how do you use a t-stat for multiple tubs?

[Libitina]

Hi, I was wondering how do you use a thermostat for multiple cages or for two UTHs on both sides of the cage (for hot/cold sides)? I thought they only had one probe...
Also, how does a dimmer work for heating??? Thanks

[Mochelem]

Some tstats have 2 probes, but to use one that has one probe you will need identical setups you will attach the probe to the heater on one of the enclosures. If the other enclosures are identical then they should stay within about 1 degree of the enclosure that the probe is set up on. If you are trying to control the cool side as well you will either need a second thermostat or one with multiple probes.

A dimmer works by limiting the amount of electricity goes to the heater, if your room with the enclosures in it stays the same tempurature all the time then a dimmer will work well, but any fluctuation more than 4 degrees is not good...

[dr del]

Hi,

Did you mean having the same t-stat controlling the hot end and then (through a dimmer) the cold end as well?

Because that is possible but needs a bit of fiddling to get set up right at first.


dr del

[Jyson]

I use a helix thermostat and heat tape.

[Argentra]

If you mean having one stat controlling the hot AND cool sides, then you'd need a Herpstat II or Pro which can control two and four different temps.

If you're talking about one stat controlling the same side on multiple tubs, it's not that hard. Make sure all the tubs are in the same general location, such as in a rack, then place the probe for the stat on the heat source of the tub near the top, but not ON the top. That way, you get a fairly small variation between tubs. You will always get variation, tho, so don't expect every tub to be spot on the same temp.

[kc261]

Hi, I was wondering how do you use a thermostat for multiple cages or for two UTHs on both sides of the cage (for hot/cold sides)? I thought they only had one probe...
Also, how does a dimmer work for heating??? Thanks

A few possibilities here:

1) - a few t-stats do have more than 1 probe. Those have been mentioned.

2) - it is not hard to use 1 t-stat for multiple enclosures as long as the enclosures and the heat sources are identical, plus they have to be in an area where the temps outside the enclosures will be close to identical. If you have them all in the same room, but one is closer to the A/C vent, that isn't going to work so well.

3) - you can use a single t-stat to control both hot & cold side in the same enclosure. You need to have a dimmer inbetween the cold side heat source and the t-stat. So from the wall, you will have t-stat, with 2 cords plugged in to it. 1 of those cords goes to the first heat source. The 2nd cord goes to a dimmer switch, then the second heat source. Put the t-stat probe on the hot side, then adjust the dimmer switch as necessary to get the proper temps. You might need to switch which side goes through the dimmer. This will not work with a proportional t-stat, only an on/off t-stat.

To answer your other question, a dimmer is more technically called a rheostat. This is something that controls how much electricity flows through it. When hooked up to a light, it can make the light brighter or dimmer. When hooked up to something that provides heat, it can make it hotter or not quite so hot.