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Thermostat Question/Idea

Nanci

Nanci

Alien Lover
Although the ZooMed 500R is working fine for me on five vivs, I am considering using a proportional thermostat on my two new cages.

http://tinyurl.com/fa2z

My problem is, I can only afford one $120 thermostat. Is there a way to rig this thermostat to control two UTHs, say by plugging both UTHs into a powerstrip, and then plugging the powerstrip into the thermostat?

http://www.mgreptiles.com/Ranco.html

Looks like Ranco is already doing something similar.

Or, this http://tinyurl.com/6kgg6 seems ok, and is inexpensive, although I don't believe it is proportional, but is that such a big deal, or do I just not know enough about thermostats to not know proportional _is_ a big deal? It has a safety shut off based on temp.

http://www.mgreptiles.com/HERPSTAT1.html

Then there is the Herpstat line, which seem to have a lot of features, maybe more than I need? But I like the digital read out. And again, it's still slightly over $200 to control two UTHs.

Any opinions? Any great thermostats (that I can afford) that I missed?

Thanks,

Nanci
 
I know it is possible to use more than one mat on one stat using a multiplug or adapter IF:

1. You don't exceed the total wattage of the thermostat
2. The mats are of similar size and wattage.
 
Lennycorn solved my problem! The Herpstat can control _three_ devices, is proportional, has digital read out, and is only $108!! Rates a "5" on the comparison chart.

Thanks Lenny!

Nanci
 
Nanci,
Heres what I use, a Johnsons Control thermostat with the six plug power strip connected to it. I can run 6 different racks from one unit. Works great. I have been using that setup for about a year now. Only one probe but if your racks are well insulated (mine are) it doesnt matter.
Hope that helps :)
Michelle
 
I read about someone else using Johnsons in my search. Which model do you use?

Thanks,

Nanci
 
I'm not sure what model # it is, but I got it from MG Reptiles (the site that is linked above) and he wired it to the power strip. If you go to that site and click on Johnsons, you will see my thermostat and he also still has the option to buy it with the strip for $73.99.
I needed it because it can handle up to 1500 watts which is 1000 more than the Herpstat(only handles 500).
 
I got the ranco from MG reptiles and it works perfectly. But then again I only I have one rack. I guess this wasnt helpful but I felt the need to contribute for some reason, LOL
 
No, I think it's great to have all the opinions on all the models collected in one thread.

The total wattage I will be plugging in, two 11x11 Ultratherms, is 28 watts.

I will probably put the tortoises on it, too- not sure what theirs is, but I think it's an 8x12 Reptitherm. Don't know the wattage, but their largest pad is 24. So, not using a rack, I don't think 500 watts is going to be my limiting factor!

Nanci
 
Hehe yea I should remember not everyone aspires to be a breeder of mass quantities, lol! Small collections do not require that much wattage, but for me its a must.

:)
 
I'm trying not to get carried away. I have 10 herps, with the 11th waiting for the cages to arrive, and two birds. I will have _one_ empty cage. I am 99% sure what is going in it. I can't breed, because I'd have a hard time selling the babies, I think.

Although I _am_ experiencing baby fever along with everyone else now that doesn't have breeders this time of year. I keep hoping it's like what I told my best friend Sue back when we didn't either of us have children- you get the urge, but if you wait- it goes away.

I want to be able to go away for the weekend. I want to be able to have a personal relationship with everyone. If I had a rack- OMG- the floodgates would be opened.

(Don't think about tax refund, don't think about tax refund!!)

Nanci
 
THE JOHNSON CONTROLS a419

Isa great stat i use it on my cages and have run two stacks of boas off one stat. On the cages you are getting there are several ways to control the heat on the cages with the UTH

Placing a table "Lamp" dimmer on the pads will enable you to dial the pads to the exact temp you want / need them to be at this will mean the pads likely will never have to run full bore which will mean a thermostat plugged inline in theory SHOULDN'T be clicking on & off all the time if its a on/Off unit. One thing to also keep in mind is that being the corns etc going in them are a more forgiving species when it comes to temps and the temp range they go into you can just about use dimmers alone on the cages and with the use of a temp gun dial them in and not have to worry about a thermostat device even if the pads are wdie open i have never had any get to hot for any cage they have been on and a 11x11 definately wont get overheated in a 2x2x1 cage. just some food for thought there .
Alan
 
Nanci said:
No, I think it's great to have all the opinions on all the models collected in one thread.

The total wattage I will be plugging in, two 11x11 Ultratherms, is 28 watts.

I will probably put the tortoises on it, too- not sure what theirs is, but I think it's an 8x12 Reptitherm. Don't know the wattage, but their largest pad is 24. So, not using a rack, I don't think 500 watts is going to be my limiting factor!

Nanci
Click to expand...

Can plug UTHs into power strip or its 3 outlet extension and use herpstat for multiple tanks. Only one temp probe so different UTH sizes/watts or different sized enclosures may heat up different from control tank.
 
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