Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm new in to all this and looking for a Thermostat. Thanks to all of you i now know not to even think about the BAH-1000SC or the Zoo Med 500R thermostat. I have been looking at the Johnson Controlers and the Ranco. Is one any better than the other and are they the on and off tipe? or how do they keep the desire temp. Ones more thaks for the help.

Sorry i just found out that they are on and off. Since i'm going to use 3" fw will it be a good idea to use one of this or it is a better idea to get myself something else.

Hi,I have a Ranco and I am running 5 32qt racks on the same thermo stat. My buddy has been running the same one for 9 years! Ranco's are GREAT!!!!!!!!!!

I have racks that I originally built for heat cable-- but now i'm going with flexwatt straight down the back-- one solid peice---

Regarding Tstats--- Does it make a difference with the On/OFF control with flexwatt...

I really like them both-- I'm looking at:
Johnson controls: http://www.reptilebasics.com/Johnson-Controls-Thermostat-Pre-Wired-p-16178.html

and the ranco: http://www.reptilebasics.com/Ranco-ETC-111000-Pre-Wired-p-16172.html

I am also seeing the one with a night drop feature.... ?
Could someone post or send me a link to the tstat(s) you're using by one of these brands... I'd appriciate it...

Thanks

Beth
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

Johnson controls A419 has an input that can be used like a nightdrop i believe.. otherwise they are very similar

Amador , go back to your original post and read the last post I wrote . Thanks David

Truth is generally the best vindication against slander
Abraham Lincoln.

i use flexwatt in all of my racks and have both johnson and ranco thermostats on them. both are very reliable and are quite similar. id have to say that the rancos are a little easier to use but would recommend either one.

I would also look at spyderrobotics that is what I use and has a night drop
http://www.spyderrobotics.com/store/index.php

ive got 2 syperobtics herpstats and am very happy with them

Reptile Basics is a great company to do business with. I believe the owner's name is Rich. It is a small company so you get the owner when you call. I have bought many Johnsons from him, and reccomended him to others.

I have never used a Ranco, I think they are probably fine but I have no experience with them. The big advantage with the Johnson is the night drop. It is a feature built in to the Johnson. It requires an external control that he builds himself, it is well worth the money.

Johnsons or Rancos can control 1500 watts, that is a lot of heat tape or cable. It can also control a room heater. With the night drop on a room heater you have easy control of your room.

Mike

Johnson Control are great. They have a sensor failure mode on them in case something happens it will shut the heat off. You just have to switch it so it shuts it down. Very easy to do.
Reptiles Basics is great as well. I bought 3 JCs from them at the show here in NC.
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Thanks and Take Care
Thomas Jones
sweetpetsshop2@yahoo.com

Mike referred me to Rich. I bought some stuff for an incubator I was building. Rich was a great help. I plan on doing lots more business with Rich in the future. Thanks to Mike.
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Education is Everything.......

I have used the johnson controls and have been very happy with them . As someone else mentioned set the sensor failure mode to shut off! It has two choices shut down or full on, If you dont check this and it is set to full on if your sensor does fail it will turn the tape or heater on wide open.
West Coast Pythons