robotics herpstat

and Zoo med 500R ( never had a problem with these stats! i love them!)

I'm using herpstat nd. LOVE it!!!! Very easy to setup and the night drop feature is spot on...

As for probe placement... If you're using it for one rack, just place the probe on the middle shelf on the heat tape. I like to cut a piece of a sample tub that will be used in the rack and place the probe on that, then tape it to the flexwatt...

I use a herpstat pro on the enclosures and a ranco for the room. Works great for me.

Hrm, anyone know about the BAH-1000? If it is fairly reliable I may pick a few up and just use one for each shelf.

Helix. Love it.

Herpstats all the way.

Herpstat ND the adult BP

Herpstat for the hatchlings

Ranco for the colubrid rack and to control the oil filled heater.

Herpstat PRO, Ranco, Herpstat..

I have used Rancos, helixes, and herpstats on a variety of racks (boaphile, vision, and ARS). One thermostat can control as many heating devices without going over the max watts rated for each thermostat. For example, one thermostat can control three vision racks heated with three fifty foot heat cables. Or one thermostat can control 10 flexwatt heat panels for one thirty tub ARS rack. I think each heating device must be of equivalent wattage in order for the heating to be consistent. Make sure the probe is somewhere in the middle of the racks.

Herpstat is by far my favorite due to the built in night drop feature.

David

I have and have used herpstat, ranco, helix, big apple herp thermostat, dimmer/rheostat and BAH-1000 on/off.

I definitely like the herpstats the best as far as proportional thermostats go.

I like the ranco but have heard good things about johnsons as well.

I'd personally advise staying away from BAH-1000, 500R, or any other entry level on/off thermostat. For me they have not held up very well over time (2-3 year lifespan) and sometimes fail in the ON position (as most any thermostat can do).

On a budget I would suggest using a dimmer/rheostat set to a couple degrees hotter than your desired temp and then adding a ranco or johnson on/off at your desired temp using low wattage flexwatt (3 inch 6watt is great stuff). It gives you redundancy for failures and also is a great value.

In a perfect world I'd suggest picking up a herpstat ND or pro and a ranco or johnson as a backup.

As for heattape you can use the same size for all racks and tubsizes assuming you don't go over the max wattage for thermostat/rheostat. I would just suggest using multiple rows of the flexwatt for the larger tubs.

Hope that helps :)

I use Helix here, no problems at all with any of them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cuda

Helix. Love it.

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I spoke too soon. Fuse blew tonight.

Here is the sucky part. It blew at 9:03 ... Radio Shack and ACE Hardware both close at 9:00. Wal-Mart doesn't have it.

Can God hate me more? I am using a fuse in it that it was not built to use .. but it will have to do until morning.

I use Helix's and Herpstat 2's.
I like the Herpstat better because of the alarms that it has that alert me to too low or too high temps :gj: I also like the H2 because it allows me to control two different heat sources.

On the topic of fuses, all the Herpstat models except the original come with resetable fuses. If you do blow one all you have to do is unplug the device for a few minutes let it cool down and plug it back in. I also think you can special request a resetable fuse to be put in the original Herpstat but it lowers the output rating from 500 Watts to 400 Watts.

George

I've used BAH1000 and Herpstat. I prefer proportional thermostats.

However, the BAH-1000 kept accurate temperatures for years for me in a rack. It's a good thermostat for a much lower price than most.

I been running the Helix DBS1000 on all my stuff for three years now including my bator with no problems.

I am using a helix. I love it it is great!

i have 2 BAH 1000's i got from bigapple pets

I am currently using two herptats. When i first started out tho, I used the Alife. I like the herpstats MUCH better!! The Alife worked "ok".

$20 zoo med rheostat. if that's not the right name, don't flame me...i'm a rookie.;)