Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In my case I am concerned about temps in the snake house. I am looking into a good proportional. The DBS 1000 - looks ok, I may have to get a few to run different racks.. Does the 1000 stand for the watts you can run through it? For two racks I will be running 3" flex watt, the third will have 1 foot lengths of 11" flex watt.
Thanks,
-Blue

Hi Blue!
The Helix DBS 1000 has a maximum output of 500 watts. I don't remember right off-hand what the Flexwatt wattage is per foot for each size tape so you'll have to look that up & see how many racks you can run off of one thermostat.

I believe it's really a matter of preferrence whether you use one unit for multiple racks or one unit per rack. I would look at Spyder Robotics' Herpstat thermostats, too. With the Herpstat II and Herpstat Pro you can run & monitor several racks/cages with one unit.

Some people like having one unit per rack/cage in case a unit malfunctions you don't have all of your eggs in one basket (so to speak). As far as Helix versus Herpstat - I believe that it's like the ol' Ford vs Chevy debate. I use both of them and have no complaints about either one.

I use one of those radiator type of heaters with a thermostat on it for my reptile room heat and let the Helix & Herpstats do their thing for the racks & cages.

Catch ya later!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

3" Flexwatt is 10 watts per foot. Multiply 10 times the number of feet of 3" Flexwatt used. That is your total wattage for the 3" stuff.

The 11-inch is 20 watts per foot. So if you have 6 pieces at 1ft, that is 120 Watts.

I think having one controller per rack is better for a few reasons. Also, for a controller rated 500 watts, I think it is better not to run say 490 watts through it. In other words, don't push the wattage rating on the controller. Keep the loads well under. If that means mutiple controllers, so be it.

In general, proportional controllers are best for bottom heat and for heaters like heat panels and CHE's. Probe must go above the heater or very near (bottom heat) or else below the basking spot or very near that for overhead heaters.
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Mark

I think I have my plan set. Now for all hard work.
-Blue