New BP owner :P, thermostat question.

[Ripsaw642]

Just got my first ball python, currently using a dimmer to control a small piece of heat tape for him. I was wondering if anyone has any experience using the stc-1000 temperature controller. I was going to order another hydrofarm thermostat, but they're out of stock, and this looks like a good option at a similar price. Before anyone tells me to get a herpstat, that is in the plans, and the hydrofarm/ stc-100 will serve as backups. However, until i can afford a $250 Herpstat 2, i need something for the immediate future. Thanks!


http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B008...A1NGGED121BJA2

[Boanerges]

Ive never used one of those before so I can't help much with how it works. It looks like you have to wire it up yourself though. It seems one persn said it was easy to wire up and another said it was hard - lol. If your good wth wiring things up then that part would be a non issue for you.

[Mr. Misha]

So what's the question? Did you try looking for a hydrofarm from different sellers?

In the future, when you're looking for a Herpstats, see if you can find a used one. I bought my Herp. 4 from someone on this forum for $250 shipped and it works great.

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[Ripsaw642]

So what's the question? Did you try looking for a hydrofarm from different sellers?

In the future, when you're looking for a Herpstats, see if you can find a used one. I bought my Herp. 4 from someone on this forum for $250 shipped and it works great.

Sent using Tapatalk

Just got my first ball python, currently using a dimmer to control a small piece of heat tape for him. I was wondering if anyone has any experience using the stc-1000 temperature controller. I was going to order another hydrofarm thermostat, but they're out of stock, and this looks like a good option at a similar price. Before anyone tells me to get a herpstat, that is in the plans, and the hydrofarm/ stc-100 will serve as backups. However, until i can afford a $250 Herpstat 2, i need something for the immediate future. Thanks!

I guess I should have phrased that in a question? I'm also in Canada, so kind of limited to what amazon.ca stocks. The other 2 sellers are twice the price. I can figure out the wiring part to this temperature controller, I've worked with electrical enough, it's sort of common sense to me. It also looks like it may make a good incubator thermostat, as it is a heating and cooling t-stat. So you could wire up a fan, and a heating device. Thoughts?

[Boanerges]

Iwould't personally risk it with an incubator unless you hadno choice. Just my opinion.

[Wheatley]

I use an STC-1000 for our heat tape...

[Ripsaw642]

I use an STC-1000 for our heat tape...

How long have you had it running for? Is it reasonably accurate?
I was also wondering if anyone reading this uses a dimmer in-line with their heat tape with on/off thermostats? This is ok, right? I thought it may be a good idea......

[Ripsaw642]

I went ahead and ordered one. After reading some instructions i found online for a keezer cooler, the basic install went smoothly. It's up, and running, and seems to be working fine. I'm going to put a dimmer in the circuit as well, so the heat tape will heat up gradually and never get too hot. Will post more pics, or maybe a build log when I'm done. It's set at 32.7 (with a 2c differential,which is configurable from .5 to 10), and has the temp inside at 29, so going to bump it 1.5c, and check again in the morning.

[Wheatley]

How long have you had it running for? Is it reasonably accurate?
I was also wondering if anyone reading this uses a dimmer in-line with their heat tape with on/off thermostats? This is ok, right? I thought it may be a good idea......

gah sorry for not replying..
I've used it for about a month now, seems to work pretty good. I am kind of scared to touch the heat tape, how our rack is set up.. But I think it's pretty accurate.

[Ripsaw642]

Update, I've got the warm side temp at 91f , cool side/ambient at 80, now I've got a new bin to move him into.
Hopefully it's not too big for him, he's 106g right now. Any-ways.....I'll have to be messing around with thermostat again, so the question is- Should i hook up a dimmer to my temp controller to give more precise control over temperatures? Has anyone ever done this? Heat Tape----->Dimmer----->Thermostat all in the same circuit. I'm asking because i can put his heat tape on a lamp dimmer while i wire the wall dimmer into my temperature controller, see pic above. If anyone can chime in on this subject, would be greatly appreciated. BTW, The STC-1000 is working just as well as the hydrofarm, but has more fine tuning/adjustments. Like temp differential between .5c and 10c. I think it's the better option than hydrofarm, for those who can wire things themselves.