Lamp dimmer use

I've been reading through posts regarding some folks using a lamp dimmer to control their UTH devices and have a quick question. Do you basically just plug the UTH into the dimmer and the dimmer plugs into your power strip, wall outlet, etc... That simple right? The dimmer then controls how much power the UTH gets and of course how much heat is given off. Sometimes I just have to think out loud. :D Any lamp dimmers better than others???

Home Depot sells a lutron lamp dimmer that plugs into wall, then plug uth into it it has a slider control ond indicator light for about $10.00

Yes you can find some already wired that you jus plug http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...-WH&lpage=none

Just keep in mind if the temps of your room are not stable and fluctuate a lot, you will need to constantly adjust the device.

So depending on the situation a thermostat my be a better choice.

Thanks for the information guys, we have a Home Depot right around the corner. Also, the room temps are pretty stable and I have a temp gun so I don't have a problem giving the dimmer a try. I just don't want to spend the money on the repti temp rheostat (I think it's called) and have it not work for me......

I use the $10 dollar one from Lowes and am quite happy. My apt temp does not fluctuate daily. florida is great for regulating temps. I read in a guide somewhere that you should find the best temp and mark that spot on the slider. I did that and it really makes it easy to adjust if i need to. The only thing that i found is that since the slider range is only about 2 1/2 inches, a minimal move can really swing the temps so get used to it before you put a snake on top.

i say go for it. it's a great budget alternative.

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Originally Posted by DMTWI

Thanks for the information guys, we have a Home Depot right around the corner. Also, the room temps are pretty stable and I have a temp gun so I don't have a problem giving the dimmer a try. I just don't want to spend the money on the repti temp rheostat (I think it's called) and have it not work for me......

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Actually, if you keep stable room temps, the Reptitemp 500R works just fine. I have had mine running for about 15 months now with NO problems at all...

Tried the Dimmer....

For me it did not give me enough control. Slightest movement on the dial makes DRASTIC temp changes!

Go to a hardware store and buy an incandescent light dimmer. You wire it yourself but they are around the $5 mark.
Get the knob type, it has a much greater range.
Then all you need is a short extension cord and some marrettes and you have yourself a rheostat.
-Steven

A dimmer is an alternative but not the best choice at all, I control all my heat sources with a thermostat. A proportional thermostat is the best way to control heat year round.

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Originally Posted by Inknsteel

Actually, if you keep stable room temps, the Reptitemp 500R works just fine. I have had mine running for about 15 months now with NO problems at all...

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The 500R is an actual thermostat though, correct? The Zoo Med rheostat is the dimmer which is cheaper than the 500R, but not as inexpensive as a lamp dimmer. I may still just opt for the 500R if I think it will work for me, otherwise I'll move up the thermostat food chain and spend a little more. Buy once, cry once as they say..... :cool:
Thank for the input!

It's a rheostat unlike a proportional thermostat it will turn on and off when needed, that in fact would be a better choice than a manually controlled dimmer as you aren't going to be there every second of the day to adjust.

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Originally Posted by DMTWI

The 500R is an actual thermostat though, correct? The Zoo Med rheostat is the dimmer which is cheaper than the 500R, but not as inexpensive as a lamp dimmer. I may still just opt for the 500R if I think it will work for me, otherwise I'll move up the thermostat food chain and spend a little more. Buy once, cry once as they say..... :cool:
Thank for the input!

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Ah, yes. I read the original post too quickly and just read Repti Temp and skipped over the rheostat part. I would say that if your room temps are stable, the 500R is a good, low cost option. You can pick one up from reptile supply for $25. http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=75

It's a low cost option that will get you going, and if you decide later on that you wanna go Helix or Herpstat, you can without breaking the bank twice...

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Originally Posted by JKExotics

It's a rheostat unlike a proportional thermostat it will turn on and off when needed, that in fact would be a better choice than a manually controlled dimmer as you aren't going to be there every second of the day to adjust.

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A rheostat is the exact same thing as a dimmer hooked through a cord or plug in lamp dimmer.
A Proportional CAN turn on and off if set to non-proportional mode.
A Repti-Temp is a simple on/off, but a much cheaper model.
The proportional (when used to it's full potential) does not turn on/off to control temps, it cuts the voltage going to the heat source to "dim" the power the source is putting out. This is the best way to go but also the most expensive.
Yes it is better to put out the money to ensure your collection is controlled properly but you can get away with using a dimmer if the room temps are fairly stable.
Afterall people have been doing it for YEARS without proportional thermostats.
-Steven

I also think getting a thermostat isn't entirely necessary. I use the white table-top lamp dimmer switch from Home Depot, which has been mentioned here already. My room temps don't really fluctuate much at all, maybe a 2 degree variance this time of year, and I live in a crappy old house with hand-adjusted radiators. Seriously, how much do you think the temps in your houses fluctuate? Chances are you have a thermostat at your house which keeps the temps fairly constant. I have an Acurite therm/hygro standing on top of the tubs, with the probe inside, so I can see what the temps are every time I walk by.

The dimmer feels touchy at first but really hasn't been in my experience, and the probe in my tub reads the same temp about a degree either way constantly. These snakes experience variation greater than this in their natural environment. These dimmers are great for $10 if you ask me.

v

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DMTWI

The 500R is an actual thermostat though, correct? The Zoo Med rheostat is the dimmer which is cheaper than the 500R, but not as inexpensive as a lamp dimmer. I may still just opt for the 500R if I think it will work for me, otherwise I'll move up the thermostat food chain and spend a little more. Buy once, cry once as they say..... :cool:
Thank for the input!

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I wlouldnt actually call the reptotemp 500R an actual thermostat. It is -much- more of a reterostat (sp?) although it is not labeled as such. If yiou want a thermostat, i recomend just spending the money on a more reliable type of thermostat such as a ranco, johnson , herpstat or helix. They work mnuch better and actually display the temperature. The 500R abslutely fluctuates with room temps.

I use an Ikea dimmer to control my incubator FAN speed, a Reptotemp for my oil heaters, but will ONLY use a proportional for my racks. I sleep well at night -- no cooked snakes. :)