Corny Noob
Proud Momma
I haven't quite figured it out yet...sorry, could someone please explain what the difference is, and why some people use one and not the other?
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Difference between a thermostat and a rheostat?
- Thread starter Corny Noob
- Start date
GregF
New member
A rheostat allows you to adjust the voltage going to the heating pad, changing its temperature. The voltage going to the pad won't change unless you adjust the rheostat manually (turn the knob). A thermostat includes probe that senses temperature and cycles the voltage on and off automatically, to keep the probe at a particular temperature. Most people recommend using a thermostat because it's more accurate and easier to use. Once you have it dialed in, it will hold the heating pad at a steady temperature, even when the room temperature changes.
I'm taking this from WIKIPEDIA 
A thermostat is a device for regulating the temperature of a system so that the system's temperature is maintained near a desired setpoint temperature. The thermostat does this by controlling the flow of heat energy into or out of the system. That is, the thermostat switches heating or cooling devices on or off as needed to maintain the correct temperature.
A rheostat is essentially a potentiometer, but is usually much larger, designed to handle much higher voltage and current.
A potentiometer is a variable resistor that can be used as a voltage divider.
CMIIW :wavey:
--Bram--
A thermostat is a device for regulating the temperature of a system so that the system's temperature is maintained near a desired setpoint temperature. The thermostat does this by controlling the flow of heat energy into or out of the system. That is, the thermostat switches heating or cooling devices on or off as needed to maintain the correct temperature.
A rheostat is essentially a potentiometer, but is usually much larger, designed to handle much higher voltage and current.
A potentiometer is a variable resistor that can be used as a voltage divider.
CMIIW :wavey:
--Bram--
ssmith_1187
In the land of Cheeeeeese
A thermostat has its own temperature probe whereby when you set the thermostat temperature to say 86 degrees it will supply power, not supply power to the heating device to maintain the temperature at 86 degrees +/-
A rheostat will supply power to the heating device at a constant rate. So if you set the rheostat at say 86 degrees (as measured by an independent thermometer probe) you need to take into account the ambient air temperature of the room your enclosure is in. If the temperature of the room drops at night the temperature of your enclosure will also drop since there is now way for the rheostat to increase power to the heating device to maintain an 86 degree temperature.
Think of a thermostat as an “intelligent” power supply whereas a rheostat is a “dummy” power supply for a heating device.
Rheostats are dirt cheap ($10-$20), thermostats can be expensive depending upon the manufacturer and model you choose.
Please let me know if this is not clear and I’ll try to further explain it.
Regards,
Steve
A rheostat will supply power to the heating device at a constant rate. So if you set the rheostat at say 86 degrees (as measured by an independent thermometer probe) you need to take into account the ambient air temperature of the room your enclosure is in. If the temperature of the room drops at night the temperature of your enclosure will also drop since there is now way for the rheostat to increase power to the heating device to maintain an 86 degree temperature.
Think of a thermostat as an “intelligent” power supply whereas a rheostat is a “dummy” power supply for a heating device.
Rheostats are dirt cheap ($10-$20), thermostats can be expensive depending upon the manufacturer and model you choose.
Please let me know if this is not clear and I’ll try to further explain it.
Regards,
Steve
Corny Noob
Proud Momma
Thanks guys, I'll be ordering the reptitemp 500r along with the probe digital thermometer they have there, will be a total of $30 w/shipping.
Seems like a good deal yes?
Seems like a good deal yes?
ssmith_1187
In the land of Cheeeeeese
Corny,
It might take you a couple of days to get it dialed in just right, but I think you're off to a good start.
Prior to my current thermostat, I used a Big Apple Herp BAH-1000 thermostat, very similar to the Zoo Med Repti-Temp 500R, and it worked just fine.
Let us know if you have any other questions.
Regards,
Steve
It might take you a couple of days to get it dialed in just right, but I think you're off to a good start.
Prior to my current thermostat, I used a Big Apple Herp BAH-1000 thermostat, very similar to the Zoo Med Repti-Temp 500R, and it worked just fine.
Let us know if you have any other questions.
Regards,
Steve
Blue Apple Herps
aka Matthew, PhD
I used the 500R for a couple of years just fine. My temps would always fluctuate a little (+/- 2º), but this is probably because it's an on/off t-stat and not proportional. But so long as you stay in the 80-85 range you'll be fine.
Now that my collection is larger and I have a lot of $$ invested in my snakes, I bit the bullet and got a Herpstat. Night and day from the 500R, I can't recommend it enough. While the 500R did work, in hindsight I wish I would have gotten the Herpstat from day one.
Corny Noob
Proud Momma
...so...no one else noticed that this is a topic of mine from...april?
Blue Apple Herps
aka Matthew, PhD
Haha!! Ooops. I feel dumb...:bang:
Corny Noob
Proud Momma
Give me credit I've soaked up a lot of knowledge since then
ratsncorns
Bird Nerd
I'm scared to read old posts that I made when I first joined too. Kinda sucks to have them pop up though, just glad its not mine!
MerlinsPop
New member
To answer your question Bataco... I bought one of those and connected a repti-therm UTH to it, and even dialed down as low as it would go, it was still WAAAY too hot. Retired it to controlling a lamp.