Thermostats

Okay so curious to what everyone's opinions/suggestions are based on the thermostats listed in the poll. This would be used on a rack system with flexwatt. Please give your personal experience with each or whichever one you've picked. Thanks in advanced.

P.S. I'm not purchasing it tomorrow so money will not be an issue. If I need to save up to get a higher priced one, then so be it. I want the best :)

Any of them would do. I have a Herpstat ND, a basic herpstat,a few Ranco's and a Johnson. All but one Ranco were purchased used. I think that a proportional may be justified for an incubator but and on/off works just fine for housing snakes. I have a Repti Temp 500 on a Mohr's corn condo also.

I currently have a Herpstat II and I love it! This little box made temp control easy(after finding the right temps you want). If you want the best I believe Herpstat is the way to go. Also, I have no experience with the others in your poll but I'm sure they would work well too!

Right now I use Helix (Helix Controls DBS1000 Proportional Thermostat (Grounded)), but all three in the poll are excellent. ;)

One cool thing about the Helix I use is that when the power shuts off for like a second, it will still keep its memory on what temp. setting its suppose to be at.

i use the ranco, but i really want to pick up one of those helixes.

This is crazy! I was just about to make a thread JUST like this one lol.

Thanks:gj::P




Mike~

I'm recommending Herpstats, just because you always see what temperature the probe is, the excellent feautures on it, backlit display, and of course Dion's exceptional customer service.

Won't ever take a different stat.

I have used all three, and any one of them would make a great choice:gj:

I know its not an option but i would prefer a johnson control over the ranco. I have 2 reasons for this. The probe on the johnson control is replacable and you can buy longer leads for it if you want to up to 20 feet. The other reason is the ranco's on off is rather loud compared to the johnson control. Thats just my 2 cents.

I think some thermostat are depend on the feature right??



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Thermostat

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Originally Posted by Jyson

Right now I use Helix (Helix Controls DBS1000 Proportional Thermostat (Grounded)), but all three in the poll are excellent. ;)

One cool thing about the Helix I use is that when the power shuts off for like a second, it will still keep its memory on what temp. setting its suppose to be at.

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Do Herpstats not do that?! I see Herpstat proportionals are a lot cheaper than Helixes at beanfarm. I have exclusively used Helixes up until now, but was thinking of switching to Herpstat.

Also, I recommend that everyone should have a backup on/off thermostat as well....these things can and do fail.

JonV

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Originally Posted by MikeG

This is crazy! I was just about to make a thread JUST like this one lol.

Thanks:gj::P




Mike~

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Lol, I've posted this question at a few other forums/sites, but all the info is greatly appreciated. Like I said, it's still a little ways off so gives me time to finally decide.

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Originally Posted by nevohraalnavnoj

Do Herpstats not do that?! I see Herpstat proportionals are a lot cheaper than Helixes at beanfarm. I have exclusively used Helixes up until now, but was thinking of switching to Herpstat.

Also, I recommend that everyone should have a backup on/off thermostat as well....these things can and do fail.

JonV

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What type of on/off thermostat do you recommend as a backup??

Yes, I've also seen the price differences in all three and so many people use different ones, it's hard to choose :confused:

Thanks all for your suggestions and also your experiences, it is all greatly appreciated.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nevohraalnavnoj

Do Herpstats not do that?! I see Herpstat proportionals are a lot cheaper than Helixes at beanfarm. I have exclusively used Helixes up until now, but was thinking of switching to Herpstat.

Also, I recommend that everyone should have a backup on/off thermostat as well....these things can and do fail.

JonV

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They do do that. I've lost power a few times and every single setting was still intact.

Ive got a herpstat, I like it very much. I'd reccommend it.

Herpstat

Use it on the racks and the bator.

I have heard that Helixes used to be very good, but after a while they became more focused on quantity than qualities; I even read about a store manager who got several broken Helixes in aweek after a while and when they just came out he never had any come in.

Conclusion, Herpstat is probably the best way to go these days.

Herpstat Pro is my weapon of choice

Can't go wrong with with Spyder Robotics. I've had Helix in the past, and the Herpstat's just won me over.

When I need to, I use Ranco's as backups. I also use a double Ranco on my oil filled heater.

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Originally Posted by nevohraalnavnoj

Do Herpstats not do that?!

JonV

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Herpstats return to the last settings once power is returned. I love them!!!

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Originally Posted by southernboagurl

What type of on/off thermostat do you recommend as a backup??

Yes, I've also seen the price differences in all three and so many people use different ones, it's hard to choose :confused:

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Johnson's controls

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Originally Posted by southernboagurl

What type of on/off thermostat do you recommend as a backup??

Yes, I've also seen the price differences in all three and so many people use different ones, it's hard to choose :confused:

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I use Rancos and Johnsons, pre-wired, for my backups. Both function very similarly and can be found at www.reptilebasics.com

They are definitely worth it for peace of mind: fire protection and protecting your beloved animals.

JonV

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Originally Posted by DutchHerp

They do do that. I've lost power a few times and every single setting was still intact.

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Great! One would think they would have to, since their major competitor's model does....not to mention, this is a pretty common occurrence. I may try out a herpstat for my next proportional.

JonV

I have Helix and Ranco's....love em both.

I have had to call Helix though once, for an issue I had.

The only issue that I have had with a Herpstat is that if you blow the fuse, it is a pain to have it replaced. You have to send it in to them to have them replace it, because it is soldered in. Some of the Herpstat models have resettable fuses, so you never have this issue. I use the Herpstat Pro, which has this feature, and I love it.

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Originally Posted by Wh00h0069

The only issue that I have had with a Herpstat is that if you blow the fuse, it is a pain to have it replaced. You have to send it in to them to have them replace it, because it is soldered in. Some of the Herpstat models have resettable fuses, so you never have this issue. I use the Herpstat Pro, which has this feature, and I love it.

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I have my cheap zoo-med 500r plugged into a good surge protector for just this reason. In the event of a surge the particular SP I have will commit seppuku if it can't handle the extra power. This saves my tstat(and the TV) and even if you have a tstat with a built in fuse I'd much rather lose a $25 APC surge protector then risk a $100+ stat(Or even have to lose it for a few weeks for shipping/repairs).

With that said I hate having to always adjust my on/off stat although it works well. My next tstat will be a Herpstat from all the good things I've heard.

Wow, I can definetely feel a vibe that Herpstat is the way to go lol!!

Thanks for all your responses. The poll is still going til the 17th though so I'll wait to see what other people say. I'm most likely going with the Herpstat for the rack system that I'll have.

I've used Helix and Herpstats, and I like the Herpstats way better. If you are worried about a power surge blowing the fuse, you can ask Dion to make you one with a resettable fuse. This takes it down from 500w max to 400w max, but 400w is plenty for most uses. I have him use the resettable fuses for all of the Herpstats I use in my incubators.

Compared to Helix, Herpstats have more features, are easier to use, A+ customer service, fast delivery and have cheaper price tags.

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Originally Posted by SPJ

Herpstat

Use it on the racks and the bator.

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x2:D:D