Helix/Herpstat vs Ranco/Johnson

[Argentra]

That too, Starmom. Best to spread things out a bit and avoid the 'all in one basket' situation. Which is why once I can get that Herpstat II I won't be getting rid of my Johnson or Ranco. The II controls the BP hot and cool sides, the Johnson is the backup on the hot side, and the Ranco handles my corns.

[ThyTempest]

Allright, so it sounds like I need to decide between 2 Johnsons/Ranco's or a Herpstat II.

Herpstat Pro's
Proportional control and useful extra's
Herpstat Cons
Failure means loss of control for entire enclosure
Cost

Johnson/Ranco Pro's
Cost
Only 1/2 of enclosure uncontrolled if a unit fails
Dont have to worry about wattage difference
Johnson/Ranco Con's
on/off Control

[Argentra]

on/off style isn't really that bad...you just have to be aware of temp changes that might mean a resetting of the stat temp. And that isn't hard when you glance at temps whenever you pass the enclosures. The only other thing you'd have to put up with would be the constant clicking.

But, I would recommend getting a Herpstat II and a Johnson. That way, you can have a backup stat for the hot side (more vital that that doesn't go haywire) and don't have to totally rely on one stat for everything. But then, I may not know what I'm talking about cause I'm wiped out after finishing my last final.

[ThyTempest]

I really cant afford to buy a herpstat II and a johnson. I realize that the warm side is more important that the cool side, so if worst comes to worst, I can buy a Johnson and put the dimmer on the cool side (using the uth) (flexwatt on the warm w/ tstat)

[ndizzleg]

The Herpstat Pro can handle 4 seperate devices. And if i'm not mistaken it has a total combined wattage that it can handle as a unit. So you can have 4 different wattage devices, but all those devices cant exceed the max wattage that the Herpstat Pro is set to.

[Somed00d]

so if worst comes to worst, I can buy a Johnson and put the dimmer on the cool side (using the uth) (flexwatt on the warm w/ tstat)

Based on your wording It sounds like you want to run the cool side off just a dimmer and the hot side off a thermostat. What I would do personally if I were in your shoes is use the one thermostat for both sides but put the dimmer in the cool side. Basically the johnson turns both hot and cool sides on and off at the same time but because you have the dimmer on the cool side it dosn't get as hot.. It is safer than just relying on the dimmer alone.

I hope that made some sense..

Richard

[ThyTempest]

Based on your wording It sounds like you want to run the cool side off just a dimmer and the hot side off a thermostat. What I would do personally if I were in your shoes is use the one thermostat for both sides but put the dimmer in the cool side. Basically the johnson turns both hot and cool sides on and off at the same time but because you have the dimmer on the cool side it dosn't get as hot.. It is safer than just relying on the dimmer alone.

I hope that made some sense..

Richard

I dont even know how this would work. Johnson only controls one device and only has 1 probe. How would I control two different temps on two different devices with a tstat that only controls 1?

[Argentra]

Johnson can only control one temp setting regardless of devices plugged into it. Herpstat II is the one that could control hot and cool sides with separate settings.

[Somed00d]

I dont even know how this would work. Johnson only controls one device and only has 1 probe. How would I control two different temps on two different devices with a tstat that only controls 1?

ok think of it this way.. you plug hot and cold side into the johnson and it will keep both sides the same temp. assuming the same size heaters. now, if you add the dimmer to the cool side and turn it down then the cool side will be getting less juice than the hot side and keep it cooler..

Obviously this is not the best way to do it but if money is an issue I would rather see you do it this way than have the cool side on a dimmer that could fail/be bumped and turn everything into an oven, this way if the dimmer fails or gets bumped it will not get hotter than the hot side.

I have done it before and it does work. However a herpstat II is the best option.

[Argentra]

Umm... I don't think it works that way. I see what you mean, but realize that the Johnson would still be turning it on and off based on the probe readings under the Hot side. Even if it's not getting 'as much juice', even if the dimmer could keep the temps low enough, it would still be dangerous and likely wouldn't give the proper gradient.

Best thing to do, then, would be for you to get two Johnson stats.