Quote Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant View Post
A dimmer cannot respond to temperature change. A thermostat can. Why are you trying to cut the thermostat out of the equation? Let it do its job. What happens when the temperature in the room drops? If you are using a dimmer the thermostat won't be able to run more to keep the cage at the correct temperature.



I still fail to see a point to what you are describing.
The Idea is to have the dimmer set so it only reaches a desired temperature without engaging the thermostat to turn it off.
The temperature of my house rarely fluctuates, I have good airflow and good heating/cooling system. My house stays 71-72 all year round.

With a dimmer attached, and lowered to 70-80% power, would that not bring down highest running temperature of the THG heat tape?

You understand that if I use a traditional thermostat (on/off only). It is going to be turning the heat tape on and off every half hour or so.
A few months of that and I'd probably burn out my thermostat from clicking on and off 48 times a day.

Why have a thermostat even you ask then? for safety. if it decides to ramp up for no reason or get to hot, it will shut power down.

I'm trying to be clear as possible. If anyone has experience with using Heat tape with a traditional thermostat, any input would be appreciated.