Thermostats

[Haroldo]

Alright everybody, I just got hired for a new job, so my dream of getting a chondro will be coming true fairly soon. I know that Helix is a timeless original with great applications, but I was wondering what you guys thought about other higher end proportional t-stats, like "Herpstat and Johnsons Controls." I realize that a chondro is an expensive purchase by itself, and I don't want to settle on "okay" products, so those who have experience with those three t-stats, I'm asking for your help. I also would really appreciate if those that keep chondros specifically, would speak up on this inquiry. Thanks in advance. :D

[sputnik]

I use Rancos, not much diff between a ranco and a johnsons. My Woma's cage and GTP are under the watchful eye of the ranco. Never had a probelm with it.

Don't use those cheap $30 Alife 1000's or the ESU, or there is another one (Can't think of its name). They are all the same cheap crap made in china with different logos on the front.

They fail, they kill reptiles by failing to switch off the heat and basically cook them.

Make your choice a good one, what you pay is what you get. If you pay good money for reptiles, then there is no reason why you shouldn't pay good money for heat control!

Just my view!

[Haroldo]

Thanx Scott, keep 'em coming people! :D

[Joker]

The Johnson controls seem to be doing good here. I believe in the whole you get what you pay for thing too.
Joker

[sircat]

congrats on the job...good luck

[Haroldo]

thanx. I start training monday as a cashier/tank cleaner. I know it sucks, but down here, the jobs that pay more than minimum wage want you 40+ hours a week and I can't give them that@!

[sircat]

I wouldn't make enough in a pet shop though that would be fun and it's really hard trying to find an entry level job now

[Haroldo]

Hey, I won't really make enough either. Let's just say, I've already taken care of my rent for the next 5 months and bills down here are nothing! :wink: I'll make enough to pay for my reptiles and hopefully the note for another car.

[sircat]

lol...sounds good enough...in a couple weeks I'll need to take whatever job I can get too...oh well, but maybe then it'll be a pet shop lol...if only they weren't such buggers to get to from where I am

[Detroit Boas]

I would have to say that GCS make very very good thermostats....Control 4 different heat elements at the same time...very nice.. 8)

[sircat]

wow, jeremy out of nowhere

[sputnik]

Only 4?

With a Johnson or Ranco you have a 6 outlet power board wired up to the thermostat. So you have a min of 6 to start with!

I have run up to 20 different heat sauces off one Ranco because of their high capacity.

[alexhue]

Scott...
I think Jeremy was trying to say that the GCS controls 4 zones. You can plug a 6 plug surge protector into each one of the 4 outlets and create 24 controlled units/tape that can simultaneously be controlled 4 different ways.

for example... you keep one of the 4 zones at 85 degrees, another at 90...etc.

The rancos and johnsons can control quite a bit of wattage...but its all on the same "zone" temp.

[jlconstrictors]

I have been using Johnsons Controls for a while "I Love them" they work great :!:
And they inexpensive I think I paid about $75 maybe $80 a piece for them.

However, Now I am interested in GCS controls after Alex’s post :!:
So, who has them for sale, and how much are they, were do I get one :?: Do they have a web site :?:

[AussieDragons]

I think I paid about $75 maybe $80 a piece for them.


Controlsdepot.com sells Johnson Controls and Ranco thermostats for under $50 ea.

[jlconstrictors]

Boy, Thats great to know............A little late now :oops: :D :oops: :D

[jlconstrictors]

I check out that web site and to me it looks like you have to build it your self :(
I think for now I will stick to buying them prebuilt. But, it’s nice know I can buy spare parts :!:

[sputnik]

Thanks Alex, it sounded kinda weird. I wasn't trying to start a thermostat war! :shock: :D

[AussieDragons]

I check out that web site and to me it looks like you have to build it your self

Yes, you have to wire a power strip into the thermostat yourself. It takes about 10 minutes, a phillips screwdriver, and a wire stripper. There's really no reason to pay an extra $20-30 for that.

[jlconstrictors]

In your total, you left out paying for the "power strip" and "Shipping"
Also, I think the probe was not included. (The one I was looking at)
Most, people can buy them prebuilt at shows and not pay "Shipping"

[AussieDragons]

I guess it all depends on how you look at it and what you want to do. :D

Ranco ETC-111000: $46.71
(this part number comes standard with a temperature sensing probe)

Johnson Controls JOHA419ABC-1C: $49.67
(this part number comes standard with a temperature sensing probe)

Last time I ordered a single thermostat from Controlsdepot.com, shipping was approx. $4.00 for UPS ground.

You can buy a power strip at Wal-Mart for $4.00. You'll also need a grommet, which will cost less than $1.00 at Home Depot.

So...

For the Ranco:

$46.71
$4.00
$4.00
$1.00

Total: $55.71

You'll notice in my original post I stated that Controlsdepot.com sells Johnson Controls and Ranco thermostats for under $50 ea. As I have outlined above, they do sell these thermostats for less than $50 ea. The power strip and shipping are not part of the thermostat. :wink:

I'm not so sure about "most people" being able to buy them at shows... Personally, I've never been to a show that had either of the above mentioned thermostats available. But that's a great idea, and I will probably bring half a dozen or so of each unit to our next local show - wired up and ready to use for the low low price of... heck, maybe $85. :)

Obviously, we are all different people, and have different needs, abilities, and comfort levels. I like to save a little money, and do things myself if possible (this is why I build all my own cages and racks). Not everyone is comfortable connecting a power strip to a thermostat, or working with electrical devices, period. For those people, I would recommend purchasing a unit that is ready to use, as this will be easier and safer for them. Unfortunately, they'll have to pay a bit more for that unit.

[jlconstrictors]

You can buy a power strip at Wal-Mart for $4.00. You'll also need a grommet, which will cost less than $1.00 at Home Depot.

Come on now, Are you trying to burn your house down with the cheapest power strip on the market...... :D
(I am not saying the premade units are any better.)

Obviously, we are all different people, and have different needs, abilities, and comfort levels. I like to save a little money, and do things myself if possible (this is why I build all my own cages and racks). Not everyone is comfortable connecting a power strip to a thermostat, or working with electrical devices, period. For those people, I would recommend purchasing a unit that is ready to use, as this will be easier and safer for them. Unfortunately, they'll have to pay a bit more for that unit.


"I Agree completely with that".......... :D

[sircat]

yeah, I would have no idea what I was doing and wouldn't want to mess up...I'd want to be sure and just be able to plug things in...
I'm better once someone shows me...I'd like to build a cage at some point, but would need visuals and good directions...I can put together ikea stuff, no problem...but the electrical stuff to me is different and I'd rather be overly careful

[justcage]

Good ol henry @ controls depot..lol I used to order from them when I first making the JC's snd the rancos.. The problem is that they were usuall y never in stock and the shipping is freakin crazy! I ordered 2 rancos for 47.00 and the shipping was 12 and change.. I have since moved on to factory direct orders since the shipping is free.. You just have to order 2K woth of tstats..lol.. Thanks alot of stuff!!! Oh and dont forget the wire nuts... and a 12/3 power cord....
-Matt

[Blink]

I bought a Ranco and Johnson thermostats from Matt (Justcage)
I'm happy with my purchases, I wouldn't be able to wire them myself, and if I did manage to wire them myself, I wouldn't trust my wiring.

I also was afraid to get flexwatt, do to the fear of burning down the house with it.
Matt does a REALLY good job on the wiring, and I trust he won't burn my house down. :lol:

[justcage]

Hey thanks I appricate that!

[Blink]

Just purchased tons of Flexwatt from Justcage. W0ot.
:D

I'd say I can't wait for it to ship, but in reality it doesn't matter.
Since I'm lazy to start building the racks.

[justcage]

hahah i hear ya on that one.. I complain while putting together AP racks..lol