Flexwatt and on/off thermostats

[replover]

Is it really not ok to use Flexwatt with on/off thermostats?

I'd get a proportional but the ones online are not usable in my country's electrical systems and I'd much rather not have so many different voltage adaptors and whatnot seeing that you can only change the voltage but not frequency of electricity. I have two models available to me and they are very good but they are both on/off types.

If I use a dimmer too and set it to the approximate temperature, and use the on/off thermostat just to make sure if switches off if it gets too hot, is that ok?

Also what is the best placement on a rack with two columns and 7 - 9 rows?
I will be placing the tube long side out, and run a strip of 11 inch flexwatt down the back in the middle. So the cages to the left have heat on the right, and vice versa.

 

[bpkid]

I use these dimmers with heat pads, and I guess flexwatt isn't that much different. It works great! I reccomend to anyone with a small herp zoo.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=70717-000000539-TT300NLH-WH

It was 10.93 at my lowes.

 

[cornsnakekid92]

you can use the on/off ones with no problems proportional are really just if you need exact temps

 

[bpkid]

If by on/off you mean these, http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=818 , I wouldn't take the chance. They are really unreliable and hard to keep up with! If you get one of those, then you will be changing the settings ALOT.

Have a good day.

 

[cornsnakekid92]

i ment more of the Ranco

 

[bpkid]

Oh, then nevermind. Sorry

 

[denowt]

I have mine set up similar to what you are asking for my corns until I get another proportional thermostat. I have a dimmer switch set to just above my target temp. Then I have the on/off thermostat control the temperature swing. Currently, the room temp varies between 76F and 80F, and the tub temp stays around 85, heat tape swings between 84 and 86.

 

[replover]

So I take it from your replies that with on/off thermostats the temps will not be 100% exact but will fluctuate about 2 - 3 degrees up and down. Right?
That should be fine as far as temps control.

Does it make the flexwatt burn out faster though? By being switched on and off all the time?
Is there any difference safety wise?

 

[denowt]

I've found if you put the probe on the flexwatt, and set it to say 83F. The actual temp of the flexwatt will swing from ~82F-84F. The actual temp in the tub will swing ~82.5F-83.5F. From what I've read, corns can easily handle up to a 5 degree swing.
If I eliminate the thermostat, my flexwatt would heat up to ~87F. With the dimmer cranked down this low, it takes awhile for the flexwatt to heat back up to 84. So in my case, the flexwatt is actually on most of the time, somewhat eliminating the constant on/off action.
All this being said, after I sell some snakes(hopefully next year), I'll probably buy another proportional thermostat for my corns. I already have one for my ball pythons and love the way it works. Digital temp readout is great. Just set the temp where you want, and about 30 minutes later, it's good to go. There's no turning the dial up/down to get the temp just right. Simply set it and forget it.

 

[replover]

Denowt, for that tub to flexwatt temp difference, how many inches is the tub away from your flexwatt?
Is that 11 inch?