Input request: Am thinking to add a thermostat, but how does it work???

[ace_singapore]

Does a thermostat simply control the heating device, say a heat tape, by turning it on when it's less than the set temp, and off when the set temp is hit and/or over? Or does it control the amount of electricity current flow to the heat tape so the heat tape works from its min to max power? Your inputs are greatly appreciated.

[Inknsteel]

There are both actually. There are on/off thermostats and there are proportional ones. Do you have a specific model in mind?

The proportional thermostats are going to be a lot better in terms of keeping a steady temperature whereas the on/off models will allow temps to fluctuate a few degrees before turning off or on...

[sarahlovesmiike]

If you were to buy a proportional thermostat, like a herpstat or helix, then it is kept at a steady temperature by regulating the electricity output. If you buy one like a zilla 1000 or something similar it shuts off when it reaches the desired temps and turns on when it gets too low.

[ace_singapore]

Thanks, then I think a proportional one is a better/safer bet, guess it will be either a Helix or Herpstat. Which one and model y'all got?

[saber2th]

I have a Herpstat II and love it. It controls my two racks at different temps. I will be looking to get another Herpstat for a incubator I'm working on.

[ace_singapore]

I have a Herpstat II and love it. It controls my two racks at different temps. I will be looking to get another Herpstat for a incubator I'm working on.

Thanks for sharing. But do you mean one unit can do 2 differenct temp settings?

[Cody John Steele]

Thanks for sharing. But do you mean one unit can do 2 differenct temp settings?

I'm not him...but I'm pretty sure he just has all his flexwatt from both racks tied into the same thermostat.

[Vypyrz]

Thanks for sharing. But do you mean one unit can do 2 differenct temp settings?

Yes. The Herpstat II has two thermostats built in that operate independently of each other...