Ranco heaters - good or bad?

[Mindibun]

I just read this post from Lord_Jackal in another thread (Hope it's ok to quote):

"...The Ranco is and on/off thermostat. Which means you set a desired temp (say 90 degrees) then you set an offset (say 3 degrees)...then the Ranco will heat up to 90 degrees and shut off completely...it will then allow the flex to cool down 3 degrees to 87 before turning back on to heat back to 90. They work well but made an audible "click" when they turn on/off (annoying if you sleep in the same room)...and are very ineffecient (it is all power or no power). Ranco are industrial thermostats designed for heating/cooling units this is why they have a higher output wattage."

And it got me thinking; I was actually just about to order the Ranco online. I'd obviously rather have the more expensive thermostats that a lot of other people have, but dont quite have the funds for one. However, seeing as I'm not breeding, and just want something to keep my pet from getting fried, is the Ranco an acceptable choice?

I was looking at this model: http://www.reptilebasics.com/store/p...php?imageid=70
from reptilebasics.

I know there have been millions of posts asking questions about thermostats, but I've never heard HOW they work explained before. I just want to make sure I'm getting something that's going to do what I want it to do. I'll be hooking it up to 1 foot of 11" flexwatt heat tape, which will simply be belly heat for 1 juvenile ball python in a tub.

Please and thank you on answers and info.

[Fearless]

Thats what i have been using for the last month and like it very well, sure the helix are great too but also couldn't verify spending that much just yet. Rich there is really good about answering all your "dumb" questions or at least he was with mine, and that meant a lot and would never hesitate to order from him again.

[rabernet]

Rancos, Johnsons are the two top of the line on/off thermostats and are perfectly fine. I have two.


Helix and Herpstat are the two top of the line proportional thermostats and many people prefer them for racks and incubators. I have one.

Both brands work well for me and do what I need them to do - which is to regulate my temperatures and protect my animals.

Hope this helps!

By the way, be sure you order the wired Ranco!

[lord jackel]

Nice Quote


I use Ranco on my Carpet python's tank to run the RHP (and before that I used it on my BP rack). I have never had any issues and highly recommend them where on/off thermostats will work. Like I said in my quote the ONLY downsides are an audible "click" when it turns on/off (which can be quiet often depending on your room temp) and in theory more power consumption...but it is likely with only running one unit you would never be able to tell a difference in your electric bill.

Like Robin said...get the pre-wired unit and pre-wired flex and all you have to do is plug it in...nothing to wire up.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I would say it definitely depends on your need.

If you keep couple of BP but do not plan to breed Ranco will work for you.

Now if you plan on breeding you will want less fluctuations in your temps and then Herpstat or Helix will be for you, now for incubators the only choices are proportional T-Stat like Helix or Herpstat because your temps need to be constant at all time.

I have both Herpstat and Ranco, I use my Ranco to back-up my herpstat.

[Subzero]

Ranco's are workhorses, I use them with AP racks which use heat cable, Just set the temp differential to 1 degree. Ive monitored the heat cable as the ranco kick on and off, and there is about a 3 degree differential at the heat cable itself, but when monitoring the temps in the tub it is less than one degree.

Example I set the ranco to 98 degrees, and the hot side in the tub is 92.5-93.0

and thats with my house being 73-74. I will be getting a herpstat pro by next season for incubation.