Another Thermostat Thread

[RosieReal]

So!! With the addition of the BRB's I've decided its time to upgrade the t-stats. I wanted some advice and really was not having any luck with the search function here (just not finding the answers I was looking for) so I appologize if this is a repete thread.
Anyway, the corn and the BP are both on homemade dimmers at the moment, which work fine..but I do worry simply because they are homemade electronics and that in its self makes me nervous. I'd like to replace them.
I am planning on ordering from lllreptile in the next couple weeks, so I was hoping that somepeople would have an opinion on this website. I'm going to have a poke around on Fauna too (I forgot about checking there before posting here). My main motivation for LLL is the shipping seems less expensive than reptilesupply or beanfarm or bigappleherp, while they still have all the stuff i'm looking for. I've decided on a Helix for the BRB enclosure when it gets here. I cannot afford more than one helix at the moment, and the other t stats they offer are the Alife 1000watt, Zilla 500 or 1000 temp controler, or zoomed reptitemp 500R.
Any opinons? suggestions? other websites, or opinons on this one?
any and all input is always appreciated.

 

[l0ck_0ff]

i have used the zilla 500 and the repti temp 500 r. they work great!!! i took mine back to get lamp dimmer though. no problems lol i just wanted to save money. (i used them on my leopard gecko) but yes they do work great. and the alife is a good one too. my brother in law has that one.

websites.
www.HerpSupplies.com
www.reptiledirect.com/

good luck

 

[ghosthousecorns]

Ranco is what I use very reliable, at $80 a bit less spendy than the herpstat and helix but way more trustworthy than the cheapie ones http://www.reptilebasics.com/ranco-etc-111000_pre-wired.html

 

[ratsncorns]

I have a ranco (which works great), an alife (which also works pretty good), and one herpstat (which works the best). IMO you should never go with the cheapest because you get what you pay for. I usually go mid-range, which is why I have the ranco. I could never completely trust my alife so don't use it, but I use the ranco and herpstat.

I second for the ranco. Its a great thermostat that is moderately priced.

 

[RosieReal]

Jen I tried to rep you...but I've apparently repped you too much...lol
Thanks to all. the ranco seems like the best option and while I've heard of it I kind of forgot about it when shopping...lol thanks everyone!!

 

[RosieReal]

...although it doesnt look like reptile basics will ship for me. I just get this message: "there is no shipping option available for this address"
Guess I gotta keep looking.

 

[snowman86]

What model of Ranco are you looking at? Depending on what your wanting you can probably find a connection through a local HVAC shop and get one even cheaper than you can order one for. The other option I would suggest is a Love controller...yet another brand such as Ranco who aren't as known of in reptile circles. I have used them and Ranco for years and have never had one fail.

 

[snowman86]

Links

http://www.dwyer-inst.com/Products/Product.cfm?Group_ID=402&Product_ID=706&sPageName=Ordering

I would suggest the TS13010 single stage 110v (115v) costs $65.00
or a better buy is the TSS2 dual stage in the same voltage configuration, this would give you the same as two contollers for only $69.00...

The only draw back to these controllers is that that the dual doesn't come with temp probes while I believe the single still does. You also would need to wire the units but it's VERY easy to do as the connection points are push connections.

I have used these controllers for years and they are rock solid units.

 

[snowman86]

http://www.dwyer-inst.com/Products/Product.cfm?Group_ID=303&Product_ID=551&sPageName=Ordering

link to probes, not expensive... Take a look.

 

[RosieReal]

Thanks! I'll let you guys know what I end up with.