Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello again everyone!

So I've been convinced into using radiant heat panels for my new snake setup. I think I'm going to go with these ones - http://www.reptilebasics.com/reptile-basics-40-watt-radiant-heat_panel.html

But I also came across these in my search -
http://www.bigappleherp.com/Big-Apple-Desert-Rays-Radiant-Heat-Panels

Has anyone ever used these before. I searched for the product in google and didn't find much information other than they don't seem to work as well as real radiant heat panels. My cage is going to have 6 different sections, all with a floor space of 2x4 but the bottom two will be 18 inches tall and the top four will be 12 inches tall. I'm thinking of using the radiant heat panels in the bottom two and trying the Big Apple heat panels in the top four. Since the heat from the bottom two cages is probably going to warm up the sections above slightly I'm wondering if I could get away with something slightly less efficient and powerful. But I'm also thinking that I don't want to waste my money on something that won't work...

I use reptile basics and they are great. I've got 3 set up and anouther 6 should be delivered today

I'm going to order 3 from them in a few weeks when I have a bit more money : ) How long do they usually last for? Do they come with a warranty?

The Big Apple panels are really heat pads with a higher power density. They work well in small cages for small snakes, but are not suitable for larger snakes in larger cages.

The RBI panels ought to last many years, more than any CHE. I have a similar panel (looks like the same heater element as an RBI panel) that I have used off and on for over 10 years. No problem. The heater will turn yellow a bit. No worries.
-----
Mark

Okay so now that I'm set on radiant heat panels and I'm planning on getting the 40w ones from Reptile Basics, I need to decide what type of thermostats to use. Eventually I'm going to have 12 enclosures, so I'm guessing that I have to have 12 thermostats. Most of the thermostats that I've looked at can take 2-3 heating devices, but since there is only one probe I could only set the temperature to one specific cage...

The proportional thermostats are way out my budget, especially if I have to get 12 of them! Anyone have any opinions on the thermostat by Big Apple or Zoo Med? Any other brands that one can recommend that are in the $30-$40 range?

Yes, the army of ants approach is better than a single elephant, but we can't afford a proportional on each cage. So a few rhinos may be a good compromise.

One solution:
Spyder Electronics makes a 4-channel proportional controller - one box, 4 probes. So the one controller handles 4 cages. That is a really good solution for you.

Another solution:
RHPs are very reliable. So you could use a single-channel proportional controller with one probe in one cage and plug in other same-size cages to it. So maybe buy 2 proportional controllers to handle the 6 cages. Just remember that the probe is in one of the cages. If you leave the door open on that cage, or unplug that cage's heater, the controller will sense cooler temps and command more power to all of the connected heaters. A good approach is to mark the "control cage" so you know not to unplug that heater unless you move the probe to another cage.

Proportional controllers are best for RHPs. ON/OFF controllers are not meant to cycle all day long.

Another approach:
Plug 2 similar cages (the RHPs in cages of the same size) into a dimmer. For 6 cages that is 3 dimmers. Plug the input power of those into an outlet strip. Plug the input of the outlet strip into an ON/OFF controller like a Ranco. Place the probe in one of the cages. Set the Ranco (ON/OFF) to a high temp safety cutoff value, like 82 deg on the cool side.
-----
Mark

Could I plug several RHP's into a power strip and then plug that into a proportional thermostat?

If found the manual for the Helix DBS 1000 Thermostat online. It says you can plug in a standard power strip if you need more than 3 plugs as long as you don't go over 500 watts. I think I'm going to start with one of these and then gradually add more. Thanks for all your help!

I think that is a very good start. You will love the proportional controller.

6 cages at 40 watts each is 240 watts total. You could plug in ALL 6 cages if you wanted. However, I think it is best to go fewer per controller especially if some cages differ in volume.
-----
Mark