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Just got a Vision CB70 rack w/ a Ranco thermostat, but have NO idea how to set it up! What do you do with the probes at the end of the heat cable, and at the end of the gray cable attached to the thermostat? Where exactly should the probes be placed on the rack? Any help will be GREATLY appreciated!!

i just got a ranco thermo also
i put my probe on the cool side and have it set at 80
my corns are always on the cool side so i may drop it down to
78

I agree, set it to 78.

Check the temp of your heaters. Rancos are ON or OFF, no inbetween. So your heaters may be at full blast. Some heaters have low watt density and so full blast is OK, but not all.

You can place a dimmer in-line with the Ranco output. This way, you can adjust the power going to the heater while still using the Ranco for your safety control.

>>i just got a ranco thermo also
>>i put my probe on the cool side and have it set at 80
>>my corns are always on the cool side so i may drop it down to
>>78
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Mark

Probes at the end of the heat cable? You mean, the plug?

Does your Ranco have an outlet strip wired to it already?
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Mark

Thanks for the replies! Basically there's a gray cord coming out the top of the ranco, which has a little black probe at the end of it. And on the brown heat cable, one end is the plug, and the other is another brown probe. I'm just wondering what exactly I suppose to do with these 2 probes. (I'm assuming that's what they are, they're NOT plugs) Sorry for the dumb questions, but this is my first rack and thermostat, and just trying to figure everything out so I can get it right the first time. Thanks again!

The brown "probe" on the heat cable is not a sensor. It is the end of the heat cable, where they terminate the conductors. Insulation only. It doesn't heat up either. You tape it wherever out of the way.

The gray Ranco probe is the heat sensor to tell the Ranco what the temp is. You place that where you want to control the temp. Some people place it on the heated area of the rack, some in the middle, some in the cool area.

With ON/OFF controllers like Rancos, I place the probe near the heater but not on it. I have a good reason for this, but I'll spare you the details.

So, place the probe somewhere, set the Ranco for the max temp you want to see where the probe is. Set the differential (diff between the OFF temp and back ON temp) somewhere between 2-4 degrees usually.
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Mark

Thanks Mark I really appreciate the help! So you recommend setting the ranco at 78 (for Ball's) and placing the probe near, but not on the heat? Thanks again!

I urge you to experiment until you achieve what is best for the snakes. Ball pythons can handle higher ambient temps than cornsnakes for longer periods. For BPs, you may want to set the Ranco to 88 deg and put the probe right over the heat, or else set it at 82 deg and set the probe near the heat. It all depends on your ambient room temps. Try stuff out. Be safe. Consult ball python breeders.
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Mark

Hey thanks again Mark you've been a huge help!