Quote Originally Posted by Warren_Booth View Post
I use Vivarium electronics V200 or 300s on all of my racks/cages. I love these and have yet to have a problem. I do however back them up with a Ranco ETC-111000-000. This is set before the VE stat (therefore closer to the power outlet, and is set around 5 degrees high than the VEs. So if I am running a VE at 90oF< it is set to 95oF. Therefore, if the first fails, the second catches it, and visa-versa. Its better to shut down than fry.

Most people are happy to spend hundreds, or even thousands on snakes, but scrimp on the things that actually keep[ them alive. I'm sorry you had this happen. Be lucky that the heat tape did not cause the tubs to melt and ignite. That has been reported more times that I can recall, and the results are catastrophic (entire houses burning down).

Warren
How do you wire/plug these combinations up?

I know you can purchase two Rancos that are wired up with one another and then you plug the heat source into the first one. The second one is set at a higher temp.
But they are wired up together, not plugged into one another (the 2 thermostats)

So..if I just buy a second thermostat, what do I plug into where to use it as a back up?

Lets say, my heat tape has one power plug. I plug that into the thermostat and the thermostat into the outlet. (like everyone does).

So what do I plug into the backup thermostat? If my heat source only has one plug ?? How does the second thermostat control the heat source ?

Or do you plug in the first thermostat into the second and the second into the outlet ???