• Hello!

    Either you have not registered on this site yet, or you are registered but have not logged in. In either case, you will not be able to use the full functionality of this site until you have registered, and then logged in after your registration has been approved.

    Registration is FREE, so please register so you can participate instead of remaining a lurker....

    Please be certain that the location field is correctly filled out when you register. All registrations that appear to be bogus will be rejected. Which means that if your location field does NOT match the actual location of your registration IP address, then your registration will be rejected.

    Sorry about the strictness of this requirement, but it is necessary to block spammers and scammers at the door as much as possible.

ZooMed Rheostat (Argh)

J

jaws

New member
I was using a heating mat plugged into a ZooMed rheostat to regulate temperature. Or at least, I thought I was. Whenever I turn it on to the very lowest setting, the temperature jumps to over 90 (too hot) and when I turn it off it drops to mid-70s (too cool). I've been trying to turn it off and on so the temperature doesn't climb any higher than 90 or lower than 70, but I can't be around all the time. What are some other options for regulating the heat of the heating pad? Anything I can get at a hardware store, or am I going to have to order online? Thanks in advance.

(Correction, that should be a ZooMed rheostat.)
 
Last edited:
I went to home depot and got what they call a dimmer. You can just plug the heat pad into it and its got a little slide like for a light that you can use to adjust the amount of electricity that goes into the heat pad. The good thing about them is that you can then set it any where within the pads range. If you use a thermometer in the tank, it is easy to see where the slider should be to achieve the temps you want at any time of day.
 
I make my own rheostats using a standard electrical dimmer switch, an electrical box, and an extension cord. (Net cost at Loew's or Home Depot < $15.) I use this to control 11" flexwatt on my BRB cages and can adjust the temps down to 75-80F or room temperature.
 
Jaws, I am using the Zoo Med Rheostat on one of my enclousers too. And, I have had the same problems that you are experiencing. Thanks for posting this here. now hopefully we will get some ideas, these that are here, and others too on what we can do.
 
Someone else on here posted that there is a device called the ESU Electronic Reptile Temperature Controller for about $30 which works well at maintaining a constant temperature by turning on/off your heating device/UTH when necessary. I am also currently using a Rheostat and have to constantly change the temp, so I am going to look for an ESU controller this weekend.
 
Same problem with the zoomed rheostat here. Lowest setting just isn't low enough. Problem with the ESU thermostat is that it is an on/off type. When it is on your heat pad is getting full power until it turns off again. A dimmer is a good option unless you can get a proportional thermostat.
 
If you can afford the extra expense I'd recommend just biting the bullet and getting a good thermostat. With what you've already spent you're already 1/2 way toward a top of the line unit. Just a thought.......
 
Hmm,

I have a ZooMed Reptitemp Rheostat (deluxe 500) connected to a ceramic heat bulb for our Royal and it works great. I've not used them on heat pads before but I can adjust the temp within 1-2 degrees F. on a ceramic bulb and it stays there. If only one of you was reporting a problem, I would say the rheostat may be defective. Perhaps they just don't work well with heat mats or your brand of heat mat?

Cheers,
Jason
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top