Reptile & Amphibian Forums

are they and their lapms affected by diffrent voltages? i live in europe but i am getting them from usa. in usa the voltage is 120 and here it is 240. would it affect their work?

are thei durables? is it better to get a 150 watt one instead of a 100 one and use a dimmer with it?

also did anyone use ZOO MED REPTI TEMP 500R THERMOSTAT WITH REMOTE SENSOR.... is it good?

thanks for the help. i need it

Don't plug it directly into an outlet, you will cause damage to something... Depending on what CHE you are using, several things could happen...

- You could burn yourself
- Something will catch on fire
- The CHE will definitely be destroyed

If you want to use it in Europe, you will have to use a transformer in order to do so. A cheap transformer will do, as long as it can handle the wattage that you're planning on using.
Since the CHE or the lamp will most likely not have any electronic parts to it, you only need to transform the voltage from 220/240 to 115/120...
However, if you're planning on using a lamp that has a timer or something similar, you will need a more expensive transformer specifically designed for electronic equipment. These will transform the voltage as described above, plus it will transform the cycles from 60Hz to 50Hz... If you don't use this type of transformer for electronic equipment, it will not function properly (the clock will go faster, slower, etc) and you could also ruin the electronic equipment...
If you have any other questions, just let me know...

~ Miguel

thanks... things are so expensive where i live that i can get them for a third of the price from usa. however which is the problwm exactly; the CHE , the lamp ( holder and socket and reflector) or the thermostat?

the lamp is just a holder for the CHE and is don't see how it should be affected. if i am right i might buy just those from usa.

as CHE is ... ????... is it affected?

as for the thermostat i think its the most affected. i might buy one from here.

could u give me your opinion and confirm that i am on the right path, or not.

thanks a realllly lot buddy!!!!

Industrial thermostats like the Ranco ON/OFF type have 120/240 inputs already. The porportional controllers though must be purchased for one or the other in most cases. However, www.omega.com sells controllers that are 120/240 capable already.

CHEs sold in the US are for 120. Don't use 240 on them. However, using 120 on a 240-rated bulb is OK (you'll just get less heat), but not 240 on a 120-rated bulb.

The reflector and socket sold in the US are rated for 120. Although they can probably easily handle 240, you would be violating the rating.

I would definitely stick with products from where you are from.