Lamp dimmer use

[JKExotics]

It's a rheostat unlike a proportional thermostat it will turn on and off when needed, that in fact would be a better choice than a manually controlled dimmer as you aren't going to be there every second of the day to adjust.

[Inknsteel]

The 500R is an actual thermostat though, correct? The Zoo Med rheostat is the dimmer which is cheaper than the 500R, but not as inexpensive as a lamp dimmer. I may still just opt for the 500R if I think it will work for me, otherwise I'll move up the thermostat food chain and spend a little more. Buy once, cry once as they say.....
Thank for the input!

Ah, yes. I read the original post too quickly and just read Repti Temp and skipped over the rheostat part. I would say that if your room temps are stable, the 500R is a good, low cost option. You can pick one up from reptile supply for $25. http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=75

It's a low cost option that will get you going, and if you decide later on that you wanna go Helix or Herpstat, you can without breaking the bank twice...

[stevenkeogh]

It's a rheostat unlike a proportional thermostat it will turn on and off when needed, that in fact would be a better choice than a manually controlled dimmer as you aren't going to be there every second of the day to adjust.

A rheostat is the exact same thing as a dimmer hooked through a cord or plug in lamp dimmer.
A Proportional CAN turn on and off if set to non-proportional mode.
A Repti-Temp is a simple on/off, but a much cheaper model.
The proportional (when used to it's full potential) does not turn on/off to control temps, it cuts the voltage going to the heat source to "dim" the power the source is putting out. This is the best way to go but also the most expensive.
Yes it is better to put out the money to ensure your collection is controlled properly but you can get away with using a dimmer if the room temps are fairly stable.
Afterall people have been doing it for YEARS without proportional thermostats.
-Steven

[Vacado]

I also think getting a thermostat isn't entirely necessary. I use the white table-top lamp dimmer switch from Home Depot, which has been mentioned here already. My room temps don't really fluctuate much at all, maybe a 2 degree variance this time of year, and I live in a crappy old house with hand-adjusted radiators. Seriously, how much do you think the temps in your houses fluctuate? Chances are you have a thermostat at your house which keeps the temps fairly constant. I have an Acurite therm/hygro standing on top of the tubs, with the probe inside, so I can see what the temps are every time I walk by.

The dimmer feels touchy at first but really hasn't been in my experience, and the probe in my tub reads the same temp about a degree either way constantly. These snakes experience variation greater than this in their natural environment. These dimmers are great for $10 if you ask me.

v

[cinderbird]

The 500R is an actual thermostat though, correct? The Zoo Med rheostat is the dimmer which is cheaper than the 500R, but not as inexpensive as a lamp dimmer. I may still just opt for the 500R if I think it will work for me, otherwise I'll move up the thermostat food chain and spend a little more. Buy once, cry once as they say.....
Thank for the input!

I wlouldnt actually call the reptotemp 500R an actual thermostat. It is -much- more of a reterostat (sp?) although it is not labeled as such. If yiou want a thermostat, i recomend just spending the money on a more reliable type of thermostat such as a ranco, johnson , herpstat or helix. They work mnuch better and actually display the temperature. The 500R abslutely fluctuates with room temps.

[Bill Buchman]

I use an Ikea dimmer to control my incubator FAN speed, a Reptotemp for my oil heaters, but will ONLY use a proportional for my racks. I sleep well at night -- no cooked snakes.