Using a Dimmer with heat tape

[cletus]

When using a dimmer with heat tape, do you still use a thermostat? Are you plugging the dimmer into the thermostat? The Habistat in this vid appears to be nothing more than a fancy dimmer with a probe. It looks like he is just adjusting the temp based on thermometer readings. Is a light dimmer just a cheaper version this this without the probe? Am I wrong on this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ20vUFka8s

Can a setup like in this video be plugged into a thermostat?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0BENXGyvgk

[piedlover79]

I use the dimmer as a 'safety switch' in case the thermostat fails to keep full power from flowing through the heat tape.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

The issue with a dimmer if used instead of a t-stat is that every time the ambient temp will fluctuate every time you will have to adjust the dimmer, a thermostat does that for you whether you are there or not.

I like using dimmer as temporary measure (which in my case mean animals that are in QT)

As far as using dimmer and t-stat I prefer using a t-stat and a back up t-stat.

[cletus]

I use the dimmer as a 'safety switch' in case the thermostat fails to keep full power from flowing through the heat tape.

Do you have the dimmer connected to the thermostat?

[piedlover79]

I have the dimmer hooked into the thermostat and the heat tape connected to the dimmer. Although Deb is right, a t-stat hooked into a t-stat is a superior set up.

[cletus]

I have the dimmer hooked into the thermostat and the heat tape connected to the dimmer. Although Deb is right, a t-stat hooked into a t-stat is a superior set up.

Sweet! That's exactly what I was curious about. I really like the idea of being able to zero in temps with the dimmer and then regulate them with the thermostat. I'm going to rig up a dimmer tomorrow. A dual thermostat set up isn't within my budget at the moment but when I build my rack that's what I plan on doing. Thanks so much for the info!

[piedlover79]

I don't use the dimmer to 'zero in' the temp, that's the thermostat's job, the dimmer is just there to make sure that a fire starting amount of power doesn't flow through the cord unchecked.

[cletus]

I don't use the dimmer to 'zero in' the temp, that's the thermostat's job, the dimmer is just there to make sure that a fire starting amount of power doesn't flow through the cord unchecked.

mmm I must be misunderstanding the reason for a dimmer. Do you mean that the dimmer regulates the voltage going into the heat tape so it never gets hotter than the temp you set in the thermostat? In the event of a surge in voltage when getting up to temp? I thought the dimmer just lets you fine tune the voltage going to the heat tape. Kind of like what it does to a light bulb but instead of light, its temp.