!!!Warning to those with cheap thermostats!!!

[SlitherinSisters]

I was warned, but didn't have a whole lot of money to spend one of those nice Helix stats. So I did a little researching and found an RZilla (I'm not sure exactly how they spell it). They said it was a good one for the price blah blah blah....

Anyhow, jpman78 on here, spoke with me about it and even put up a thread about adding a dimmer to the thermostats, even if it's a good one for those just in case moments. He told me when a thermostat breaks it goes wide open, when a dimmer breaks it shuts off. So I heeded his warning and bought a dimmer for $10, set it up so it wouldn't let my flex watt go over 100......

I check on the snakes this morning before class, pull out my pastel and he's pretty cold (I heat the snake room to 70). I think what the heck?! I pull look at my RZilla and it's a bit melted THANK GOD for the dimmer!!!!! I'm assuming it got tripped because of the thermostat going hay wire and completely shut off. Right now I'm running with just the dimmer and the temps are stable until I get myself a nice thermostat. (my snake room is in the basement). By the way I only had the RZilla for about 6 months.

PLEASE get a dimmer especially if you're taking the economical route!!!! It's only $10 and it will save you a heck of a lot more money than that!!!


I'll find jpman78's thread later, I have to go to class!!!!

[dsmalex97]

yeah i have a cheap thermostat as well...really weird you posted this cuz when i woke up I did my morning check, and for some reason my thermostat(reptile esu) is dropping soo low before turning back on. Time for a new one i guess. Helix is really the only way to go im seing when it comes to thermostats. Yay more money to spend!!

[snakedork]

I would go with a herpstat before i would get a helix. I like the herpstat options and several people i know say that they are going to make the switch from helix to herpstat after trying one. I have a herpstat pro it has alot of nice features. I know for a single animal or a few animals its not exactly well priced but it is rather nice.

[rmune0750]

I didn't have much money at all when I got my BP but I had enough for a Ranco...a great thermostat that isn't super expensive...never had a problem with it

[snakedork]

I didn't have much money at all when I got my BP but I had enough for a Ranco...a great thermostat that isn't super expensive...never had a problem with it

ranco and johnson controls both work very well. Ten times easier to dial in aswell. I haven't had any issue with either my ranco or johnson controls.

[Argentra]

I have a wide array of thermostats - 1 Herpstat, 2 Johnson, 2 Ranco, and 4 ZooMed ReptiTemp.

The really cheap stats, like the RZilla and such, are not worth the money. However, the ZooMed stats I have are all working great and haven't given me a lick of trouble in the 1.5 years I've had them going.

As for the high end stats, Herpstat is certainly better to get than Helix.. but I actually prefer my Johnson stats over even the Herpstat. I've had to set my Herpstat at 106 to keep 92 in my rack, but the Johnson keeps 82 set at 85. Strange...

[Enser54]

I had a temp. thermostat on, and it failed and melted a tub! New one should be here in a couple days.

[Malice]

great info considering I just installed my RZilla thermostats yesterday

[jsmorphs2]

What are the model numbers of the Johnson and Ranco thermostats?

I need to invest in a thermostat for my baby ball python rack. Right now I use a Herpstat ND, an ESU Reptile, and a Big Apple pet supply thermostat. The Big Apple one makes me nervous and I want to replace that too.

[SlitherinSisters]

Thanks everyone for the great advice! I'll have to check into all of those thermostats!!!